Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)

[khemara_qc]

CDMA gains toe-hold in European market

19 May 2004 -- PMN -- Romanian operator Zapp has become the first commercial CDMA network in Europe, using CDMA2000 in the 450 Mhz band. Zapp will offer voice and a range of data services based on Qualcomm's BREW platform.

It has launched with just one handset, an operator branded device with a colour screen referred to as the Zapp Series Z710i.

Zapp is controlled by Inquam Limited, a holding company which counts Qualcomm as one of its largest shareholders.

"Qualcomm is pleased to work with Zapp in bringing BREW-based services to Romania," said Johan Lodenius, senior vice president of European business relations and operations, Qualcomm Internet Services. "This launch demonstrates Zapp's commitment to delivering its subscribers options beyond traditional voice features by introducing a diverse suite of compelling, feature-rich data service offerings."

"Zapp is proud to be the first CDMA450 operator to introduce BREW-based services to the market," said Cuneyt Turktan, president of the board of directors, Zapp. "Zapp subscribers will now benefit from an enhanced user experience that allows them to choose from a wide array of communication, customization, information and entertainment options. Zapp Me enables us to provide our clients with the necessary instruments to help them become more efficient and better informed. Qualcomm's BREW solution positions Zapp as a technological leader and a cutting-edge mobile service provider."

Qualcomm's CDMA technology has been effectively shut-out from the European market since the introduction of GSM, but the company is now working to build support for its CDMA450 solution. It is also promoting BREW, its application distribution and execution environment, as a seperate solution capable of deployment over GSM, EDGE or UMTS networks.

Qualcomm is also enjoying success with its W-CDMA chipsets, which it claims are now the market leaders for 3G devices.

http://www.pmn.co.uk/20040519qualcomm.shtml