Qualcomm aims to expand wireless coverage with DesignArt buy

Base station firm could help to bring better broadband coverage

Networking firm Qualcomm has acquired radio communications firm DesignArt Networks in a move which the company hopes will expand its reach into the wireless networking space.

The company said that the deal, terms of which were not disclosed, will allow its products to offer better range and signal strength for mobile communications. Based out of Israel, DesignArt develops hardware and software for small cell wireless communications.

By integrating the DesignArt hardware with its own lines, Qualcomm believes that it can easily boost both the range and signal quality in mobile data network appliances. The result, said Qualcomm, will be the ability to allow carriers and service providers to make better use of their existing spectrum space.

"DesignArt and its products will both enhance and accelerate our initiatives to drive increased capacity and coverage in mobile networks," said Qualcomm Atheros president Craig Barratt.

"Operators can significantly improve user experience across residential, enterprise and outdoor networks given the greater network efficiencies derived by implementing small cells and heterogeneous networks."

The move comes amid growing demand on carriers to provide high-speed wireless broadband services. With available bandwidth dwindling and data loads increasing, spectrum space has become a valuable commodity.

Verizon recently agreed to pay some $3.6bn to acquire a range of wireless spectrum space from a trio of US network operators in a deal which was only this week cleared by the Federal Communications Commission.