Qualcomm Joins African Telecommunications Union

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) today announced that Qualcomm has joined the ATU as an associate member.  The Company will work together with the ATU's 18 other associate members and 46 members toward harmonizing policies and regulations for information and communications technology (ICT) development in Africa.  

ATU plays a central role in the promotion of telecommunications, bringing together influential representatives of the government and industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technological expertise for the benefit of the continent.  As an associate member, Qualcomm has the opportunity to actively participate in ATU activities, as well as add their voice to the Union as it makes important and valuable contributions to the telecommunications developments that will reshape the continent and the world at large.

"Qualcomm's associate membership in ATU enables them to join a multi-national, pan–African community from government and industry," said Akossi Akossi, secretary general of the African Telecommunications Union.  "This public-private collaboration provides invaluable opportunities to share ideas and knowledge as we work towards the common goal of dramatically increasing the development of Africa's information and communication infrastructure."

"As the world becomes increasingly mobile, the ability to easily connect becomes more vital," said Dr. Hamadoun Toure, secretary general of the ITU.  "As the regional interface of the International Telecommunication Union, ATU is a key force in driving the development and deployment of advanced wireless technologies and services in Africa.  I look forward to Qualcomm's participation and contributions to this vital organization."

"Qualcomm is pleased to join ATU and looks forward to enhanced and ongoing collaboration," said Elizabeth Migwalla, senior director of government affairs for Qualcomm.  "Telecommunications is an important aspect of African economic development and we are excited to play a part in the advancement of mobile broadband communications in Africa."

About Africa Telecommunications Union

Founded in Kinshasa in 1977, as a specialized agency of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU) in the field of telecommunications, ATU is the leading continental organization fostering developments of information and communications technologies infrastructure and services.

For nearly 33 years, ATU has coordinated the Regional positions in the International foras in relation to Standardization, Radio communication and Development of ICT.  It brings together the most influential representatives of Government and Telecommunications and ICT Industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the developing continental community.

About Qualcomm  

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:

www.qualcomm.com

Corporate Blog: www.qualcomm.com/blog

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

SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated