Industry News

Sprint Signs Agreement Valued at Approximately $400 Million with QUALCOMM For the Purchase of CDMA Digital Handsets; Phones to Include QUALCOMM's New Internet-Capable Thin Phone And the pdQ(tm) Smartphone

Kansas City, MO, July 20, 1999 -- Sprint's wireless division, Sprint PCS, and QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced an agreement valued at approximately $400 million for the purchase of QUALCOMM's CDMA all-digital PCS phones. This agreement provides Sprint PCS with QUALCOMM's new Internet-capable Thin Phone and pdQ smartphone for distribution throughout Sprint PCS's 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide CDMA digital network. Sprint PCS is the nation's fastest growing wireless carrier with service in more than 280 metropolitan markets nationwide. Shipments to Sprint of the QUALCOMM Thin Phone, incorporating the Phone.com(tm) UP.Browser(tm) microbrowser, are scheduled to begin later this summer.

"With the addition of QUALCOMM's advanced new Internet-ready phones, Sprint PCS offers businesses and consumers a new level of communication service and information access," said Andy Sukawaty, president for Sprint PCS. "The Sprint PCS network provides the only all-digital nationwide network that was built from the ground up to offer a new level of wireless clarity and soon nationwide Internet Access with these browser-equipped and easy-to-pocket new phones."

"QUALCOMM's new Thin Phone follows on the success of the popular QCP series to offer Sprint PCS customers exceptional voice quality in an ultra-thin, extremely lightweight package," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, president, QUALCOMM Consumer Products. "With Sprint PCS' nationwide CDMA network, users will have the freedom to access the Internet from wherever they are."

The QUALCOMM Thin Phone and pdQ smartphone support standard Internet protocols, enabling end-to-end security for wireless applications. The pdQ smartphone is the only smartphone to offer the popular Palm Computing(R) platform and support full-time access to the Internet based on standard Internet protocols. The phones will be co-labeled with the QUALCOMM and Sprint PCS brands. Sprint PCS will distribute QUALCOMM's Thin Phone and the pdQ smartphone to customers through Sprint PCS retail stores and direct sales channels, as well as major third-party retail and electronics stores.

The new QUALCOMM Thin Phone incorporates the Company's latest integrated CDMA Mobile Station Modem (MSM(TM)) chipset, provides 2.5 hours of continuous talk time or up to 80 hours of standby time with its included standard lithium ion battery. The optional external battery, purchased separately, provides talk time of up to 10 hours or standby times of up to 17 days. The phone itself is so thin and light, weighing in at just over 4 ounces, that it is as comfortable in your hand as it is in your pocket.

The Thin Phone will be available to Sprint PCS customers in two models: a single-mode 1900 MHz CDMA all-digital PCS single-mode phone, and a dual-band, dual-mode CDMA all-digital PCS and analog cellular phone. Both phones support state-of-the-art phone, paging, voice mail and data transfer features. They offer a five-line backlit LCD display and have two smart keys that enable easy navigation through the user interface menu. The phones include a customizable phone directory with 99 memory locations. New technology called Enhanced Variable Rate Coder (EVRC) is included to support increased network capacity.

The new QUALCOMM pdQ 1900 MHz CDMA Digital PCS smartphone features a flip-down phone keypad for easy call dialing and a large, 160-by-240 pixel LCD touch screen for displaying information and data entry. Any number in the pdQ smartphone's address book can be dialed simply by tapping on that name with the included stylus or dialing from the pdQ smartphone's keypad. Users can input data three ways: through Palm Computing's Graffiti(R) power writing software, the on-screen keyboard or though a personal computer's keyboard when connected to the pdQ smartphone with the included HotSync(R) technology. Using HotSync, users can transfer and synchronize information between the pdQ smartphone and a personal computer, including wireless synchronization of Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange data via the Sprint PCS network. The pdQ smartphone ships with a charging/synchronization cradle, lithium ion battery and a headset that enables users to talk on the phone while simultaneously using the PDA portion of the unit.

Suggested retail price for the QCP-1960 is $99.99, for the QCP-2760 is $129.99 and for the pdQ is $799.99. Both models of the Thin Phone and the pdQ phone will be available through Sprint PCS later this year.

