Qualcomm's Mesh Networking Platform To Improve Home Wi-Fi

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) , the largest mobile chipset manufacturer using baseband technology globally, through its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., unveiled the Qualcomm Mesh Networking Platform.

The platform was launched at the Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan on May 30, 2017. Qualcomm Mesh Networking Platform is a unique combination of technologies upon which original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and broadband carriers can deliver next-generation connected home experiences.

The Platform is based upon the Qualcomm IPQ40x8/9 network system-on-chip, which is currently used in almost all mesh networking products available. It includes the chip maker's Wi-Fi Self-Organizing (SON) feature suite, backhaul options, the Qualcomm Internet of Things (IoT) Connectivity feature suite -- designed for the simultaneous use of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, CSRmesh, and 802.15.4-based technologies -- and numerous carrier-grade features such as cloud-based diagnostics, to enhance their broadband services with Wi-Fi SON.

On the integrated voice part, the platform can support a built-in microphone array and speaker as well as voice recognition software and is compatible with APIs (Application program interface) to the most popular cloud-based assistant applications.

The company is offering the Qualcomm Mesh Networking Reference Design, which will allow OEMs develop their own custom IoT and connected device mesh networking products by providing an effective gateway.

The new launch is intended to control and improve the use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the home. The Mesh Networking Platform should improve connectivity to smart devices in the home and will feature voice control capabilities, centralized management and security, and mesh system features essential for carrier-grade networks.

Latest Updates on Qualcomm

Last week, Qualcomm has reached $940 million licensing dispute settlement (to be paid on or before May 31, 2017) with BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY) , in relation to the over-payment by BlackBerry to Qualcomm in royalty payments from 2010 to 2015 under terms of a licensing deal. Prior to this, Qualcomm updated one of its lawsuits providing more evidence that tech giant Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is interfering with its existing arrangements with the contract manufacturing firms, in relation to the $1 billion lawsuit filed by the latter against Qualcomm in Jan 2017.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) and Media Tek are the closest competitors of Qualcomm in this field.

Bottom Line

We expect that the launch will help Qualcomm regain its popularity and position in the chipset industry, amidst the downturns of recent lawsuits. We believe that the company will quickly resolve all such disputes and focus on its growth strategies.

Currently, Qualcomm is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Price Performance

Over the past three months, Qualcomm’s share price has grown 0.60% but failed to beat the Zacks categorized Wireless Equipment industry’s gain of 4.73%.

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