Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) announced two initial investors for its broadband wireless access (BWA) venture in India. Global Holdings, the parent company of tower company GTL Infrastructure, and Tulip Telecom, an enterprise data services specialist, are investing $28.9 million each, which translates into a 13 percent stake for each company in the new business.
During the BWA spectrum auction, Qualcomm secured licenses in four service circles: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala and Haryana. It plans to build a TD-LTE network and is required to use local partners to operate the networks. After the networks are established, Qualcomm has said it will exit the venture as a way to grow TD-LTE.
With local partners in hand, Qualcomm can now apply for an Internet service provider. Then it will aim to broker more relationships that will see wireless operators helping Qualcomm launch commercial services.
"We are in talks with all the operators having 3G HSPA and EV-DO networks, which protects and enhances the investment made by the Indian operators in securing 3G and BWA spectrum," stated Kanwalinder Singh, president of Qualcomm India and South Asia, during a press conference.
It's unclear whether Qualcomm will be the only Indian operator with BWA spectrum moving to TD-LTE immediately. It appears
Reliance Industries, India's industrial conglomerate that snatched up startup ISP Infotel Broadband Services after it won the lone nationwide BWA license for $2.74 billion, now plans to deploy WiMAX in the 2.3 GHz band instead of TD-LTE technology. Following the conclusion of the auction in June, Reliance indicated it would use TD-LTE technology.
For more:
- see this Light Reading Asia article
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