Qualcomm buys WLAN and Bluetooth technologies
560703
(InfoWorld) - Qualcomm is making two acquisitions of Bluetooth and WLAN (wireless LAN) chip technologies, allowing it to further the integration of wireless networking capabilities in mobile phones. The company will buy Airgo Networks, which develops WLAN technologies used in access points and laptop computers, and it will buy most of the Bluetooth technology assets of RF Micro Devices. The acquisitions, announced Sunday, will allow Qualcomm to integrate the wireless technologies more tightly with chip sets that it sells to mobile phone makers. This should make it easier for phone makers to develop compact products with built-in Bluetooth and WLAN capabilities. Bluetooth allows phones to send data over short distances, connecting to a wireless headset or laptop computer, for example. Adding a WLAN connection to a phone allows it to connect to a LAN to use VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) and other services. The acquisitions will put Qualcomm in closer competition with other makers of wireless networking chips, including Intel and Broadcom. It could also bring Qualcomm new technology patents that would strengthen its hand in legal disputes. The company is in the midst of several patent disputes, including one with Broadcom that concerns Bluetooth technologies. Airgo, of Palo Alto, California, develops WLAN technologies based on IEEE 802.11a, b and g, as well as the proposed 802.11n standard. Qualcomm plans to integrate the technologies into its Mobile Station Modem and Snapdragon chip sets. It will also keep supporting Airgo's current WLAN business, it said. In the case of RF Micro, Qualcomm is buying its Bluetooth division in San Diego, which develops technologies for handsets and headsets. RF Micro is retaining other Bluetooth products, including its SiW3000 and SiW3500 system-on-chip families. It said the sale will allow it to focus on its higher-growth areas, including cellular transceivers and GPS components. RF Micro, which has headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, said Qualcomm is paying $39 million for its technologies. Qualcomm didn't disclose the value of the Airgo deal, but it said the acquisitions combined would reduce its earnings for the current fiscal year by about $0.04 per share. It expects to close both deals by the end of December.
243619
Speculation is swirling that network equipment maker Enterasys Networks is buying wireless security company Bluesocket, which recently announced its first 802.11n products.
192084
Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of British telecom giant Vodafone Group PLC and Verizon Communications Inc., said late Thursday that it agreed to purchase all of NextWave Telecom Inc.
443487
Company to offer 3 devices with Bluetooth and GPS capabilities.
130319
Bluetooth short range wireless connectivity is to receive a number of upgrades over the next two years, according to the body that controls development of the technology.
299876
Qualcomm, the San Diego cell phone technology developer, said yesterday it has acquired a British software company for $36 million in cash.
559949
The popular wireless technology known as Bluetooth could get a lot faster next year by taking advantage of Wi-Fi technology already built into many gadgets.
239839
Wireless chip maker Qualcomm Inc.   said on Wednesday new chipsets, designed to comply  with a court's patent infringement ruling, were now available  and expected to be in handsets before the end of March.
524818
MotorolaÂ has agreed to buy MeshNetworks, a developer of technology and products for rapidly deployed, self-creating wireless mobile networks.
256382
Motorola Inc. said Tuesday it has signed an agreement to acquire MeshNetworks Inc., a privately held developer of wireless networks.
123310
Qualcomm is buying SoftMax, a provider of noise-reduction technology.
40241
Motorola Inc. is acquiring MeshNetworks Inc., a developer of a Wi-Fi based technology in which a person&#39;s mobile device doubles as a network relay point that can transmit a signal between other devices.
699786
Purchase of equipment-monitoring specialist intended to broaden Qualcomm's range of "machine intelligence" services.
538287
BARCELONA, Spain, 3GSM World Congress, Feb. 14  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Broadcom Corporation , a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that its advanced Bluetooth(R) silicon and software technology has been adopted by ASUSTek Computer Inc.
280251
Qualcomm has acquired SoftMax, a noise-reduction technology vendor, in a move that spreads the rivalry over cell phones to  the area of sound quality.
380989
Alcatel plans to acquire US-based mobile infrastructure company Spatial Wireless in a deal valued at $250 million. The agreement gives Alcatel an avenue to expand in the US gear market.
471714
Cell phone chip maker Qualcomm said on Tuesday it has purchased United Kingdom-based wireless developer Trigenix, in part to bolster Qualcomm&#39;s stake in the European cell phone market.