Broadband Wireless Auction (BWA) Results

[kesav 127]

Nokia Siemens Networks readies TD-LTE for India

Nokia Siemens Networks is the first company to successfully demonstrate the Time Division Duplex version of LTE (TD-LTE) using broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum in India.

The first video call was made by Gurdeep Singh, chief operating officer of Aircel. The call was conducted with the 4G mobile technology running on commercial hardware at the Nokia Siemens Networks Bengaluru R&D facility. It marks an important milestone moving 2.3 GHz TD-LTE closer to commercial availability.

During the test, Nokia Siemens Networks demonstrated high-definition video streaming and three-way video conferencing. Using interoperable TD-LTE dongles from Samsung, the demo showcased a peak throughput speed of 110 megabits per second (Mbps) and low latency in the range of 10-20 milliseconds.

Todays demo reiterates our leadership and commitment to getting TD-LTE into new market. It also demonstrates our regional and global progress in this area, said Juha Lappalainen, head of mobile broadband sales at Nokia Siemens Networks. Our TD-LTE trials across the globe prove our capability in driving rapid commercial TD-LTE network deployments aimed at facilitating a new wave of advanced mobile broadband services.

This is an important milestone in building the TD-LTE ecosystem in India, added Urs Pennanen, head of India region, Nokia Siemens Networks. TD-LTE over the Broadband Wireless Access spectrum is important for the country, as it will allow operators to offer voice and data to the masses. We are ready to collaborate with partners to accelerate our progress toward a comprehensive deployment of TD-LTE in India.

source:: http://telecomtiger.com/Technology_fullstory.aspx?storyid=10139&flag=1&passfrom=topstory&section=S210

As per the news, it looks like Aircel is more or less decided on TD-LTE against WiMAX.

Edited October 22, 2010 by kesav

[Greatest 55]

^^^ great piece of information. Aircel has shown great interest according to various sources, that they will be testing, implementing and providing their 'keemti' Broadband wireless 10 MHz freq. dedicated towards LTE over WiMAX.

Hope others too implement LTE. Its a known and better technology than WiMAX I personally feel.

[kesav 127]

BWA MAP

[kesav 127]

Qualcomm to bow out of BWA ops in India

New Delhi: CDMA chipmaker Qualcomm which won broadband wireless spectrum (BWA) for four circles at Rs 4,912 crore is exiting the business. Since regulations bar sale of spectrum, Qualcomm will sell its company which acquired spectrum, in a move akin to Infotel Broadband’s acquisition by Reliance Industries after the auctions.

Qualcomm had decided to venture into the telecom services arena in India with its proprietary LTE-TD technology, a rival to WiMAX, promoted by Intel. However, the company intends to keep the LTE-LD flag flying even after its exit, insisting that a potential buyer use this technology.

The San Diego, California-based Qualcomm has always been a technology company working with mobile operators and device manufacturers, but not entering direct services. Its participation in BWA auctions was the first step towards this.

In a presentation to potential buyers, a copy of which is with FE, Qaualcomm says that it wants to sell 100% and is not interested in selling a minority stake. Since regulations cap foreign investment at 74%, Qaulcomm had divested 26% stake to GTL Infrastructure and Tulip Telecom for Rs 268 crore.

“In response to a number of inquiries Qualcom has received from various Indian wireless operators regarding the sale of Qualcomm's BWA spectrum, Qualcomm has prepared the outline of the terms and conditions under which it would be prepared to sell such spectrum,” the company said.

The company now plans to divide its arm which won the spectrum into four separate companies, or alternatively, into two, to make a complete exit. Qualcomm is looking at garnering a minimum of Rs 4,912 crore it paid for the spectrum and an undertaking that the buyer would use LTE-TD.

Qualcomm has BWA spectrum for Mumbai, Kerala, Delhi and Haryana. If it sells in two blocks, one company would comprise of the Mumbai and Kerala and the other Delhi and Haryana.

A Qualcomm spokesperson said that the company's stated position is to work with 3G and BWA operators and promote LTE-TD technology and then exit its India LTE venture. However, it cannot comment on details.

Analysts said that since the regulations do not permit spectrum sale, if Qualcomm wants to get out of operations it has no option but sell off the company. The government has not put any lock-in clause on the winners of either 3G and BWA spectrum.

Immediately after the auctions, Infotel which was the only company to acquire spectrum in all circles was acquired by RIL.

source :: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/qualcomm-to-bow-out-of-bwa-ops-in-india/702961/

A very very interesting move.

Obvious interested buyers would be Aircel and Airtel.

[kesav 127]

Govt not to intervene in Qualcomm’s plans to sell off BWA spectrum

The government on Sunday said it will not intervene in US-based Qualcomm's plans to sell their recently acquired wireless broadband, or BWA, spectrum to telcos, unless it infringes any rule.

DoT Secretary R Chandrasekhar, on the sidelines of PanIIT event, said, "No, not unless there is any infringement,” on asked whether the government will intervene. “We will not look into the matter, unless any infringement is brought to our notice,” added the Secretary.

Unlike in the telecom sector, there is no lock-in period for BWA licencees and they can sell their business at any time after acquiring licences.

Qualcomm had formed its India unit after its purchase of BWA spectrum in Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala for Rs 4,912.54 crore. The US giant, however, faces opposition from the forum promoting rival technology called Wimax for mobile broadband.

The Wimax forum claimed that Qualcomm used the auction process and the licence it has bagged as a tool to promote its own technology - TD LTE. The TD-LTE (time division-long term evolution) which is equivalent to the 4G technology faces competition from WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.

source :: http://telecomtiger.com/PolicyNRegulation_fullstory.aspx?storyid=10195&flag=1&passfrom=topstory&section=S174

[Karthik R 246]

Bharti Airtel may buy Qualcomm's BWA biz

Bharti Airtel is likely to buy yet-to-be-launched Indian wireless broadband business of Qualcomm, industry sources said. The US-based chip maker is set to be in discussions with the country's largest telecom operator to sell its BWA licences in all four circles, sources told ET NOW.

