3G CDMA helps drive economic growth

November 15, 2006

QUALCOMM announced that it will showcase some of its latest innovations in 3G CDMA wireless technology, as well as its efforts towards empowering underserved populations, during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit 2006, in Hanoi, Vietnam, November 16-19, 2006. The Company said it expects that sustained interest and uptake in 3G will continue to propel economic development and transform communications for societies worldwide.

In a highly convergent and mobile world, the role of wireless technology in furthering economies and businesses is increasingly critical. Research has established a strong correlation between information and communications technology (ICT) development and overall economic growth: every 1 percent increase in telephony penetration is correlated with an increase in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of USD240; every 1 percent increase in Internet penetration is correlated with a per-capita increase in GDP of USD493.

"We believe 3G CDMA wireless technology can improve the socioeconomic conditions of underserved communities, enabling people to gain better access to communication, education, healthcare and emergency services," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chief executive officer of QUALCOMM. "3G CDMA wireless access is the best way to improve voice and data communications for local communities, which has been shown to enhance their competitiveness and prosperity. As a leading wireless technology enabler, QUALCOMM is committed to working with the APEC community to support the growth of the wireless industry in the APEC economies."