[Qualcomm and Kyocera Wireless to work together on the development of BREWChat(tm) push-to-chat handsets to be available on CDMA2000 1X release A networks. ]

San Diego -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, and Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and manufacturer of the world's first commercial BREWTM-enabled phone, today announced plans to develop new handsets to support QUALCOMM's BREWChat push-to-chat solution. The technology enables person-to-person and person-to-group communication between subscribers at the push of a button. BREWChat is planned for commercial availability in the first quarter of 2004 and was designed to seamlessly upgrade to and interoperate with QChat. Kyocera Wireless will make a variety of push-to-chat enabled handsets available to operators worldwide including handsets in multiple price tiers serving various market segments.

"Push-to-chat technology is a key driver of urgent mobile communication, and its necessity for both consumer and business users will only increase as the technology becomes more widely available," said Peggy Johnson, president of QUALCOMM Internet Services. "QUALCOMM is excited to team with Kyocera Wireless in offering push-to-chat functionality and compelling devices to operators interested in providing fast and efficient communications services to their subscribers."

"Adding BREWChat to our technology portfolio enables us to provide our carrier partners with an even broader selection of advanced, feature-rich handsets," said Tsuyoshi Mano, president of Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Kyocera Wireless is at the forefront in the development of CDMA push-to-chat handsets and we are looking forward to working closely with QUALCOMM to develop new handsets for the BREWChat platform. Expanding the breadth of our technology and handset portfolio is a win-win for operators and consumers alike."

BREWChat is the first commercially available version of QUALCOMM's push-to-chat solution. BREWChat carries the same features of its root technology, QUALCOMM's QChat solution, but was specifically designed for CDMA2000 1X Release 0 networks. BREWChat enables operators to leverage their CDMA and BREW investments without having to upgrade their networks. BREWChat offers exceptional call set-up performance and bandwidth savings to operators. Trials have been conducted and are currently planned around the world. QChat, which will be commercially available on CDMA2000 1X Release A networks, offers faster performance capabilities.

BREWChat uses standard voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) technologies to enable quick push-to-chat functionality on 3G CDMA wireless devices and networks. The BREWChat client software is written as an application for QUALCOMM's Binary Runtime Environment for WirelessTM (BREW) platform and offers dynamic, over-the-air upgrades of handset software, management of group membership by subscribers and ad-hoc creation of chat groups.

BREWChat and QChat are products of the QUALCOMM Internet Services (QIS) division and QUALCOMM Wireless & Internet (QWI) group of QUALCOMM. QUALCOMM's contract with Nextel Communications Inc. (NXTL) leverages both companies' unique experiences to create the high quality, spectrally efficient QChat technology.

Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA handsets and accessories for customers worldwide. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.

Kyocera Corporation, the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2003, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$9 billion (JP 1,069,770 million) with net income of approximately US$348 million (JP 41,165 million).

QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2003 FORTUNE 500 company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol QCOM.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the extent and speed to which the BREW platform is deployed and the BREW solution is adopted, 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 28, 2003, and most recent Form 10-Q.

More...

Back to Headlines...