Wireless Reach FAQs
What is the Wireless Reach initiative?
Qualcomm created Wireless Reach as a pilot program in 2005 to demonstrate how advanced wireless voice and data services improve people's lives. Today, Wireless Reach has grown into a global initiative to empower underserved communities through the use of 3G wireless technologies. Currently, there are 37 Wireless Reach projects in various stages of development in 22 countries.The Wireless Reach initiative supports programs and solutions that bring the benefits of connectivity to developing communities globally. Wireless Reach projects create new ways for people to communicate, learn, access health care, improve the environment and reach global markets.
What qualifies a specific project to fall within the realm of Wireless Reach?
Wireless Reach projects must showcase 3G CDMA (CDMA2000, EV-DO, EV-DO Rev. A, WCDMA/UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA or HSPA+) technology as a connectivity component particularly in underserved communities. Additional partners in the project may include a combination of other private corporations, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, universities and government institutions. The program must support one of the following areas: education, health care, entrepreneurship, public safety or the environment. Additionally, the project must meet a need in a given community, be in line with the Company's business objectives and have a long-term sustainability plan in place.How are Wireless Reach projects developed?
Wireless Reach provides a template for those interested in submitting a grant proposal for a project. This includes external organizations and companies, as well as internal groups such as government affairs, R&D and business development. Once a proposal is sent to Wireless Reach, it is reviewed by a committee to determine if it meets the criteria for funding. Wireless Reach brings together a variety of stakeholders - private sector corporations, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, universities and/or government institutions - to develop projects that extend and enhance wireless connectivity using Qualcomm advanced technologies and solutions for the benefit of local communities.Where does Qualcomm have Wireless Reach projects underway?
Qualcomm has Wireless Reach projects underway in the following countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United States of America and Vietnam.Why are Qualcomm advanced wireless technologies and solutions suited for underserved populations?
There are many technologies available today to connect people, but some make more sense than others, especially when considering remote and rural geographies, as well as economic realities. We think 3G is the best solution for connectivity because it is fast - with peak data rates up to 14.4 Mbps, affordable and increasingly prevalent. The GSM Association estimated that more than 90 percent of the world's population will be covered under a cellular network by 2010. 13G wireless technologies provide new avenues to connect people, both via voice and high-speed broadband Internet over the same platform. We are seeing an increase in wireless communications year over year. Around the world, mobile phone users have overtaken fixed line subscribers due to the affordable, high-quality voice and data services that are made possible by today's technologies. By the end of 2008, the number of mobile phone subscribers was more than three times the number of fixed line subscribers.2. There are now approximately 780 million 3G CDMA subscribers globally. Additionally, the number of WCDMA and CDMA2000 handsets, currently at 39 percent, is expected to exceed 50 percent by the end of 2009.3
