QUALCOMM Leads Commercial CDMA Wireless Local Loop Deployments with Third
System Launch
Electrosviaz of Rostov Region to Offer Wireless Phone Service in
Rostov-on-Don, Russia
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM)
today announced the commercial launch of a Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) wireless local loop network in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. The network,
operated by Electrosviaz of Rostov Region, will initially serve 2,000 users
and will be expanded to serve 20,000 residents and businesses in the Rostov
region under the terms of the multi-year contract with QUALCOMM. This launch
follows other commercial launches of QUALCOMM cdmaOne(TM), (IS-95 CDMA)
networks in New Delhi, India and Chelyabinsk, Russia earlier this year.
The official first call ceremony was held on October 22, 1997, with the
mayor of Rostov Region and executives from Electrosviaz of Rostov Region and
QUALCOMM in attendance. Ron Uhlig, QUALCOMM's regional vice president of
Infrastructure Sales for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and
Baltic countries, commented, "Because of the visionary leadership at
Electrosviaz of Rostov Region, telephony in the Rostov region will leapfrog
several generations of older technologies directly to CDMA, the most advanced
digital wireless technology available. QUALCOMM is honored to be a
participant in this project, which is delivering reliable, high-quality
communications to the region and will offer further testimony to the many
advantages of CDMA technology. It is truly an accomplishment to have jointly
installed the system and brought it into commercial operation in just over 40
days. I look forward to continued cooperation between Electrosviaz of Rostov
Region and QUALCOMM to expand CDMA service to the entire region."
Valery Ukhov, General Director of Electrosviaz of Rostov Region, expressed
his satisfaction with QUALCOMM, the supplier of the infrastructure and
subscriber equipment and services for the system. "As the developer of CDMA
technology, QUALCOMM has the technical expertise that we require in a vendor
to ensure a successful deployment of our system. In addition, they provide us
with a product that is uniquely suited to our needs. The QCore(TM) 22X
Integrated Base Station Controller, which combines the switch and the
controller in a compact, scaleable unit, is an economical choice for providing
service to the 4.5 million people that reside in many small towns in the
Rostov region."
The first call on the system was placed to Mr. Nail Ismailov, General
Director, Open Joint Stock Company Sviazinvest, the Russian Federation
government shareholder of all Sviazinform and Electrosviaz companies
throughout Russia. Mr. Ismailov stated, "I am very impressed with the
excellent voice quality of the system. I hope that CDMA will eventually serve
not only the Rostov region, but all of Russia."
QUALCOMM's wireless local loop systems, which provide voice quality
similar to that of wireline, can be rapidly deployed and easily expanded, and
deliver economic advantages to operators. QUALCOMM has also deployed a CDMA
wireless local loop system in Chelyabinsk, Russia, and is currently installing
a similar system in Moscow.
Headquartered in San Diego, QUALCOMM develops, manufactures, markets,
licenses and operates advanced communications systems and products based on
its proprietary digital wireless technologies. The Company's primary product
areas are the OmniTRACS(R) system (a geostationary satellite-based, mobile
communications system providing two-way data and position reporting services),
CDMA wireless communications systems and products and, in conjunction with
others, the development of the Globalstar(TM) low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite
communications system. Other Company products include the Eudora Pro(TM)
electronic mail software, ASIC products, and communications equipment and
systems for government and commercial customers worldwide. For more
information on QUALCOMM products and technologies, please visit the Company's
web site at qualcomm.com.
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 and commercial
implementation of the Company's technology, 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 29, 1996 and most recent Form 10-Qs.
QUALCOMM, OmniTRACS and Eudora are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM
Incorporated. QCore and EudoraPro are trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated.
Globalstar is a trademark of Loral QUALCOMM Satellite Services, Incorporated.
cdmaOne is a trademark of the CDMA Development Group.
SOURCE QUALCOMM Incorporated
CONTACT: Michelle French, Infrastructure Media Relations
619-651-2366, or Christine Trimble, Corporate Communications,
619-651-3628 email: ctrimble@qualcomm.com or Julie Cunningham,
Investor Relations 619-658-4224, email: juliec@qualcomm.com, all
of QUALCOMM |
