Google and Intel have both made mobile patent acquisitions, from Magnolia Broadband and InterDigital respectively. The value of the former deal was not disclosed, but Intel will be paying InterDigital some US$375 million for 1,700 patents and applications “primarily related to 3G, LTE and 802.11 technologies.”

Google has acquired Magnolia Broadband’s “beam forming Mobile Transmit Diversity” portfolio, which is said to cover methods for increasing spectrum use, expanding coverage, improving uplink transmission speeds at the cell edge, and improving device battery life. However, Magnolia said that supporting software, which can be embedded into any mobile broadband device, remains the property of Magnolia broadband “and will be made available to mobile device vendors and chipset companies.”

Intel said that the InterDigital deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012, “expands our already large, strong and diverse portfolio of intellectual property.” InterDigital said that the transaction “involves a small portion of our overall patent portfolio,” and it will use US$200 million of the proceeds to increase its share buyback programme.

The patent player last year said it was exploring its strategic options, with a possible sale of the company mooted, in the wake of the patent land-grab which saw US$4.5 billion paid for Nortel’s patent portfolio. Google was seen as one of the main bidders, although this company’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility effectively removed it from the game, and InterDigital said earlier this year that it was sticking to its original plan.