As soon as I heard that Irvine-based Broadcom was part of Google‘s Open Handset Alliance, I made contact with them to find out why they joined the Alliance, what it means for consumers and how their decision will effect its other partnerships.

In case you haven’t heard, the Alliance is a group of 34 tech companies who have banded together to support the launch of Google’s Android platform for mobile devices. Google provided the artwork at right to illustrate the concept, which includes an operating system and a software development kit for third-party developers to use when creating applications for that operating system.

Here are Broadcom’s answers to my questions:

Why did Broadcom join the Open Handset Alliance?

Broadcom is a strong supporter of open operating systems for mobile handsets. Broadcom shares the OHAs goal of enabling innovation to help grow adoption of smartphones and other mobile Internet-connected devices.

What specifically will Broadcom do as a partner in the Alliance?

As a member, Broadcom will be in a strong position to monitor developments and progress on the platform, as well as ensure that our products accommodate the hardware requirements necessitated by the software platform.

Will Broadcom be working more with specific companies also involved in the Alliance, such as T-Mobile and Motorola?

Broadcom has very strong working relationships with the major handset OEMs and cellular carriers. As with any major industry body, Broadcom’s participation in the OHA will afford more opportunities to work with other Alliance members, but we work closely with these companies on a daily basis as it is.

How will Broadcom’s involvement in the Alliance change its current relationships and products?

As mentioned, Broadcom is a strong supporter of open and smart operating systems in general, with announced activity around operating systems such as Symbian and Windows Mobile and participation in the Linux Mobile (LiMo) Foundation. Broadcom’s involvement with the Alliance will be similar to our engagement with these other mobile software platforms, extending the reach of our products to a greater number of future handset devices.

Why does Broadcom support open software development?

Open source software development is a very important dynamic in the industry, with contributions being made by developers in many key areas of mobile computing and communications technologies. Broadcom supports open source because of its important role in the industry, as well as an effort to bolster innovation and thereby enable an increasingly compelling user experience.

How will the Alliance and Android effect consumers?

We expect the OHA and the Android platform will benefit consumers by offering greater choice in handsets and by eventually resulting in a greater variety of mobile applications for end users.

For more information on Android, the Alliance and its possible effects …

• Google dials into the cell phone market
• Mobile players ho-hum about Android
  
• Google Android boosts enterprise mobile Linux
• Google’s mobile software platform threatens the PC itself

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