Deutsche Tel enters LTE patent pool

Deutsche Telecom is joining an LTE patent pool that aims to create a one stop shop for device makers seeking necessary licenses.
 
The German incumbent last week agreed to offer its essential LTE patents through the pool run by Via Licensing. The pool was established in October and already counts big names including Telefonica, AT&T and Telecom Italia among its contributors. China Mobile also signed up at the same time as Deutsche Telecom.
 
“The addition of these key patent holders increases the benefit that the Via LTE patent pool brings to the 4G ecosystem,” Via Licensing president Roger Ross said.
 
“The inclusion of standard-essential patents from China Mobile and Deutsche Telekom to the LTE patent pool further strengthens the program and ensures licensees worldwide access to critical LTE IPR.”
 
The inclusion of China Mobile, which has been a major contributor to the development of the TD-LTE standard, is a coup for Via Licensing's efforts to simplify LTE licensing through the pool.
 
But the project still lacks the support of many important LTE patent holders, including Ericsson and Qualcomm.
 
While All Things Digital notes that these vendors are unlikely to join as patent licensing is key to their business, Ross told the news site that it hopes to attract other big names such as Huawei, LG or Apple.