Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)

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TIA Approves FLO Air Interface Specification

August 3, 2006 | 11:39 AM

http://www.wirelessiq.info/content/newsfeed/7897.html

Publication of FLO Forum's AIS to Accelerate FLO Standardization and Further Supports the Delivery of Mobile Media Services.

MediaFLO USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated, and Verizon Wireless, which operates the nation's most reliable wireless networks, congratulate the FLO Forum for its success in gaining official approval and publication of the FLO Air Interface Specification (AIS) by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) TR- 47.1 Subcommittee. The TIA's approval is a significant milestone in the progression of FLO technology's standardization and will help accelerate the delivery and adoption of mobile media services offered by MediaFLO USA to domestic wireless operators.

"FLO technology is the underlying foundation of the MediaFLO USA network, enabling MediaFLO USA to offer an unprecedented set of wireless multimedia services, such as live streaming video, audio and short format content, to mobile devices," said Gina Lombardi, president of MediaFLO USA. "We applaud the efforts of the FLO Forum and TIA on its accomplishment to standardize FLO, a technology specifically designed for the mobile environment. Standardization will open the door to new opportunities in the area of mobile services, such as those driven by MediaFLO USA today."

"Verizon Wireless is pleased to hear of TIA's publication of the FLO AIS," said Jim Straight, vice president of technology development for Verizon Wireless. "Built on FLO technology, MediaFLO USA's network supports our vision to offer the most innovative multimedia services in the nation. We are confident that FLO's standardization will accelerate the advancement and adoption of new innovative ways to deliver a broader mobile viewing experience and rich, interactive tools to our customers."

FLO technology is a new air interface with multicasting capabilities designed to increase capacity and reduce content delivery costs to mobile handsets. FLO technology enables mobile users to see and hear high-quality video and audio, browse news, sports and weather updates, or watch the stock ticker — wherever they are, anytime and without delays.

Designed from the ground up specifically to multicast significant volumes of rich multimedia content, FLO enables wireless operators to cost-effectively deliver news, entertainment and informational programming in clips and streaming video to millions of mobile users at once. FLO provides the technology for distributing multimedia content efficiently and economically without impacting current networks.

The FLO Forum is a multi-company initiative committed to advancing the global standardization of FLO technology. Composed of industry-leading organizations, the FLO Forum works to develop products and services, based on FLO technology, that enable the delivery of advanced multimedia services to wireless consumers. The FLO Forum is organized to promote the global standardization of FLO technology, including compliance and certification benchmarks for the technology. For more information on membership and the FLO Forum, please visit www.floforum.org.