Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)

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Qualcomm Rolls Technology For Cell Phone 'Channel Surfing'

http://www.techweb.com/wire/hardware/49900986

By TechWeb.com

Qualcomm reported that it has developed two multicast technologies for delivery over its CDMA networks to mobile handsets. Announced Tuesday, the wireless-technology firm said the multicast innovations will be in network trials next year.
The 1xEV-DO Platinum Multicast is backwards compatible with Qualcomm's high-speed EV-DO technology and is planned to operate with Qualcomm's CDMA2000 and WCDMA networks.

The other multicast technology--called FLO (forward link only)--is also complementary with CDMA2000 and WCDMA networks. In addition, it will operate with mobile devices in which low battery-power consumption is called for. The two new multicast features are planned to spur the use of multimedia in cell phones and other mobile devices.

"Wireless multimedia services are gaining traction in leading markets, but, as consumer demand increases, the cost becomes prohibitive to deliver the same multimedia content individually to each user in a large subscriber base," said Dr. Paul Jacobs, executive vice president and president of Qualcomm Wireless and Internet group, in a statement.

"EV-DO Platinum and the FLO technology innovations will augment existing unicast networks to much more cost effectively enable the most desirable multimedia applications--including real-time, high-quality video. The Media FLO systems wraps these new technologies into a complete end-to-end system that allows customers to interact with wireless multimedia in a way they're accustomed to--enabling 'channel surfing' on their mobile handsets."