Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today demonstrated cdmaOne wireless data capabilities on JSC Personal Communications' live Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network at the Expocomm Moscow '98 Show, bringing Russia to the forefront of wireless telecommunications. Russia is a leading deployer of CDMA wireless local loop systems, with four networks supplied by Qualcomm in Moscow, Chelyabinsk, Rostov and Krasnodar. CDMA wireless data offers consumers access to a range of data services, such as browsing the World Wide Web, sending and receiving e-mail, faxing from computers via a wireless link, downloading software applications from the Internet and transferring electronic files.
"Qualcomm is pleased at the opportunity to demonstrate our extensive portfolio of advanced data services on a live network in Moscow, including the first such demonstration of packet data services over CDMA, as well as circuit-switched data and digital fax capabilities," said Ron Uhlig, regional vice president of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Baltic Countries for Qualcomm's Wireless Infrastructure Division. "These capabilities will give our customers the ability to offer their customers access to the Internet and other data applications via their CDMA digital wireless phones. These advanced features bring our customers, like JSC Personal Communications, to the forefront of digital wireless telecommunications and offer them a competitive advantage over other available wireless services."
The Moscow system has the capability to offer packet data, circuit-switched data and digital fax at speeds up to 14.4 kbps. Digital fax allows customers to send and receive faxes via their computers using their CDMA digital phone connection. Circuit-switched data, also known as asynchronous data, allows CDMA phone users to dial into an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or into a corporate Local Area Network (LAN) to access Internet or intranet services. Digital fax and circuit-switched data both employ a technique that is highly efficient for large data transfers, as a dedicated connection is maintained for the duration of the data call. Packet data utilizes the Internet Protocol (IP) to transmit "packets" of data over a network, and is optimal for applications that send and receive data in bursts, such as sending and receiving e-mail, browsing the World Wide Web, or querying the Internet. Packet data offers a direct connection to the Internet in two to three seconds, and requires no "modem training time."
The CDMA wireless local loop system in Moscow, supplied by Qualcomm, provides exceptional voice quality and reliable, secure residential and business telephone services. In a CDMA wireless local loop application, a wireless link is used to replace a traditional copper line to connect telephones with a central switching office, providing an alternative to the costly and time-consuming implementation of wired telephone lines. The customer's wireless phone, which looks and functions like a regular wired telephone, transmits and receives voice and data calls over a wireless link via Qualcomm's CDMA digital wireless technology. Qualcomm's CDMA wireless local loop systems give telecommunications carriers the ability to quickly and cost effectively introduce basic telephone service to large populations in diverse terrain. The Moscow system, which is being installed and optimized now, is already operational and is expected to be providing commercial service shortly.
Qualcomm's products optimize cdmaOne technology to its greatest potential, providing high-performance networks to operators all over the world. The network in Moscow utilizes Qualcomm's distributed IBSC integrated switch and base station controller, 800 MHz base stations and QCT-1000 subscriber terminals.
Qualcomm has emerged as a leader in the WLL arena with commercial WLL systems in Chelyabinsk and Rostov, Russia and New Delhi, India, and other WLL deployments underway or planned in Asia, Africa and the CIS. Qualcomm's mobile CDMA systems are also being deployed in several countries. As the pioneer of CDMA technology, Qualcomm continues to invest in research, development and standardization of new CDMA features and services, as well as third-generation digital wireless technologies.
Headquartered in San Diego, Qualcomm develops, manufactures, markets, licenses and operates advanced communications systems and products based on its proprietary digital wireless technologies. The Company's primary product areas are the OmniTRACS system (a geostationary satellite-based, mobile communications system providing two-way data and position reporting services), CDMA wireless communications systems and products and, in conjunction with others, the development of the Globalstar low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite communications system. Other Company products include the Eudora Pro electronic mail software, ASIC products and communication equipment and systems for government and commercial customers worldwide. For more information on Qualcomm products and technologies, please visit the Company's web site at http://www.qualcomm.com.
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, 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 28, 1997 and most recent Form 10-Q.
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