AMSTERDAM -- February 3, 2000 -- eQ-COM, a newly formed European unit of U.S.-based Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), today announced that it has signed an agreement with Vodafone Airtouch to provide Pan-European data services for the Company's mobile fleet management system. eQ-COM will provide wireless communications-based fleet management solutions to the European freight transport industry and other transportation-based industries. Debuting its products and services at the European Road Transport Show in Amsterdam, the newly created eQ-COM will launch commercial operations in four countries -- United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany and Italy -- in Spring 2000.
Under terms of the agreement between eQ-COM and Vodafone Airtouch, Vodafone Airtouch will provide Pan-European data services to eQ-COM through its own network in the UK and its affiliate network operators throughout Europe. Provision of data services across Europe will be phased in accordance with eQ-COM's fleet management service roll-out plan. While the initial eQ-COM product and service will utilize GSM SMS, it is envisioned that future offerings could take advantage of upcoming wireless data services that provide greater capabilities at lower costs.
"We selected Vodafone Airtouch as our supplier of data services for its unique ability to offer service through its large number of affiliates across the European continent," stated Phil White, president of Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions.
"Geographic reach and scale are now more and more important for the delivery of new products and services serving the mobile customer across a range of different markets," said Chris Gent, chief executive of Vodafone AirTouch Plc. "We are delighted to join together, once again, with the Qualcomm team with whom we have dealt, in different areas, for a number of years."
Vodafone AirTouch Plc is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company, with a current market capitalization of around £100 billion. The Group is focused on mobile voice and data communications, two of the fastest growing segments in the telecommunications industry. Vodafone AirTouch is headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire, with San Francisco serving as the US/Asia Pacific regional headquarters and technical center for the combined Group. It has a global reach with operations in 24 countries and more than 35.5 million proportionate customers worldwide.
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® e-mail 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 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 26, 1999, and most recent Form 10-Q.
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