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Press Release

Sprint PCS Launches CDMA Digital PCS Services With Handsets From Qualcomm Personal Electronics

Dec 15, 1996
SAN DIEGO

Qualcomm Personal Electronics (QPE), a joint venture of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM), and Sony Electronics Inc., today announced that Sprint PCS has initiated the launch of its 100% digital, 100% PCS wireless service in a number of its markets with QPE-manufactured CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) digital handsets. The new PCS phones are distributed through Sprint PCS retail stores, as well as through major retail and electronics stores and direct sales channels. Cities launching this week include Fresno, CA; Portland, OR; Spokane, WA; and Milwaukee, WI.

"The successful launch of Sprint PCS marks a significant achievement in the progression of CDMA digital PCS roll-outs," said Stephen Burke, vice president and general manager of Sony/Qualcomm CDMA Sales, a division of QPE. "Sony and Qualcomm worked closely with Sprint PCS to ensure product requirements were met in support of their launch goals. As a result, Sprint PCS is now delivering on their promise to provide improved voice clarity, security and enhanced services from our feature-rich handset."

"The combined strengths of Sony and Qualcomm are helping Sprint PCS make history as we launch the first single technology nationwide PCS wireless network," said Andrew Sukawaty, Sprint PCS chief executive officer. "These first-ever Sony/Sprint co-branded PCS phones give us the ability to deliver the many benefits of our 100% digital, 100% PCS CDMA wireless service to our customers."

The CDMA digital phones supplied to Sprint PCS use Qualcomm-developed CDMA digital technology and Sony-developed Lithium Ion battery technology and deliver extended talk and standby times compared to today's analog cellular technology. Standard features of the phone include voice mail, incoming caller ID and short messaging service. Callers are easily guided through the phone's operations through a user-friendly interface and soft-key menu.The phone's four-line liquid crystal display (LCD) uses icons to indicate signal strength, battery status, transmission mode, roaming status and other functions.

CDMA also offers enhanced call clarity, quality and security. Sprint PCS's digital CDMA network is expected to reduce eavesdropping concerns that traditional cellular users have today and offer improved fraud protection. In addition to the standard features of this state-of-the-art handset, Sprint PCS is developing enhanced, customized features.

Based in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm Personal Electronics is a joint venture of subsidiaries of Qualcomm Incorporated and Sony Electronics Inc. Qualcomm Personal Electronics, which manufactures CDMA portable phones for cellular and personal communications services (PCS) applications, leverages both companies' product, technology and manufacturing expertise. The phones are marketed and sold in North America through Sony/Qualcomm CDMA Sales, a division of Qualcomm Personal Electronics, and throughout the world by Qualcomm and Sony.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including timely product development and commercial implementation of the Company's CDMA technology, continued growth in the CDMA subscriber population and the scale up and operations of CDMA systems, timing and receipt of license fees and royalties, the Company's ability to successfully manufacture significant quantities of CDMA or other equipment on a timely and profitable basis and those related to performance guarantees, change in economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 29, 1996 and most recent Form 10-Qs.

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Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Qualcomm, Qualcomm Dragonwing and Snapdragon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

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