Once again, Qualcomm is acting as a technology enabler. The U.S.-based chip giant has filed an application with the Indian government to bid in India's upcoming auction for 2.3 GHz wireless broadband spectrum.
Qualcomm says it will use the spectrum to build out TD-LTE infrastructure in India, the world's fastest-growing wireless market. TD-LTE is the fourth-generation wireless standard being used by China and is compatible with WCDMA, HSPA and EV-DO standards.
Qualcomm's attempt to participate in India's broadband wireless access spectrum auction is complicated by the country's regulations of direct foreign investments. In a statement, Qualcomm made it clear that it intended to act only as a facilitator: If it wins the spectrum auction, Qualcomm plans to partner with an India-based operator to build a TD-LTE network and then exit the business.
The bulk of Qualcomm's sales come from technology licensing agreements. Qualcomm has a veritable monopoly on CDMA patents and is seeking to expand the market for its other intellectual property holdings as the global wireless market moves toward 4G technology.
Qualcomm is not the only wireless company going after the TD-LTE market. Both Motorola and Sequans are actively pursuing the TD-LTE market and have been chosen by China Mobile to deploy their respective TD-LTE networks and dongles at the World Expo in Shanghai.
The Shanghai World Expo, which begins in May, runs for six months and is expected to attract about 70 million visitors. The event covers 3.28 square miles, two square miles of which are enclosed in massive pavilions.