Qualcomm Announces cdma2000 Chip Set Plans, Inks Pact with US West

San Diego, CA-based Qualcomm Inc. has developed its first family of chip sets and system software solutions to support cdma2000 products. The new family, developed by the company's CDMA Technologies Group, will provide wireless manufacturers and operators with a platform to launch cdma2000 handsets and infrastructure products that comply with the Telecommunication Industry Association's cdma2000 specification.

The cdma2000 solution will include mobile station modem (MSM) and cell station modem (CSM) chipsets and system software. The cdma2000 solution provides for a doubling of overall capacity and faster time to market for new higher data rate services. With initial data rates of 144 kb/s to 2 Mb/s, these chip set solutions will enable manufacturers to develop Internet-ready consumer products that provide voice, high-speed data, and video over wireless networks.

Product specifications and availability of the new chip sets and software will be announced later this spring. Qualcomm has developed a seamless migration path that will allow operators to move easily into the next generation of wireless communications. This path allows for compatibility among IS-95A, IS-95B, and cdma2000 networks.

Qualcomm currently supports IS-95B with its fifth-generation MSM3000 chipset and system software (see Qualcomm Ships CDMA Chip Set). The MSM3000 solution supports IS-95B with data rates up to 86.4 kb/s and 200 hours of standby time.

US West agreement
Qualcomm has also announced a 12-month, up to $120 million agreement with wireless operator US West. Under the pact, Qualcomm will provide a variety of wireless phones, including its pdQ and Thin Phone products, to US West, which will sell these products to its CDMA customers.

US West provides a range of telecommunications services, including wireline, wireless, PCS, directory, and information services. The company has more than 25 million customers nationally.