Qualcomm picks up spectrum in UK

Qualcomm paid US$16.2 million for radio spectrum in the UK.

Qualcomm has acquired 40MHz (1452-1492 MHz) of L-Band radio spectrum recently auctioned by UK communications regulator Ofcom, at a cost of £8.33 million (US$16.2 million). Qualcomm says that it will work with collaboration partners to bring a variety of innovative wireless technologies to the UK market.

“Winning this licence creates an opportunity for Qualcomm to explore emerging business models and advanced mobile technologies,” said John Caterer, managing director, UK, Qualcomm Europe “If we can help the market to harness this potential, we will see additional opportunities for service providers using a variety of technologies. This will ultimately benefit consumers, offering them high quality services and a range of creative applications.”

The L-Band spectrum licence acquired by Qualcomm covers the entire UK and is technology neutral; thereby enabling the San Diego-based company to use the spectrum for innovative technologies, depending on its assessment of market needs in the UK. The spectrum has been released on a technology and service neutral basis, allowing the user the flexibility to decide what technology to use, what services to offer and to change their use of the spectrum over time. The licence issued is tradable.