Google Acquires Magnolia Broadband Patent Portfolio
June 20, 2012
By Rory Lidstone, TMCnet Contributing Writer
Google (News - Alert) is in the news for another acquisition, as the search giant purchased Magnolia Broadband's beam forming Mobile Transmit Diversity (MTD) patent portfolio for an undisclosed sum on Monday.
The portfolio is derived from over a decade of research, development and testing, covering methods for increasing spectrum utilization (network capacity), expanding coverage, improving uplink transmission speeds at the cell edge and improving device battery life.
In other words, these patents could make for an all-around better mobile phone.
This patent portfolio is just the latest in a line of acquisitions from Google, which recently purchased QuickOffice, an Office app for Android (News - Alert) and iOS, and social networking company Meebo, among others. It seems like Google may be building up to something, but in this case it's more likely that these patents are just part of the company's defence in its escalating rivalry with Apple (News - Alert).
"We believe that Google's acquisition of our more than 50 Mobile Transmit Diversity beam forming technology patents underlines the need for such a technology in mobile broadband devices," Osmo Hautanen, CEO at Magnolia Broadband, said in a press release. "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."
While this purchase obviously benefits both Google and Magnolia Broadband, it also greatly benefits consumers, as it is likely to yield improved network capabilities and improved battery life in future Android devices.
"This transaction is a milestone for Magnolia Broadband. It provides a return to our investors and funding for continued development of Magnolia's MTD technology,” said Yaron Eitan, Chairman of the Board at Magnolia Broadband, and a partner in SCP Partners, the company's largest shareholder. “We look forward to deployment of this innovative technology in smartphones, tablets and other mobile broadband devices, to provide faster data throughput, better coverage and wider range."
Edited by Braden Becker