Maurice:
Philip is well meaning, albeit naive. One of the Great Myths is that CDMA is a closed fraternity, guarded by a nefarious and avaricious Qualcomm (and its confiscatory royalty rates). What poor Philip doesn't understand is that the Europeans have erected a far less obvious, but vastly more expensive, IPR-based wall around their precious GSM standard.
If a newcomer, like the Japanese or Qualcomm, wanted to provide a complete GSM solution (i.e. infrastructure through handsets), it need to negotiate license agreements with something approaching eight European telecom companies. While none of the individual royalties are excessive, the aggregate tab would likely climb into the mid-to-high teens. The Europeans orchestrated this fraternity party to protect their technology position and prevent being blown-out in their home market by the Japanese. It's laughably hypocritical that the GSM crowd attempts to vilify QC for its IPR position, which is at least pro-competitive, whilst using their own patent positions to functionally prevent economic competition (unless you are a fraternity member).
Well, all is fair in love, war and telephony!
Best regards,
Gregg |
