Broadcom fires antitrust broadside

, a global provider of wired and wireless broadband communications semiconductors, has commenced litigation against

, alleging that the San Diego-based company's licensing and other practices related to cellular technology and products violate US antitrust laws.

"Our goal is simply to ensure fair competition and a level playing field, not just for Broadcom, but for the entire cellular industry," said Scott A. McGregor, Broadcom's President and CEO. "Qualcomm's practices prevent that. Their monopoly in CDMA technology has increased the price of cell phones in the US, and we are hoping that the courts will prevent the same thing from happening with the next generation '3G' cell phones. Qualcomm's monopolistic activities limit competition, stifle innovation, and ultimately harm consumers and service providers."

Broadcom's complaint alleges that Qualcomm's licensing arrangements violate its commitments to provide fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (so-called FRAND) licensing terms to users of technology that is incorporated into telecommunications industry standards.