Qualcomm Wins BWA Spectrum in the 2.3 GHz Band in India

MUMBAI, India and SAN DIEGO, June 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, today announced that it is a provisional winner of BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) – unpaired spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band – in four telecom circles in India.  Qualcomm was one of 11 bidders participating in the BWA auction and has provisionally won one, 20 MHz slot of spectrum in the circles of Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala.  Qualcomm's final bid was INR 4912.54 Crore or approximately 1.045 Billion USD.(1)

LTE is best suited to address the demand for high-bandwidth mobile broadband services in India's 2.3 GHz band and can seamlessly interwork with current and future 3G HSPA and EV-DO networks.  Qualcomm offers the industry's first 3G/LTE multi-mode chipsets, which will enable a seamless mobile broadband experience for consumers while roaming within India or globally through the use of integrated multi-mode devices.  Qualcomm will continue to play a central role in the LTE ecosystem with a focus on enabling the creation of devices and services best suited for the Indian market.

"Qualcomm innovations helped trigger the wireless revolution in India by making mobile communications affordable and accessible," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of Qualcomm.  "Along with our ecosystem partners, we are now poised to accelerate  the mobile broadband revolution with 3G HSPA, EV-DO and LTE to the benefit of all Indians."

"Qualcomm congratulates the Indian government on the successful completion of the 3G and BWA auctions and is pleased with the opportunity to now enable the entire addressable market in India with its advanced wireless solutions.  LTE offers a seamless consumer experience by complementing 3G HSPA and EV-DO networks, protecting the significant investment Indian operators have made in securing 3G and BWA spectrum," said Kanwalinder Singh, president of Qualcomm India and South Asia, and senior vice-president of Qualcomm.  "Our bidding objective was to secure an enabling role in the continued success of Indian operators with 3G and beyond, and we are extremely gratified we met that objective.  With its ecosystem partners, Qualcomm will now foster the deployment of LTE, so Indian consumers can enjoy the benefits of 3G now and 3G plus LTE in the future."

Qualcomm anticipates the Government of India formally approving results of the BWA Auction shortly.  Qualcomm will soon announce its Indian partners in compliance with the applicable Indian Foreign Direct Investment regulations.  The Company and its partners will work towards demonstrating LTE technology with the goal of creating LTE infrastructure and device ecosystem that, in concert with 3G networks and devices, will support India's broadband goals.  Qualcomm and its partners will decide the venture's strategy in due course.  Qualcomm's goal is to attract one or more experienced 3G HSPA and/or EV-DO operator partners into the venture for construction of an LTE network in compliance with the Indian Government's rollout requirement for the BWA spectrum, and then to exit the venture.

LTE has strong and growing industry support, with commitments from global ecosystem partners, including operators, chipset vendors and equipment suppliers.  Eighty operators have made firm commitments to deploy LTE networks in 33 countries, and 22 LTE networks are expected to be in service by the end of 2010, according to GSA.  Leading operators worldwide are committed to a complementary 3G and LTE strategy.

Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies.  Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in the S&P 100 Index, the S&P 500 Index and is a 2010 FORTUNE 500® company.  For more information, please visit www.qualcomm.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company's ability to successfully accelerate India's mobile broadband growth through the deployment of LTE in India, the speed by which and the extent the LTE ecosystem develops, the Company's ability to successfully design and have manufactured significant quantities of 3G/LTE multi-mode chipsets on a timely and profitable basis, the Company's ability to successfully and timely engage Indian partners on commercially satisfactory terms in order for the subject venture to be in compliance with applicable Indian Foreign Direct Investment regulations, the venture's ability to timely and successfully develop and execute its strategy, the venture's ability to timely satisfy the Indian Government's rollout requirements, the Company's ability to exit the venture on a timely basis on satisfactory terms and conditions, and change in economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, 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 27, 2009, and most recent Form 10-Q.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update, or continue to provide information with respect to, any forward-looking statement or risk factor, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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

(1)  As per exchange rate 1 USD = 46.94 INR

SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated