The Hindu Business Line : ITI seeks Qualcomm licence to make CDMA fixed wireless sets

Access point
CDMA part of ITI strategy to foray into using new tech.
Also discussing possible tie to manufacture WiMax equipment.
Co has 6 manufacturing plants in India.

New Delhi June 24 In a bid to boost its manufacturing plants in various parts of the country, ITI Ltd is in discussions with US-based Qualcomm for obtaining a licence to manufacture CDMA-based fixed wireless terminals.

ITI also plans to get into component level manufacturing and is in talks with Qualcomm to explore the possibility of getting licence for the CDMA chipsets, according to the Department of Telecom.

If ITI gets the licence, it will be the second Indian company to partner Qualcomm for manufacturing CDMA devices.

Earlier, Punjab-based HFCL had taken a licence from Qualcomm for producing CDMA mobile handsets. However, even after nine months since the licence was given, HFCL is yet to start manufacturing.

Despite exponential growth in the CDMA segment, not a single vendor has so far set up facility for manufacturing devices in India, unlike the GSM segment where leading gear providers have set up units in the country.

If the negotiations with Qualcomm come through, then ITI could be the first company to set up local manufacturing for CDMA devices.

The move is part of ITI's strategy to foray into production of equipment based on newer technologies. The company is also discussing a possible partnership with CDoT-Alcatel Research Centre in Chennai for manufacturing WiMax consumer premise equipment and network gear on a transfer-of-technology basis.

ITI had earlier entered into a similar partnership with Alcatel for manufacturing GSM-based mobile equipment. It also has agreement with Tekelec for next-generation switches, and ZTE for supply of CDMA equipment.

ITI has an agreement with Kyocera of Japan for field trial of wireless broadband equipment, iBurst, which enables broadband internet on mobile devices in a wide area network.

The State-owned company has 6 manufacturing plants in Bangalore, Mankapur, Rae Bareli, Naini, Palakkad and Srinagar. Most of the equipment manufactured by ITI is supplied to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and other Government agencies, including the defence forces and railways.