LTE and WiMAX have been the most talked-about 4G technologies in development, but wireless telecommunications super-power Qualcomm had their own competing technology in the works, Ultra Mobile Broadband. With the quick advancement and spread of WiMAX and many high-profile companies (including Verizon) working hard to develop LTE, Qualcomm has decided to cease development of Ultra Mobile Broadband and instead re-focus their 4G efforts on LTE. CEO Paul Jacobs confirmed this news at the annual analysts' meeting yesterday, saying there would be some layoffs but thankfully most employees would keep their jobs.
The resources - monetary and otherwise - that a giant like Qualcomm can contribute to the LTE development process could be a huge boon to the technology. LTE is thought to be at least two years behind WiMAX - which is already available in several areas of the US - but still has the potential to serve as a serious rival. It will be interesting to see how Qualcomm's involvement shapes the future of LTE.
