Mobile chip-maker Qualcomm yesterday said it is in discussions with major equipment vendors like Ericsson, Nokia-Siemens and Huawei for setting up a high-speed BWA network and expects to finalise a deal by early next year.

The US-based company had bagged Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) licences in four telecom circles -- Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala -- to offer high-speed Internet services in the country.

"By early 2011, we will finalise the equipment vendor for BWA... We are in talks with Ericsson, Nokia-Siemens, Huawei, Alcatel and other operators," Qualcomm India and South Asia Head Kanwalinder Singh told reporters here.

The company had earlier said it has invested about USD 1 billion for bagging BWA licences.

Asked if the company will make additional investments for setting up the network and roll-out of services, Singh said the investment would be "incremental".

The mobile chip-maker recently sold a 26 per cent stake in its Indian broadband unit to Tulip Telecom and Global Holdings for USD 57.72 million (about Rs 268 crore).

Talking about security-related issues with equipment vendors, Singh said the concerns need to be "looked into and solved in time if India has to roll-out 3G and BWA services.