SAN DIEGO -- October 17, 2000 -- Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced an amendment to Sharp's existing CDMA subscriber unit license agreement which expands the licenses under Qualcomm's CDMA patent portfolio to include the development, manufacture and sale of subscriber equipment for third-generation CDMA (i.e., cdma2000, WCDMA and TD-SCDMA) and 1xEV (HDR) products. Prior to the amendment, Sharp's CDMA license covered only cdmaOne™ applications. Under the terms of the amendment, Sharp will pay Qualcomm a multi-million dollar license fee and ongoing royalties at the same rates irrespective of the licensed CDMA standard.
"This agreement further recognizes the necessity, importance and applicability of Qualcomm's patent portfolio for all third-generation CDMA technologies," said Steve Altman, president of Qualcomm Technology Alliances. "By extending its license agreement, Sharp is now positioned to use Qualcomm's technology to support advanced 3G voice and data communications services as they roll out over the next year. Qualcomm has now entered into 3G license agreements with very significant Japanese, U.S., Korean and European manufacturers."
"Sharp is pleased to offer 3G CDMA technologies in our subscriber products to provide next-generation wireless voice and data products to consumers worldwide," said Yoichi Sakai, corporate director and group general manager of Communication Systems Group, Sharp Corporation. "Our extended agreement with Qualcomm will enable our customers to take advantage of the advanced wireless voice communications and high-speed Internet access capabilities as they become available."
Sharp Corporation is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. As a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of information and communication products, consumer electronics, office equipment and electronic components while creating new network businesses. Sharp recorded consolidated annual sales of $17.7 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. For more information, please visit Sharp's web site at http://www.sharp.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; satellite-based systems including portions of the Globalstar™ system and wireless fleet management systems, OmniTRACS® and OmniExpress™. Qualcomm owns patents which are essential to all of the CDMA wireless telecommunications standards that have been adopted or proposed for adoption by standards-setting bodies worldwide. Qualcomm has licensed its essential CDMA patent portfolio to more than 90 telecommunications equipment manufacturers worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in theS&P500 Index and is a 2000 FORTUNE 500® company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market® 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 Company's ability to successfully design and have manufactured significant quantities of CDMA components on a timely and profitable basis, the extent and speed to which CDMA is deployed, 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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