Sprint PCS and Yahoo! recently announced an agreement to offer Yahoo!Web content and services to Sprint PCS wireless subscribers using Sprint PCS phones. Under the terms of the agreement, Sprint PCS and Yahoo! will jointly provide a range of co-branded Sprint PCS and My Yahoo! Internet information services, including e-mail, to both companies' users. The companies expect to make the services available in the fourth quarter of 1999. The Thin Phone is one of the many Sprint PCS phones expected to deliver these services.

Bell Atlantic Mobile, Motorola and Phone.com Collaborate to Create Over-the-Air Provisioning; Carrier to Manage Preferred Roaming Lists and Provide Electronic Customer Care Directly to Customers' Handsets

Redwood City, CA, July 19, 1999 -- Bell Atlantic Mobile, Motorola and Phone.com, Inc. announced today a collaborative effort to deliver Wireless Application Protocol based over-the-air provisioning capabilities for CDMA handsets. This effort combines Internet and telephony open standards to create a system capable of delivering provisioning information as well as electronic customer care to Bell Atlantic Mobile subscribers via CDMA phones. Motorola will provide the initial CDMA phones used by this effort, launching with Phone.com's version 3.1 UP.Browser(TM) and migrating towards full WAP compliance in 2000. The results of the collaboration will be submitted to the CDMA Developments Group's (CDG) Over The Air Handset Management Subgroup for stage II standardization.

Bell Atlantic Mobile licensed an enhanced version of the Phone.com(TM) UP.Link(TM) Server Suite. The UP.Link system enables Bell Atlantic Mobile to gain more control of its costs by dynamically managing which networks its customers "roam" on outside of the company's service territory. With the system, Bell Atlantic Mobile will be able to "steer" customers to a select list of wireless carriers' networks which offer the best service available outside the company's footprint and the most favorable roaming fees. This capability will further improve the economics of Bell Atlantic Mobile's SingleRate(R) digital price plans.

With the over-the-air provisioning system, Bell Atlantic Mobile will be able to provide its subscribers with a new level of customer care by automatically keeping each mobile phone updated with the most recent versions of network information such as roaming lists, area code information, and other data parameters. The UP.Link Server Suite will also provide Bell Atlantic Mobile with the opportunity to deliver electronic customer care. Subscribers will be able to check their bill, and interactively manage their individual account features directly from the interface on their mobile phone.

Bell Atlantic, Motorola and Phone.com are committed to the use of open standards, such as WAP, to achieve a flexible provisioning system that can rapidly adjust to fast-changing technology requirements. As mobile phones gain more functionality, such as Internet microbrowsers, contact management and email, the carrier must manage more complex user profiles. In the future, this provisioning system will be based on open standards and available to all CDMA carriers, handset manufacturers, and software suppliers.

"The WAP based over-the-air provisioning system will allow us to expand our sales channels and provide a new level of customer care," said Richard Lynch, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Bell Atlantic Mobile. "It is our vision to provide our customers with instant activation, updated software, access to Email and the Internet plus e-care services in a manner that is completely automated and personalized for the customer. With the UP.Link Server Suite and Motorola's browser-enabled phones, customers will begin using their wireless handsets as functional tools for accessing banking information, purchasing products or other Internet-based information services."

"Motorola is pleased to play a leading role in bringing a new generation of Internet-capable CDMA solutions to market," said Janiece Webb, senior vice president and general manager of Motorola's Personal Networks Group. "We are able to push the technology further with Internet and over-the-air provisioning capabilities for our CDMA handsets. Motorola is committed to provide WAP compliant browser and server capabilities to the industry and views this solution as an important first step towards that goal."

"Phone.com's products leverage our WAP technology leadership to provide carriers with secure, powerful, and extensible over-the-air provisioning capabilities," said Alain Rossmann, chairman and chief executive officer of Phone.com. "As wireless phones and networks become more feature-rich our products will allow carriers to automatically update the software and settings of these phones without subscriber intervention. We expect that revenue from this activity will impact our company in our FY2001."

GartnerGroup's Dataquest Says CDMA Was Best-Selling Mobile Handset Technology in the U.S. During First Quarter 1999

San Jose, CA, July 12, 1999 -- The U.S. mobile handset market has begun the transition to code-division multiple access (CDMA) and is becoming the dominant digital technology in the United States, according to Dataquest Inc., a unit of Gartner Group, Inc.

