Qualcomm Finally Commits To Wi-Fi

Cellular technology vendor Qualcomm has finally joined the Wi-Fi Alliance trade organization, saying that it wants to make sure its 3G cellular data and voice chipsets are compatible with the wireless networking technology.

"Qualcomm is pleased to take the important step of joining the Wi-Fi Alliance to help ensure the interoperability of WLAN technologies with CDMA2000, WCDMA, and other wireless standards supported by our solutions," Ed Tiedemann, Qualcomm's senior vice president of engineering, said in a statement.

"We look forward to working closely together on the interoperability of 802.11 a, b, and g standards -- as well as the expected 802.11n standard -- with cellular networks, helping ensure seamless compatibility across our product portfolio and driving the convergence of mobile capabilities," Tiedemann added.

Qualcomm is one of largest vendors for cellular chipsets and holds numerous patents on cellular technology for both CDMA-based systems and 3G systems using GSM networks. It recently said that it intends to make its chipsets work with wireless LANs.

While the mobile phone vendors that incorporate Qualcomm's chipsets and intellectual property have been supportive of incorporating Wi-Fi technology into their devices, cellular operators have been slower to embrace the technology. Wireless LAN technology, in conjunction with voice-over-IP can be used for voice traffic instead of cellular systems.The Wi-Fi Alliance has been certifying Wi-Fi products for interoperability since 2000.