Apr 02, 2002 Tokyo
QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today congratulates KDDI Corporation (KDDI), Japan's second largest wireless service provider, on the successful commercial nationwide launch of its CDMA2000 1X network in Japan. KDDI is the world's first operator to combine position location services with 3G capabilities in a nationwide system.
KDDI's launch follows commercial CDMA2000 1X deployments in Asia, North America and Latin America by 12 operators. CDMA2000 1X operators are experiencing increased average revenue per user (ARPU) in data-related services, support from an expanded base of device manufacturers and myriad applications from an increasing number of content developers.
CDMA2000 1X subscribers are enjoying a wide variety of handsets with comparable size, weight and battery life to their existing handsets, in addition to color screens and a broad range of new features. Following the commercial introduction of CDMA2000 1X in 2000, the subscriber base has grown rapidly to more than six million. CDMA2000 1X supports the continuing growth of voice services, offering nearly double the voice capacity of cdmaOne(TM) systems, while simultaneously providing new high-speed data capabilities.
KDDI is introducing five new color CDMA2000 1X handsets this month, increasing the total number of CDMA2000 1X devices to more than 90 worldwide. KDDI's devices offer a rich variety of features including downloadable content, browsers, built-in camera, multimedia including MIDI-based music and animation, position location and data rates of up to 144 kilobits per second (kbps).
"The enhanced data and voice capabilities and wide coverage of KDDI's CDMA2000 1X network combined with the broad range of color handsets and compelling applications create a rich user experience and a powerful business model for the operator," said Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs, chairman and CEO, QUALCOMM. "Services such as KDDI's 'eznavigation,' will perform even better with the higher data capabilities, taking full advantage of precise position location services combined with color maps."
In December 2001, KDDI introduced eznavigation service, representing the world's first nationwide launch of gpsOne(TM)-enabled handsets and their location services. The handsets are powered by QUALCOMM's gpsOne-enabled chipsets and system software. gpsOne technology is supported by location server software provided by SnapTrack(TM), a subsidiary of QUALCOMM. KDDI's popular existing services, such as the ezmovie color video clip download service and ezweb that are used by eight million subscribers, will perform even better with the high-speed capabilities provided by KDDI's CDMA2000 1X network. Last month, QUALCOMM and KDDI announced an agreement to launch BREW(TM)-enabled services in Japan. Once KDDI launches its applications download service, the BREW platform will give consumers the ability to personalize their phones by conveniently downloading a wide variety of applications onto their BREW-enabled handsets.
KDDI is Japan's only comprehensive telecommunications company that provides cellular telephone service, domestic and international telephone services, in addition to Internet access services. More than 12 million users have signed up with KDDI's core "au" brand cellular phone business. By leveraging CDMA, which offers superlative cost performance, KDDI plans, as of the end of fiscal 2002, to enable more than 7 million users to operate terminal devices compatible with CDMA2000 1X.
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 CDMA chipsets and system software; technology licensing; the BREW applications platform; QChat(TM) push-to-talk technology; Eudora(R) e-mail software; digital cinema systems; and satellite-based systems including portions of the Globalstar(TM) system and wireless fleet management systems, OmniTRACS(R) and OmniExpress(R). QUALCOMM owns patents that 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 100 telecommunications equipment manufacturers worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2001 FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) 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 30, 2001, and most recent Form 10-Q.
QUALCOMM, OmniTRACS, OmniExpress and Eudora are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. BREW, QChat, gpsOne and SnapTrack are trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. cdmaOne is a trademark of the CDMA Development Group. Globalstar is a trademark of Loral QUALCOMM Satellite Services, Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
