Qualcomm set to buy Flarion for $600m

Wireless technology firm Qualcomm is set to buy mobile broadband company Flarion Technologies in a $600m (£330m) deal.

The acquisition is expected to boost Qualcomm’s position in the wireless broadband market.

It brings together two companies working in cutting-edge wireless technology, with Qualcomm’s Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standard being matched by Flarion’s Flash (fast low-latency access with seamless hand-off) OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technology for mobile broadband internet protocol (IP) services.

Flarion's product line consists of the RadioRouter base station, FLASH-OFDM modems, embedded chipsets and system software to create an end-to-end network for mobile operators.

Qualcomm chief executive Paul Jacobs said, “With this acquisition, Qualcomm will be in a stronger position to support advanced development in both CDMA and OFDMA technologies. The combination of Flarion and Qualcomm's engineering resources greatly strengthens our position as a continued technology innovator and leader in the wireless industry.”