Qualcomm announced on January 4, 2006, that it would acquire Berkana Wireless, a Silicon Valley fabless semiconductor company, for approximately $56 million in cash. The strategic aim was to add RF CMOS expertise and speed development of more integrated radio solutions for 3G handsets using CDMA2000 and WCDMA/UMTS. Later accounting disclosure identified December 30, 2005, as the completion date and reported a preliminary purchase price of about $60 million.
What Qualcomm bought
Berkana designed radio-frequency (RF) and mixed-signal integrated circuits for cellular and other wireless applications. As a fabless semiconductor company, it designed chips rather than operating its own chip-manufacturing facilities. Qualcomm said Berkana brought RF CMOS intellectual property, engineering expertise, cellular-systems experience, and product roadmaps that complemented Qualcomm’s wireless-chip work. The announcement described Berkana as founded in 2001 by Dr. Beomsup Kim and Dr. Cormac Conroy, with Sam Nakib serving as president and CEO at the time of the acquisition. Qualcomm’s announcement
A phone’s RF circuitry handles signals between its antenna and digital baseband. Integrating more radio functions in CMOS can potentially reduce component count, board space, power use, and manufacturing cost. It does not mean every radio function fits on one chip: performance, noise, linearity, power amplification, filtering, and support for multiple bands remain engineering challenges.
Contemporary trade coverage associated Berkana with the BKW9000, a single-chip quad-band GSM/GPRS/DCS/PCS RF CMOS transceiver. That is an example reported by industry coverage, not a complete catalogue of Berkana’s products. Microwaves & RF’s January 2006 newsletter
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- 【HI-FI SOUND WITH DEEPER DETAIL】 Experience music with a balanced, natural sound signature powered by precision-tuned 10mm dynamic drivers. Designed for rich vocals, powerful bass, and crisp highs, E12 Ultra delivers an immersive listening experience from acoustic and jazz to pop and classical.
- 【MINIMALIST DESIGN WITH TIMELESS STYLE】 Inspired by the purity of snow, the Snow White edition features a clean and elegant finish. The refined white surface creates a sophisticated look designed for those who appreciate simplicity and premium craftsmanship.
- 【ALL-DAY COMFORTABLE FIT】 Designed for everyday wear, the ergonomic in-ear shape and soft silicone ear tips provide a secure, lightweight fit for long workdays, commuting, travel, and daily listening.
- 【QUALCOMM QCC3071 BLUETOOTH 5.3 PERFORMANCE】 Powered by the Qualcomm QCC3071 platform, E12 Ultra delivers faster pairing, improved connection stability, lower latency, and high-quality wireless audio with aptX technology for a smoother listening experience.
- 【LONG-LASTING BATTERY LIFE FOR EVERY DAY】 Enjoy over 6 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. USB-C fast charging and automatic pairing make it easy to stay connected throughout your day.
Why the technology mattered to Qualcomm
In the mid-2000s, handset designers were building smaller phones that had to support multiple cellular bands and standards. More integrated RF circuitry offered a potential route to smaller, lower-power designs with fewer components. Qualcomm said Berkana’s technology could help it accelerate highly integrated RF CMOS solutions for CDMA2000 and WCDMA/UMTS markets. That was the company’s stated strategic rationale, not proof that the acquisition produced particular commercial results. Qualcomm’s announcement and EE Times’ contemporary report
What the deal cost
The $56 million figure was Qualcomm’s announced cash consideration. It should not be confused with every cost or accounting measure associated with the transaction. Qualcomm also estimated one-time charges, while a later financial filing included stock-option value in its purchase accounting.
Rank #2
- 1. The NET-N600 is a wireless N dual band 600Mbps 2x2MIMO PCIE WiFi Adapter. It offers 300Mbps data speed on 2.4GHz or 5GHz for wireless connection on desktop PCs. It is mainly used on home or office PCs for online surfing, video streaming, online gaming, VOIP calls etc.
