01/25/00 Conf Call - Selected Transcribed Bytes - China
qualcomm.com
Timemark: 40:05
Question: Could you give us an update on what's going on in terms of the negotiations for CDMA in the Chinese market. Thank you.
Timemark: 41:09
IJ: In China, we're very actively carrying on discussions. I think we've made substantial progress but I can't say we have managed to conclude those negotiations. They are active however, and it's just always difficult to say "This is the date we expect it to complete". I think there is alot of interest both on the Chinese side, certainly on our side, of trying to have this negotiation completed quickly, and we ourselves are putting alot of resources into trying to make that happen. We have recently assigned a new country manager in China. We have groups moving frequently between San Diego and China to bring in the latest information, etc. We're talking with a variety of Chinese manufacturers as well, and trying to set the framework for rapid deployment once this negotiation is completed, but I don't have a date to announce.
Timemark: 43:10
Question: So in China, do you have any anticipation of when you'll be able to role systems out over there, when they'll role them out?
Timemark: 43:38
IJ: With regard to China, there are some expansions of systems under way. I think you may have seen some announcements of contracts that have been awarded to expand some of the existing systems. Great Wall, I believe, has been active. Unicom has announced plans to award contracts shortly. They have been gathering information, but again, I don't have a date. There is basically a requirement by MII, the Ministry of Information & Industry to conclude any negotiation with Qualcomm before really allowing a major increase over there. And so, in some sense, there is a negotiation among several parties, including government parties, and so one is never quite sure when that will complete. Clearly, huge market potential in China, very very exciting, but on top of that very large potential one needs to make some profits, so we're trying to balance those 2 items.
Question: So do you think by the end of the first half of this year you might have this done?
IJ: I would be terribly disappointed if it weren't, yes. |
