Qualcomm's acquires spectrum for new services

LONDON (Reuters) - Wireless technology developer Qualcomm Inc. has acquired radio spectrum known as L-band which will allow it to launch services such as mobile television, wireless broadband and satellite radio.

Ofcom said Qualcomm UK Spectrum would pay 8.3 million pounds and be able to use the licence with immediate effect and across the whole of the UK.

The spectrum has been released on a technology and service neutral basis, meaning the user can decide what technology to use and what services to offer.

Qualcomm said it had acquired 40 MHz of L-band spectrum to bring a variety of wireless technologies to the UK market in collaboration with its partners.

"Qualcomm has a long history of innovation and creating new technology markets," said Andrew Gilbert, executive vice president of Qualcomm.

"Acquiring this spectrum will enable us to develop, test and explore a variety of innovative wireless services and technologies that will benefit European consumers and the wireless industry as a whole."

Other bidders for the spectrum included Arqiva Limited and The Joint Radio Company.

(Reporting by Kate Holton, editing by Will Waterman)