Qualcomm to finalise broadband equipment vendors by early 2011

NEW DELHI: US based Qualcomm, which has Broadband Wireless Access ( BWA) spectrum in four telecom circles in India, today said it is in talks with all major equipment vendors for setting up the networks and would finalise the deal by early next year.

"By early 2011, we will finalise the equipment vendor for BWA... We are in talks with Ericsson, Nokia-Siemens, Huawei, Alcatel and all the other operators," Qualcomm India and south Asia Head Kanwalinder Singh told reporters here.

Qualcomm acquired BWA spectrum in four circles -- Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala -- through auctions held in June.

The mobile chip maker recently sold 26 per cent stake in the Indian broadband unit to Tulip Telecom and Global Holdings for USD 57.72 million (about Rs 268 crore).

The move to induct partners was aimed at complying with the telecom licensing rules that mandate at least 26 per cent equity holding by an Indian company in a JV.