Qualcomm Joins Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Chinese Language and Cultural Education Foundation and China Telecom to Announce 3G Computer Classroom Project in Gansu Province

BEIJING, Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), through its Wireless Reach™ initiative, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council (OCAO), the Chinese Language and Cultural Education Foundation (CLCEF) and China Telecom's Gansu Bureau Linxia Branch today announced the Wireless Reach 3G Connected Computer Classroom Project in Jishishan county, Linxia prefecture, Gansu province.  Using China Telecom's 3G EV-DO wireless network, this project has committed to building seven computer classrooms, which include computers, EV-DO data cards, related software and Internet service, in four local schools. This project aims to boost local economic and social development by improving access to the education necessary to succeed in today's workforce.  

The benefitting schools serve more than 9,000 local teachers and students in the ethnically diverse area of Gansu Province.  Jishishan County's 10 ethnic minorities account for 52 percent of the total population and the government has designated it as a key county for efforts related to national poverty alleviation.  In addition, Jishishan's remote location, high altitude, extreme weather and lack of resources have slowed industrial and agricultural development in the province.  These challenges have all contributed to diminished economic and technological progress and hindered access to education.  Recognizing this need, Qualcomm and its project partners chose Gansu Province to establish Wireless Reach's third 3G Connected Computer Classroom Project for China, enabling local teachers and students to quickly and conveniently access learning resources and improve the quality and efficiency of instruction.  

Qualcomm also has collaborated with Shanghai Yan Bao Hang Public Philanthropic Foundation and Sichuan Unicom to donate 10 wireless computer classrooms to eight schools in Ya'an, Wenchuan, Dujiangyan and Mianzhu, all of which are located in an area affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.  This project benefits more than 14,000 teachers and students.  In Anhui Province, Qualcomm worked with China Telecom Anhui Branch to establish computer classrooms in 21 schools in 17 counties province-wide, reaching more than 65,000 teachers and students.  To date, Qualcomm has donated 75 wireless computer classrooms throughout China since 2007.

"Qualcomm is committed to the persistent exploration and application of leading wireless technologies to improve people's lives," said Jing Wang, executive vice president of Qualcomm Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.  "We believe 3G wireless technology will reduce the digital divide and drive the development of education in China's underserved areas like Gansu, enhancing the education level and boosting opportunities for the community."

"Wireless Reach innovatively enhances education in China's remote areas by building wireless platforms that widen the perspectives of teachers and students, improve education and help alleviate poverty," said Li Haifeng, minister of the OCAO.  "The OCAO hopes to collaborate with more multinational companies with strong corporate social responsibility programs, like Qualcomm, to further improve China's economic and social development."

"Jishishan County in Gansu province is a key county for progress in national poverty alleviation and has been identified by OCAO as one in need of continued assistance," said Lei Zhengang, general secretary of the Chinese Language and Cultural Education Foundation.  "The Foundation is collaborating with Qualcomm and China Telecom Gansu Bureau Linxia Branch to support this project because of our organizational goal of promoting Chinese culture aligns well with the project.  Qualcomm's donation to Jishishan County accelerates local cultural and educational development, which is very commendable and sincerely appreciated."  

The 3G Connected Computer Classroom Project in Gansu has received strong support from the OCAO, CLCEF's superior unit and the local government.  China Telecom Gansu Bureau Linxia Branch, a telecommunications provider in the area, is supporting the implementation of this education project through its 3G wireless network.  By utilizing 3G technology to narrow the digital divide, this project will further the Chinese Government's efforts to improve the economic and social conditions of remote, ethnically diverse areas and enable access to online education and training resources.

About Qualcomm and its Wireless Reach Initiative

Qualcomm believes access to advanced wireless voice and data services improves people's lives. Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative supports programs and solutions that bring the benefits of connectivity to underserved communities globally. By working with partners, Wireless Reach projects create new ways for people to communicate, learn, access health care, sustain the environment and reach global markets. At present, the program has carried out 56 projects in 28 countries worldwide.  For more information, please visit www.qualcomm.com/wirelessreach.

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in next-generation mobile technologies.  For 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of wireless communications, connecting people more closely to information, entertainment and each other.  Today, Qualcomm technologies are powering the convergence of mobile communications and consumer electronics, making wireless devices and services more personal, affordable and accessible to people everywhere.  For more information, visit Qualcomm around the Web:

Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.  Wireless Reach is a trademark of Qualcomm.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated