Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) todayannounced it has signed a multi-year contract with U S WEST Wireless, LLC,estimated to involve sales of at least $50 million, to expand U S WEST'sPersonal Communications Services (PCS) coverage into more than 10 newmarkets. U S WEST, an established wireline, wireless PCS, datanetworking, directory and information services operator, is one of thepremier telecommunications companies in the world. U S WESTs new 1900 MHzcdmaOne™ (IS-95 Code Division Multiple Access) network will make use ofQualcomms advanced QCell™ base station products.
"We experienced the high quality of Qualcomms consumer products firsthand,which led us to explore opportunities with Qualcomm in the wirelessinfrastructure arena," said Peter Mannetti, president of U S WESTWireless. "The unique partnership between Qualcomm Consumer Products andWireless Infrastructure, as well as the value of their combined efforts,were important factors in our decision to expand our relationship withQualcomm to deliver our customers the best possible products andservices."
Qualcomms QCell base stations and QCore™ 22 base station controllerwill interface with U S WESTs existing switching platforms. Through anopen architecture, U S WEST can retain its existing switching technologyinvestments while choosing the best wireless access equipment to serve itsdiverse market needs. Qualcomm will also provide technical training andsome deployment services to U S WEST.
"U S WEST, an industry leader in integrating communications services forthe consumer, has a strong vision for the future of digital wirelesstelecommunications," said John Major, president of Qualcomms WirelessInfrastructure Division. " As a leader in developing and deliveringinnovative CDMA solutions, Qualcomm is uniquely qualified to contribute tothe realization of this vision. Qualcomm looks forward to working closelywith U S WEST to deliver leading-edge CDMA services that meet the diverseneeds of U S WEST customers."
The new network supports the expansion of U S WEST's existing Advanced®PCS™ services, which transparently integrates reliable, high-qualitywireless connections with U S WEST Communications existing wirelinefeatures and services. Qualcomm and U S WEST will also be conducting more than 12 different trials on thenew networks to evaluate various products and services, including HighData Rate (HDR) technology, E-911 and in-building coverage.
U S WEST provides a full range of telecommunications services -- includingwireline, wireless PCS, data networking, directory and informationservices -- to more than 25 million customers nationally and in 14 westernand midwestern states. More information about U S WEST can be found onthe Internet athttp://www.uswest.com.
Headquartered in San Diego, Qualcomm develops, manufactures, markets,licenses and operates advanced communications systems and products based onits proprietary digital wireless technologies. The Company's primaryproduct areas are the OmniTRACS® products, CDMA wireless communicationssystems and products and, in conjunction with others, the development ofthe Globalstar™ low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite communications system.Other Company products include the Eudora Pro® electronic mail software,ASIC products, and communications equipment and systems for government andcommercial customers worldwide. For more information on Qualcomm productsand technologies, please visit the Company's Web site at http://www.qualcomm.com/.Except for the historical information contained herein, this news releasecontains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks anduncertainties, including timely product development, change in economicconditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as the otherrisks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, includingthe report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 1997 and mostrecent Form 10-Q.
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Qualcomm, OmniTRACS, Eudora and Eudora Pro are registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. Globalstar is a trademark of Loral Qualcomm Satellite Services, Incorporated.
