Qualcomm UK Spectrum has agreed to sell its UK L-Band spectrum (1452 – 1492 MHz) to Vodafone UK and Hutchinson 3G UK.
Vodafone UK agreed to purchase 20 MHz of the spectrum, while Hutchinson 3G UK will buy 20 MHz of the spectrum.
L-Band spectrum can be used for Supplemental Downlink (SDL), helping mobile network operators to meet the global demand for increased mobile data traffic.
Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the total value of the deal was $313.8 million. Qualcomm did not share the financial details.
Communications regulator Ofcom will have to approve the agreement.
Qualcomm bought the L-band spectrum in 2008 for 8.33 million pounds to develop and test new wireless services. The carriers won’t be able to use the new airwaves until at least next year as they wait for upgrades to phones and network equipment.
San Diego-based Qualcomm said in June that it planned to sell the spectrum rights in the U.K. Earlier, Qualcomm India sold its broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum in India to Bharti Airtel which is using the airwaves to launch 4G.
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
