Qualcom buys DesignArt Networks for more than $100 million

Chip maker Qualcomm Incorporated made an unofficial announcement that it has purchased mobile backhaul infrastructure designer DesignArt Networks for more than $100 million.

An Israeli start-up company founded in 2006, DesignArt creates infrastructure solutions for 3G/4G mobile backhaul networks. It focuses on creating data-centric mobile radio access networks for wireless backhaul infrastructure using integrated system-on-chip platforms and embedded SW solutions.

Back in April, Intel and Qualcomm had both expressed interest in purchasing DesignArt. Qualcomm beat its chip maker rival to the reported tune of around $120-140 million.

Qualcomm is expected to make an official announcement soon. DesignArt will probably be integrated into its new owner's Atheros Division, which was originally semiconductor developer Atheros before Qualcomm purchased it in 2011 for $3.1 billion.

Qualcomm Incorporated received the 2012 U.S. Fleet Manager's Choice Award. It is considered to be the best supplier of advanced telematics services by Frost & Sullivan and more than 90% of Qualcomm's customers. Its recent acquisition of DesignArts further enhances its expertise in mobile backhaul products.