Qualcomm gears for LTE in India

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Qualcomm, one of the leading developers of next generation mobile technologies, yesterday at its IndiaOn 2011 event in New Delhi announced the collaboration with ZTE, Huawei, Quanta Computers and BandRich. The vendors launched TDD multi-mode devices based on Qualcomm’s MDM9*00 chipsets. The US-based wireless technology services provider has also launched a radiophone project.

As the LTE rollout is round the corner, the mobile technologies major sees huge opportunity in multi-mode devices. The launch led by Qualcomm demonstrates the readiness of ecosystem in adopting the 4G technology.

Dr Avneesh Agrawal, president at Qualcomm for India and South Asia said, “This announcement of multi-mode LTE TDD devices is a significant milestone for the commercialization and deployment of LTE in concert with 3G for Indian BWA operators.”

Qualcomm said that they strongly believe in the current market landscape and is committed to drive mobile broadband coverage through such partnerships.  Huawei said that network optimization with multi-mode devices is the key.

ZTE has launched LTE dongle, which it has already been launched in the US and China markets. “Now it’s time for India to experience LTE on ZTE devices,” the company said. Quanta Computers are already doing trials in Europe.

Quanta Computers has come up with a comprehensive portfolio that includes M2M modules, and indoor and outdoor modems. “Paul Jocobs, CEO, Qualcomm said that multi-mode devices are becoming critical as we offload data traffic through technological innovations. “We’ll continue to invest in all technologies in India,” added Jocobs.

Focus on low-cost devices:

Qualcomm believes that telecom industry is very significant and said that USD 1.3 trillion comes as revenue that contributes to nearly 2.5 per cent of the global GDP. The company sees phenomenal opportunity in smartphone growth as well as 3G and 4G technologies. 

“As per a recent Gartner report, 4 billion smartphones are expected to be sold by 2015, which is overwhelming,” said Jocobs. He informed that the company has already shipped half a billion chips and is putting focus ion cutting the cost of mobile devices.

“Besides our Snapdragon processors, we are also keeping emphasis on ADRENO graphics to provide unparallel experience to end consumers,” he informed. The next-generation mobile technologies giant said that it has enabled 250 phone devices and 40 tablets with Snapdragon technology.  

Qualcomm and Sesame to serve migrant children:

Qualcomm through its Wireless Reach initiative, partnered with Sesame Workshop India for the launch of Radiophone project to facilitate education to migrant children in the country. The project, ‘Galli Galli Sim Sim’ is a multi-platform initiative that combines the power of multimedia and educational outreach to help young children prepare for school and life.

With pilot in Gurgaon, this initiative is platform agnostic and can work on any browser.  As a pilot, Sesame will offer Android-based Micromax devices to 10 families in Gurgaon to dissimilate information on hygiene, healthcare, environment and public safety.

“3G wireless technologies offer new opportunities to dramatically improve learning, particularly among disadvantaged children,” said Shawn Covell, VP, Qualcomm Government Affairs. Covell  said, Galli Galli Sim Sim is a learning experience for young children and will offer content, video and games over mobile devices.