The valuation of the deal is likely to be around $1.2-1.3 billion, with a premium of 25-30%. Qualcomm has broadband wireless licences in four circles of Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala and Haryana and had paid $1.05 billion for these permits and airwaves.

"Qualcomm is not expecting much of a premium on these licences. It expects only a commitment from the operator that it will use its LTE TDD technology ," an industry source added.

ET Now had earlier reported that along with Bharti Airtel, Aircel was also in talks with Qualcomm to buy its wireless broadband business. Earlier, Bharti Airtel had shown interest for Delhi and Haryana, while Aircel had shown interest for Mumbai and Kerala circles. But ET NOW learns that Aircel, a unit of Malaysia's Maxis Communications has walked out of the deal because of various issues.

Qualcomm refused to confirm that it was selling to Bharti Airtel, but in an email statement said: "Qualcomm has publicly stated that it will work with 3G operators to develop the 3G+LTE ecosystem, commercially deploy LTE TDD in the broadband wireless spectrum, and then exit its India venture. Consistent with those goals, discussions with 3G operators in India on LTE TDD commercialisation and commercial discussions related to Qualcomm's broadband spectrum are indeed ongoing. These discussions are however confidential and Qualcomm cannot comment on speculation regarding specifics."

When contacted, the Bharti Airtel spokesperson said: "As per company policy, we do not comment on speculation."

Qualcomm is best known for pioneering the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, which is used by several mobile phone companies, including Reliance Communications , Tata Teleservices and Sistema-Shyam in India.

The San Diego-based company had earlier told Indian telecom companies that the buyer of its broadband permits will have to give an undertaking to use these airwaves only to offer services on the upcoming Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology.

Qualcomm's upcoming TD-LTE technology directly competes with Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), a platform that is being pushed by global giants such as Intel and Google.

The American chip maker has a history of participating in spectrum auctions to popularise and expedite the commercialisation of new technologies, and has successfully bid for airwaves in both the US and the UK.

Qualcomm India has Global Holding and Tulip Telecom as its India partners, each holding about 13% stake in the company. Both companies will also sell their stake, if Bharti Airtel is successful in buying the BWA licences of Qualcomm India.

Source : ET

[Karthik R 246]

Qualcomm may lose wireless broadband service permits in India

NEW DELHI: US-based chipmaker Qualcomm Inc may not get wireless broadband service permits in India as the telecom department has deemed its application to be invalid.

The company was the sole technology firm to win wireless broadband airwaves (BWA) in the June 2010 auction and had shelled out Rs 4,913 crore for permits in Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala.

But a senior official said the DoT is of the view that Qualcomm's bid is invalid as it did not apply for and acquire licences within three months of the auction. The department claims though the BWA auctions ended in June last year, Qualcomm applied for permits as late as December 2010.

After scrutinising its application, the DoT concluded 'this was beyond the validity period for applying and acquiring the relevant licence', said the official. He added Qualcomm has over the weekend been informed its application has been rejected.

The cancellation of permits will result in Qualcomm forfeiting nearly . 5,000 crore it had paid for its permits. But, a final decision on this amount will be taken only after evaluating the company's response.

Qualcomm rebuts telecom dept charges

Besides, the telecom commission, the apex decision-making body in the communications ministry, will also need to endorse the department's decision, following which it will go to telecom minister Kapil Sibal.

Qualcomm, however, says it has not received any communication from the government so far and has strongly rebutted the department's charges, claiming it had applied for mobile permits on August 9, 2010, well within the stipulated three-month window. The chipmaker also said it had invested $1 billion in India, one of the largest investments made by it so far outside the US.

"Since we have followed all the stipulated rules in both letter and spirit, we believe DoT should grant us licences immediately," the company said. The telecom department has also alleged that Qualcomm applied for BWA permits under the names of four different companies, in violation of the auction guidelines that clearly said winners could 'nominate only one company for obtaining a licence'.

But Qualcomm says, in their applications, these four companies explicitly stated that they were Qualcomm Inc nominees. "The DoT's letters dated November 30, 2010 and December 2, 2010 had directed these four companies to submit proof of them being Qualcomm's nominees, to which Qualcomm Inc responded on December 20.

Thereafter, DoT's licensing wing has been in touch with the four companies towards licence issuance. Also, Qualcomm Inc and these four companies have written several letters to DoT and requested it to expedite the licensing process.

Hence, we do not understand what this issue now is all about," the company said in response to an ET query. The Qualcomm spokesperson also said that auction conditions explicitly required new entrants to apply for separate licences in each of the specified service areas.

"Since it has not yet issued us the licence, and in the interest of expediting the licensing process, we have written to DoT on September 9, 2011, requesting as a compromise that DoT grant one licence instead of four.

Upon doing so, we would then merge the three other entities into the fourth, which would hold the licence," the spokesperson added. It was earlier reported that Bharti Airtel was likely to buy the yet-to-belaunched Indian wireless broadband business of Qualcomm.

Source : Times of India

[commonman 228]

the PMO would get a call from White House and every thing would be waved off.

[sougatadc 358]

BWA licence holders viz. will now be allowed to offer voice after paying Rs. 1658 crores pan-India

link: http://m.economictimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/telcos-with-4g-spectrum-can-offer-voice-calls-by-paying-1658-crore-more-move-to-benefit-ril/articleshow/18565617.cms

[commonman 228]

So road is clear for re-entry of Mukesh bhai in mobile world