The Wimax Forum, the industry body that oversees certification of Wimax equipment, has termed as "sabotage" an alleged move by US firm Qualcomm to sell its spectrum with the condition the buyers only use its own technology across the country. The government, however, said it will step in only if it can be shown that Qualcomm has broken the law.
"I can tell you that I have excellent visibility into the negotiations that the operators are engaged in," said Declan Byrne, director marketing for Wimax Forum, referring to the ongoing negotiations between mobile operators and Qualcomm over the sale of the latter's broadband licenses in four states.
Qualcomm, which had won 4 out of the 44 licenses auctioned by the government in May, had initially said it will hold its spectrum for two years, demonstrate the viability of TD-LTE -- its alternative to Wimax technology -- and then invite operators to join as strategic partners.
However, according to documents leaked last week, the US firm has altered its previous plans and decided to sell its four wireless broadband licenses -- Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala -- to operators immediately.
Qualcomm confirmed discussions with operators were ongoing, but did not comment further. "These discussions are however confidential and Qualcomm cannot comment on speculation regarding specifics," the company said in an emailed response to DNA.
Qualcomm did not respond to queries by DNA on whether it has changed its strategy and is trying to sell its licenses immediately.
While it was always expected to demand a commitment from the operators TD-LTE over Wimax in its four circles, Byrne said Qualcomm is now demanding that operators should deploy its technology -- and not Wimax -- at all the circles that they have spectrum in. Byrne said the Wimax Forum -- a body built by equipment vendors like Samsung, Intel, Motorola etc. -- is in constant touch with the operators as part of its efforts to ensure that they deploy the Wimax technology and not wait for TD-LTE to be ready in two years.
Operators are desperate to get their hands over the broadband spectrum held by Qualcomm, especially in Delhi and Mumbai, particularly as Qualcomm is learnt to be selling the spectrum without taking any profit.
However, buying the spectrum would require the operators to wait for TD-LTE technology before launching their broadband operations anywhere in the country.
Indian telecom policy does not support any particular technology and the licenses are given out as 'technology neutral' -- as the operators are free to use any technology that they find suitable.
Byrne said if an operator buys even one license from Qualcomm, the 'technology neutrality' of all the other licenses that it has bought directly from the government gets violated.
"They are trying to hijack the entire broadband wireless auction. The auctions were not intended to be used by a single company as a tool to nurture its technology which is at least 24 months away," Byrne said.
"If allowed to go on, this will set back the introduction of wireless broadband services in the country by at least two years," he added.
The government, however, maintained that it will not act against Qualcomm unless the company can be proved to have violated the license conditions. "No, not unless there is any infringement. We will not look into the matter, unless any infringement is brought to our notice," telecom secretaryR Chandrasekhar told PTI on the sidelines of the Pan-IIT conference in Delhi.
Comments