Qualcomm received the Broadband Wireless Access Spectrum

Qualcomm, the US chipmaker, received the broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum 8 May 2012 by the department of telecommunications (DoT). The DoT, however, reduced the company’s period of licence use to 18.5 years from 20 years as mentioned in the licence agreement. The time period to meet the rollout obligations was also reduced from 5 to 3.5 years.

The provisions to cut down the time line for the license came as the DoT felt that the delay has been caused by Qualcomm, which failed to confirm the licence agreement on time. Qualcomm in 2010, had won 20 Mhz spectrum in four circles including Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala and Haryana through an auction of 4912.54 crore rupees(about USD 1 billion).

The spectrum was, however, delayed as the company found itself in a dispute with DoT following the department’s rejection to its application for a Internet Service Provider (ISP) licence due to late submission.