CDMA technology and chipset designer Qualcomm Incorporated is setting up a handset pre-certification laboratory in Hyderabad, which will start functioning by December 31, 2005. The lab is being set up to enable handset manufacturers to conduct pre-tests on the embedded technology and chipsets shipped on their products. The company is also looking at introduction of concurrence in CDMA.

The company is expecting to form a consortium of operators, content providers and broadcasters for the roll out of forward link technology in the country, which is expected to be launched by late 2007 or early 2008. Qualcomm is also exploring the option of roping in CDMA service providers Tata Indicom and Reliance Infocomm for the venture.