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Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: MileHigh who wrote (40296)	9/9/1999 9:28:00 PM
From: gdichaz	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 152472

MileHigh: Suggest you check out Gregg Powers posts for his view on the sale of the handset division. A few points (mine not his): 1. The purpose of the "handset" division is to be the basis for a wide series of cutting edge handheld devices which make the nexus of wireless and the internet a reality. That may be best described as a phone or a "handset" but suggest it will be much much more. 2. Handheld devices will be the sin qua non of the wireless revolution re data. 3. For the Q to give up the possibility of participating directly in the explosive growth in this leading edge technology is (shall we say politely) shortsighted in the extreme. And of course, the Q is making money from handsets. The Q keeps its name in the hands of the public with its handsets. The Q is on track to widen its margins on handsets by simplifying the gizzards within and lowering costs - a trailblazing activity. And on and on. And finally, since Dr J has brought the Q from nothing to the central position in CDMA in a decade, I for one would trust his and his fellow managers' judgement that now is not the time to get out of this business, but he has shown a willingness to change that if it makes sense to do so a few years down the road. I'll go with that, particularly since I suspect he will do what he thinks best for the Q regardless of friendly and well meaning gratuitous advice from here. Chaz

To: MileHigh who wrote (40296)	9/9/1999 9:32:00 PM
From: Cosmo Daisey	Respond to of 152472

Mile High, Alternatively build satelite CDMA phones for GSTRF where they hold a equity position and provide CDMA equipment. Less competition in satelite phones and better margins. CDMA / analog / satelite roaming phone is the next generation handset for the world. Eighty percent of the US doesn't have cellular coverage and satelite roaming will be a big hit. GSTRF is hinting at $1 a minute roaming charge. Who wouldn't want that roaming agreement? If you get off a major highway in the US there isn't any coverage with cell. cdaisey@hello?-no-service.com

To: MileHigh who wrote (40296)	9/9/1999 9:36:00 PM
From: slacker711	Respond to of 152472

Or I guess my real question is what is holding back supply of handsets? Lack of infrastructure available to produce handsets? Or lack of full commitment form handset companies to focus on CDMA? If the latter, could Q provide an incentive via JV or investment to increase industry capacity/supply of CDMA handsets? Short-term the component shortage probably held down the number of handsets shipped last quarter as well as this quarter. If these are resolved the Q will likely be shipping around 1m handsets a month for the 4th calendar quarter. I believe that Qualcomm was relatively conservative in their ramp up of production due to some of the production problems that they experienced in '97 and '98. Management focused on the quality of current production before looking at expansion. Probably a good idea since they need the handset division to at least break even to allow the other divisions to really shine. Slacker