Rooted in tomorrow: Qualcomm and its inventors are focused on the future
A few weeks ago, Qualcomm was recognized as one of "2023's most innovative companies within the U.S. intellectual property space." Surpassing industry giants like IBM, Qualcomm secured first position among U.S.-based companies on IFI Claims' Top 50 U.S. Patent Assignees. In a world driven by technology, this prestigious accolade is a testament to Qualcomm's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of era-defining innovation.
It’s also a reason why I’m a proud employee of the company since joining over 20 years ago, first working on 3G technology and bringing data communications into cellular. I have been proud to witness firsthand that we don’t just invent for invention’s sake. We invent to enable next-generation digital transformation that can enrich lives, improve businesses and advance societies.
Engineering human progress: The impact of Qualcomm's innovations on society
Starting from our development of the groundbreaking code-division multiple access (CDMA) technology through our nearly 40 years of proven solutions, Qualcomm is at the forefront of breakthrough innovations, making it possible to enable intelligent computing everywhere. Our advancements in mobile computing and connectivity — to name a few — positively changed the way we communicate with each other and the world around us via the smartphone. We have since scaled that technology across industries and devices, unlocking broad digital transformation.
And today, our leadership in on-device artificial intelligence (AI) holds the potential to further unlock new possibilities. As a horizontal player that builds foundational technologies for the ecosystem and industries to build upon, we understand and appreciate our role in democratizing technology. Making the digital revolution more accessible and affordable, reducing barriers of entry, enabling innovation and competition, and helping bridge the digital divide is good for business but also good for society at large.
Qualcomm's strength in patent grants
What sets Qualcomm apart is our ecosystem-wide focus and steadfast commitment to innovation. We have invested over $90 billion in research and development since our founding — nearly 20% of annual revenue since 2006. But in addition to funding, the company follows a strategic process that starts with foundational systems research. This important first step carries inherent risks as there is no guarantee of adoption or revenue generation.
We then work closely across the ecosystem to drive technology improvement, enable crucial capabilities and features, and achieve scale through standardization, including compatibility and future-proof scalability. Finally, the company drives implementation through advanced prototyping, software and hardware development, and collaboration across the ecosystem to expedite commercialization.
Qualcomm’s success in 5G is not a coincidence. Rather, it is the result of continuous investments and focused innovation that is made years ahead of the industry. In 2023 alone, we averaged more than 10 patents granted per day. Approximately 75% of these patents are focused on 5G, 5G-Advanced and 6G technologies, further solidifying our position as a leader in connectivity.
Qualcomm's bold vision for tomorrow's technology
The path to an intelligently connected future continues. We are actively strengthening our extensive patent portfolio in key areas such as video, Wi-Fi, AI and more, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of driving digital transformation across industries and powering consumer experiences.
Building on our legacy of innovation, Qualcomm engineers are visionaries. We as a company remain committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that will continue to transform how we live, work and interact with the world around us.
