Google has entered into a deal with Magnolia Broadband to acquire more than 50 patents of its beam forming Mobile Transmit Diversity (MTD) patent portfolio.
The terms of this transaction were not disclosed though the patent portfolio covers methods for increasing spectrum utilisation, expanding coverage, improving uplink transmission speeds at the cell edge and improving device battery life.
Magnolia Broadband CEO Osmo Hautanen said Google’s acquisition of its technology patents underlines the need for such a technology in mobile broadband devices.
"The software, which can be embedded into any mobile broadband device remains the property of Magnolia Broadband and will be made available to mobile device vendors and chipset companies," he added.
Magnolia Broadband board chairman Yaron Eitan said this transaction provides a return to its investors and funding for continued development of the company’s MTD technology.
"We look forward to deployment of this innovative technology in smart phones, tablets and other mobile broadband devices, to provide faster data throughput, better coverage and wider range," he added.
Magnolia Broadband retained Invention Capital Partners to analyse its intellectual property assets and engage potential buyers and support the closing of the transaction.
IP rights could benefit Google in the mobile space, after its recent acquisition of Motorola Mobility while Magnolia Broadband would use the sale proceeds to help finance on-going research and development activities.
