Qualcomm wins BWA spectrum in 2.3 GHz band for LTE in India

Qualcomm has won broadband wireless access spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band in India. Qualcomm was one of eleven bidders participating in the BWA auction and has provisionally won one, 20 MHz slot of spectrum in the circles of Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala. Qualcomm's final bid was INR 49.125 billion (USD 1.045 billion) and it will soon announce its Indian partners in compliance with the applicable Indian Foreign Direct Investment regulations. The company and its partners will work towards demonstrating LTE technology with the goal of creating LTE infrastructure and device ecosystem that, in concert with 3G networks and devices, will support India's broadband goals. Qualcomm's goal is to attract one or more experienced 3G HSPA and/or EV-DO operator partners into the venture for construction of an LTE network in compliance with the Indian government's rollout requirement for the BWA spectrum, and then to exit the venture. Qualcomm and its partners will decide the venture's strategy in due course.