Qualcomm CDMA Technologies and Sprint Commence U.S. Trials for Third Generation CDMA 1xMC Solution
SAN DIEGO – May 10, 2000 – SAN DIEGO -- May 10, 2000 -- Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, and Sprint PCS (NYSE: PCS), operator of the nation's largest all-digital, all-CDMA wireless network, today announced U.S. trials of a third-generation (3G) CDMA 1x Multi-Carrier (MC) voice and data solution that began in April 2000. Trials will include testing and verification of the 144 kilobits per second (kbps) 3G data capabilities using Qualcomm CDMA Technologies' (QCT) MSM5000™ Mobile Station Modem (MSM™) chipset and system software, and CSM5000™ Cell Site Modem (CSM™) base station chip and system software, on a Sprint PCS network. Interoperability testing and qualification with network hardware from multiple infrastructure manufacturers will also be included in the trials. These trials are expected to lead to commercial deployment of 3G CDMA 1xMC networks and services in the United States during 2001 by Sprint PCS.
"Qualcomm's leadership in CDMA, on-time delivery of innovative solutions and hands-on technical support have been instrumental in helping Sprint PCS maintain a roadmap for these 3G 1xMC qualification trials that will bring our customers the benefits of more network capacity, higher data speeds and increased handset battery life," said Oliver Valente, vice president of Technology and Advanced Systems Development, Sprint PCS. "Our goal for a commercial 3G 1xMC rollout in the second half of 2001 is on track and moving forward."
"These 3G 1xMC trials and their timely, successful completion represent the next logical major milestone in the CDMA revolution," said Don Schrock, president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. "Partnering with Sprint PCS and world-leading infrastructure manufacturers, we are utilizing our extensive CDMA experience and engineering excellence to create a cost-effective and efficient migration path to the next generation of wireless systems and services."
The three-way cooperation among Qualcomm, Sprint PCS and the various leading infrastructure equipment manufacturers during the trials is key to ensuring timely testing and trial qualification of the voice and data features that the rollout of new 3G 1xMC systems will demand. These trials follow Sprint PCS' successful over-the-air voice call in March 2000, which was the first by a wireless carrier in North America using 3G CDMA 1xMC technology.
The trials are expected to verify voice capacity improvements over existing IS-95A/B-compliant systems, increased high data rates of up to 153 kbps on both forward and reverse links, and a 50 percent improvement in handset standby times compared with existing IS-95A/B-compliant handsets and infrastructure equipment. The 3G 1xMC trials and associated equipment will support the IS-2000 Release 0 published standard, as well as the latest addenda to Release 0.
QCT's MSM5000 chipset and system software includes support for IS-95A, IS-95B and 3G CDMA 1xMC (IS-2000 Release 0) as well as packet data, an Internet protocol suite, voice recognition and many other features.
The trial handsets and MSM5000 system software are also being tested with QCT's CSM5000 3G 1xMC infrastructure system software. Device sampling and the Phase 1 software release for the CSM5000 solution, which began in Q1 2000, will allow infrastructure manufacturers to deliver equipment to support these trial capabilities.
Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint PCS has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 270 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, visit the Sprint PCS website at http://www.sprintpcs.com. Sprint PCS is a wholly owned tracking group of Sprint Corporation trading on the NYSE under the symbol "PCS."
Sprint is a global communications company at the forefront in integrating long distance, local and wireless communications services and one of the world's largest carriers of Internet traffic. Sprint built and operates the United States' only nationwide all-digital, fiber optic network and is a leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint has $20 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 20 million business and resident customers.
Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT) is the leading developer and supplier of CDMA chipsets, hardware and software solutions, and tools with more than 90 million Mobile Station Modem (MSM) chips shipped worldwide. QCT supplies chipsets to the world's leading CDMA handset and infrastructure manufacturers, including: Acer Peripherals, Inc., ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.; DENSO CORPORATION; FUJITSU LIMITED; Hitachi, Ltd.; Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.; KYOCERA CORPORATION; LG Information and Communications, Ltd.; Samsung Electronics Ltd.; SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.; and TOSHIBA Corporation, among others.
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 75 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 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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Qualcomm, OmniTRACS and Eudora are registered trademarks, and OmniExpress, MSM, MSM5000 and CSM5000 are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. Globalstar is a trademark of Loral Qualcomm Satellite Services, Incorporated. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.