The TD-LTE camp would struggle to find a more eager technology proponent than billionaire Mukesh Ambani, which until last month could not compete in the mobile arena because of a non-compete clause with his brother, Reliance Communications boss Anil.
Qualcomm too has big plans for TD-LTE, having won 20MHz apiece of spectrum in the premium circles of Delhi and Mumbai as well as Kerala and Haryana for 49.13 billion rupees or $1.06 billion.
Qualcomm plans to divest over a 50% stake in its Indian BWA venture, starting with 13% stakes each being bought by GTL Infrastructure’s Global Holding and Tulip Telecom, reports Business Standard, which cited banking sources.
Qualcomm will separately inject 46 billion rupees into the Indian venture, said the report.
That could leave only Aircel to run the main technology race for the Wimax camp, presuming of course it goes down the Wimax route, since it won spectrum in eight regions for 34.38 billion rupees.
But Maxis-controlled Aircel – India’s seventh largest cellco - has also just had to folk out $1.39 billion for 3G spectrum in 13 zones.
The Wimax community had once dreamed of India as its star Asian performer.