- 2. Selected Qualcomm Atheros AR938X 2T2R MIMO network solution. Added power amplifier on each antenna chain make sure TX and RX works in long range and high speed. The external two-3dBi antennas will enhance the WiFi reception quality.
- 3. Compatible System: Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8 (32/64bit) Plug and Play. Windows Server, Windows XP, Windows 7 (32/64bit) need to install driver. Linux System: ATH9K driver.
- 4. Seamless connect to IEEE 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC/AX wireless network Router, AP, ISP etc. Comply with WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES) WiFi encryption.
- 5. Mounted full height bracket, works on full height PCs. Comes with slim size bracket for slim PCs. Slim PC users need to change it to low profile bracket by hand.
| Figure | What it represents |
|---|---|
| Approximately $56 million | Announced cash consideration; Qualcomm said the estimate was subject to change. Qualcomm |
| Approximately $10 million | Expected one-time charges, primarily for in-process research and development; an estimate in the announcement. Qualcomm |
| Approximately $0.005 per share | Estimated dilution to fiscal-2006 pro forma earnings per share, as stated in the announcement. Qualcomm |
| Approximately $7 million | Estimated fair value of stock options included in later accounting disclosure. Qualcomm financial filing |
| Approximately $60 million | Preliminary total purchase price shown in the later filing’s allocation table. Qualcomm financial filing |
The filing’s preliminary allocation included approximately $29 million of goodwill, $2 million of technology-based intangible assets, $9 million of in-process research and development, and $20 million of net tangible assets. These are purchase-accounting categories, not additional amounts to add to the $60 million total. Qualcomm financial filing
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Announcement and completion dates
Qualcomm publicly announced the acquisition on January 4, 2006. Its later financial disclosure identifies December 30, 2005, as the completion date. The dates therefore reflect different events; the public announcement did not occur on the reported completion date. Qualcomm’s fiscal year ended September 25, 2005, placing the transaction in fiscal 2006. Qualcomm announcement and financial filing
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Superior Sound Quality: Experience immersive audio with Qualcomm chip-enabled Bluetooth headphones that deliver clear highs and deep bass
- cVc 8.0 Call Noise Cancellation: Crystal-clear voice pickup for Teams, Zoom, and Phone Calls. It captures and amplifies your voice while filtering out background noise, delivering exceptional clarity even in noisy surroundings
- 70-Hour Battery Life: Power your multi-day trips and adventures — the WH07 Neckband Headphones is built to keep pace with your back-to-back schedules
- Snug & Ergonomic Fit: Lightweight neckband and soft silicone eartips (S/M/L included) work together for all-day comfort. Magnetic earbuds snap into place when not in use—no tangles, no drops
- Faster & More Stable Connection: Connect two devices with ease and enjoy reliable audio with Qualcomm aptX Low Latency
Rank #4
- 📶【Unlocked 4G LTE Portable WiFi Hotspot】：SIM-card unlocked travel MiFi router, compatible with most carriers. No binding contract or activation cost, plug SIM card for instant high-speed internet.
- ⭕【Stable High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Router】：Delivers reliable 4G LTE cellular WiFi for streaming, gaming and remote work. Turn your SIM data into private wireless network for travel and home backup.
- ✅【10 Devices Concurrent Connection】：Share secure WiFi with up to 10 phones, laptops, tablets & smart devices. Perfect for family trips, camping, RV and group business travel.
- 🔋【3000mAh Built-in Rechargeable Battery】：Long-lasting battery supports continuous outdoor use. USB charging available, lightweight design for travel and commuting.
- 🌏【Nationwide US Carrier Compatibility】 — Supports major US 4G LTE networks across B2/B4/B5/B12/B13/B17/B66/B71 frequencies, ensuring reliable connectivity with AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and other US carriers for coast-to-coast coverage.
Rank #3
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
- Atheros Wifi Card
- AR5B22 AR9462 WB222
- Half Mini PCI-e card
- 802.11 a/b/g/n + BT
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
