Most commonly described as OnLive's greatest rival, cloud-based gaming network Gaikai has closed a $30 million strong funding round, adding Qualcomm to its band of investors.

The funds are to be used to accelerate the take up of Gaikai as the company looks to support "any leading web browser, on all operating systems, on all devices".

Network nous

Part of this acceleration, stated CEO Dave Perry, will be to ensure the networks Gaikai and its kin will rely on are up to the task.

"Our vision is to manage the Gaikai Global Interactive Network, built from the ground up for the cloud," added Perry.

"Telecommunications companies were built to deliver audio and data within geographic boundaries. The next generation networks must be able to additionally deliver instant, real time interactive experiences to a connected global audience, both wired and wireless."

Mobile matters

It's Qualcomm's decision to invest in Gaikai, however, that offers the most interest, if only because of the prominent role firms with a hand in the mobile market are taking in the operations of cloud-based gaming platforms.

Rival OnLive is already able to boast HTC as a financial backer. The Taiwanese manufacturer reportedly injected $40 million into the platform, which it later equipped in its debut tablet, HTC Flyer.

In competition, Gaikai – which also claims EA as a major partner – has previously secured the backing of Intel through the firm's VC arm Intel Capital.