Qualcomm has paid £8m for 40MHz (1452-1492 MHz) of L-Band radio spectrum in the UK.
Although the company has not given specific details of what it will use the spectrum for, it is thought that it will be to trial Qualcomm's MediaFlo mobile TV technology in partnership with a UK broadcaster.
It is little more than a year since Qualcomm and British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) completed a second joint technical trial of the chip firm’s mobile TV technology in the UK. That trial, conducted in Manchester during winter 2006, featured BSkyB content delivered to non-commercial devices supplied by Qualcomm.
UK regulator
Ofcom auctioned the radio spectrum as part of a wider programme to release spectrum for a range of uses. Other future awards include spectrum at 2.6GHz and the spectrum that will be released through the switchover to digital television.
The auction was held online during May. The winner, Qualcomm UK Spectrum Ltd will be able to use its licence with immediate effect.
The spectrum has been released on a technology and service neutral basis, said Ofcom.
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