SAN DIEGO -- January 14, 2000 -- Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) to jointly develop equipment and support a field trial of Qualcomm's High Data Rate (HDR) technology beginning in 2000. Following a successful trial, Hitachi intends to develop and manufacture HDR infrastructure equipment for commercial use.
"The demand for wireless data services is growing around the world,'' said Yasuo Katou, general manager of CDMA System Business Operation, Telecommunication Systems Division of Hitachi. "We believe we can help carriers meet this growing demand by offering equipment that provides high-performance, cost-effective wireless data services through HDR."
"Optimized for packet data, HDR enables high-speed, always-on wireless Internet access using standard Internet Protocols,'' said Irwin M. Jacobs, chairman and CEO, Qualcomm. "We are pleased that Hitachi has recognized the merits of HDR and plans to manufacture infrastructure equipment to support the deployment of HDR. We look forward to working with Hitachi to make HDR a success.''
Technical trials of HDR are expected to begin in the middle of 2000, and the marketing trials and commercial rollout are expected to occur during 2001. Initial HDR network trials will incorporate evaluations of HDR's air-link performance, advanced feature sets, decentralized Internet Protocol (IP)-based architecture and highly integrated access points. HDR supports e-mail, web browsing, e-commerce, telematics and many other applications while offering end-users continuous, untethered access to the Internet and next generation data services. HDR's versatility allows the technology to be embedded in handsets, laptops and handheld computers, and other fixed, portable and mobile devices.
HDR provides a spectrally efficient 2.4 Mbps peak rate in a standard 1.25 MHz channel bandwidth. Optimized for packet data services, HDR incorporates a flexible architecture based on standard IP. HDR's IP-based architecture allows flexible implementation of this wireless system in high-performance and cost-effective ways. As a complementary solution to voice networks utilizing operator's existing cell sites, towers, antennas and network equipment, HDR technology allows operators to leverage their current infrastructure investment and cellular/Personal Communication Services (PCS) networks. HDR can also be implemented as a stand-alone system using off-the-shelf IP backbone equipment. HDR is compatible with IS-95A, IS-95B and future cdma2000™ networks, enabling existing cdmaOne™ and cdma2000 service providers to obtain higher capacities and superior performance by optimizing voice and data spectrum separately, serving both applications from the same network.
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1998 (ended March 31, 1999) consolidated sales of 7,977 billion yen ($65.9 billion*). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site at: www.hitachi.co.jp.
Qualcomm Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. The Company's business areas include integrated CDMA chipsets and system software; technology licensing; Eudora® email software for Windows® and Macintosh® computing platforms; and satellite-based systems including OmniTRACS® and portions of the Globalstar™ system. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in theS&P500 Index and is a 1999 FORTUNE 500® company traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol QCOM.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including: the risk that the transactions contemplated by the agreement may not close, the technical and marketing trials may not be successful, HDR technology may not become commercially deployed, 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 the 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 26, 1999, and most recent Form 10-Q. At an exchange rate of 121 yen to the dollar.
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