SAN DIEGO -- February 17, 2000 -- Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced that it has signed an agreement to license its High Data Rate (HDR) technology product designs to LG Information and Communications, Ltd. (LGIC) of Seoul, Korea. Under the agreement, LGIC will pay the same royalty rates on HDR products as specified in the LGIC's existing licensing agreement with Qualcomm for CDMA products.
"The worldwide demand for wireless data services is increasing rapidly," said Stephen Juh, vice president of strategic alliances, LGIC. "LGIC believes HDR is the technology to support this growing need for high-speed wireless Internet access. By utilizing Qualcomm's HDR product designs, LGIC will provide advanced, cost-effective products to the growing market."
"To have an outstanding manufacturer such as LGIC commit to manufacture HDR infrastructure and subscriber terminals demonstrates HDR's continued momentum in the wireless marketplace," said Jeff Jacobs, senior vice president of business development, Qualcomm. "We are excited to have LGIC join a growing list of wireless equipment manufacturers and service providers that have recognized the benefits of HDR."
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 Internet Protocol (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.
Technical trials of HDR are expected to begin in 2000, and the marketing trials and commercial rollout are expected to occur during 2001. 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.
LGIC (www.lgic.co.kr) has been the forerunner in developing CDMA technology for commercial purposes throughout the world. LGIC has succeeded in developing the world's first digital cellular system adopting CDMA technology. With this system, the commercial CDMA cellular service was launched in Korea in January 1996. LGIC is driving to provide total solutions to meet the challenges of next-generation mobile communications, the so-called IMT-2000, through developing technologies that enable wireless communications of large amounts of data and moving images, as well as voice.
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.
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