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

To: Walter Liu who wrote (8248)	2/9/1998 10:35:00 AM
From: dougjn	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 152472

Two phones in one should have very little size impact. Only things you need two of are the RF crystals and perhaps a bit of the RF amplifier circuitry. Q is simply way down at the beginning of the miniaturization learning curve, unlike Motorola w/respect to its 15 year old analog circuitry. Understandably, of course. I agree dual mode is essential, then miniaturization. I for one have been unwilling to consider CDMA for my own use until dual mode is offered, given the still lagging coverage foot prints of CDMA. While people who use built in car phones may have a largely local perspective, I'd bet that a very substantial portion of the non-criminal enterprise users of pocketables feel as I do. Doug

To: Walter Liu who wrote (8248)	2/9/1998 1:50:00 PM
From: Elroy Jetson	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 152472

Analogue phones can be easily cloned, and like increased bandwidth, this means CDMA has benefits for the carrier, but its not relevent for the end-user. Airtouch has complete CDMA coverage, but like many people who use expensive cell phones, I travel a lot. Today this means you need analogue and or GSM (except for Korea of course). If Qualcomm wants their Q phones to appeal to the luxury market, they'll have to offer some benefit to phone user. Benefits to Airtouch don't impress me. Like GSM, CDMA offers static-free service less likely to be overheard- this is the ONLY end-user benefit. Like GSM, CDMA offers longer battery life- but my Startac stays on and lasts all day. CDMA offers bigger phones that cost more and can't be used in most parts of the world. CDMA also offers many benefits to the wireless Carrier like no cloning, and greater bandwidth utilization, The Q-Phone offers the luxury market static-free secure service in a bigger phone at the cost of using your phone only in selected cities of the world. That doesn't appear luxurious to me! Virtually all Q-phones in the US are sold to Economy customers who are attracted by the lower 10 cents a minute rates of PCS compared to my 22 cent contract rate. What a marketing concept! Selling "luxury" phones to the economy market. Qualcomm has a long way to go before they can sell phones to high-end customers. Luxury products offer the owner better service and enhanced features, for which I'll gladly pay a higher price. The Q-phone does not fit that description.