CDMA (IS-95) handsets were the No. 1 selling handsets in the United States during the first quarter of 1999 with sales of 3.2 million units, surpassing the more established time-division multiple access (TDMA) technology, which accounted for 2.8 million units in the first quarter. U.S. digital mobile handset sales totaled 7 million units in the first quarter of 1999. TDMA (IS-136) had been the No. 1 handset technology in 1998 with 8.2 million unit sales, followed by CDMA with 6.8 million units and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) 1900 with 2.9 million units.

Nokia continued to lead the U.S. digital handset market, reaching 32.4 percent market share in the first quarter of 1999 (see Table 1). Nokia was also the No. 1 vendor in the segment in 1998, when its market share was 34.5 percent. QUALCOMM was the No. 3 vendor in 1998, but the company moved into the No. 2 position in the first quarter of this year.

Company Q1/99 Market Share (%) Nokia 32.4 QUALCOMM 14.8 Ericsson 12.7 Motorola 11.2 Audiovox 7.4 Total Market 100.0 Source: Dataquest (July 1999)

"With the United States becoming a home market for CDMA, handset vendors that win here will have an advantage as the technology spreads to the Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions," Mr. Hoffman said.

Additional information on this market is available by subscribing to Dataquest's Mobile Communications Terminal Devices North America Program.. This program provides detailed forecasts and actionable analysis of developments in the mobile communications terminals sector and the fast-changing distribution channels through which they reach the market. More information on this program is available on Dataquest's Web site at http://www.dataquest.com/dq/static/offer/programs/mobdnads19981130.html.

To subscribe to this program, please call 800-419-DATA or 408-468-8009. More information about Dataquest's programs, descriptions of recent research reports, and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet http://www.dataquest.com.

GartnerGroup's Dataquest is the recognized leader in providing the high-technology and financial communities with market intelligence for the semiconductor, computer systems and peripherals, communications, document management, software, and services sectors of the global information technology industry.

As the world's leading authority on IT, GartnerGroup provides clients with a wide range of products and services in the areas of IT advisory services, measurement, research, decision support, analysis, and consulting. Founded in 1979, with headquarters in Stamford, Conn., GartnerGroup is at the center of a global community serving Fortune 1000 clients from 80 locations worldwide. Additional information about the company is available on the Internet at http://www.gartner.com.

Free Distribution of "My Deck Editor," A Tool for the Easy Creation of "EZweb" and "EZaccess" Compatible Home Pages

Tokyo, Japan, July 6, 1999 -- DDI Corp. and IDO Corp. have announced that they intend to freely distribute "My Deck Editor v1.0," an editing tool designed for the creation of home pages compatible with the Internet services EZweb and EZaccess.

EZweb (offered by the DDI Cellular Group) and EZaccess (offered by IDO) are wireless Internet access services based on the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and offered exclusively on DDI’s and IDO’s cdmaOne™ SuperDigital service. The contents of these Internet services are described using HDML, a markup language related to HTML but optimized for Web browsing with a mobile terminal.

My Deck Editor is a software program that enables anyone with a PC to create HDML home pages by simply inputting text following the on-screen procedures. No specific knowledge of HDML is required.

By freely distributing this tool, DDI and IDO hope to promote the spread of private and corporate home pages that comply with the international WAP standard, and thereby increase the content accessible via EZweb and Ezaccess on cdmaOne™

Summary
The HDML format is structured similar to HTML in that statements are put between tags, but HDML includes various modifications made to facilitate the use of mobile terminals to surf the Web. For this reason, up until now anyone versed in HTML who wanted to write something in HDML needed to learn the differences.

My Deck Editor eliminates the need to acquire specific knowledge about HDML, making it easy for anyone to create home pages in HDML.

Product features
(1) A Wizard provides on-screen guidance to enter personal information like names, addresses and phone numbers, together with desired text and pictures. You can even draw your own bitmap pictures.
(2) A simulator shows you what the home page will display like on the screen of a cellular phone.
(3) As the final step, specify a server and upload the finished deck.

Operating environment
Required disk space: Minimum of 7MB (10MB recommended)
Operating system: Japanese Windows 95/98, Windows NT 4.0
Recommended hardware: Pentium-class CPU and at least 32MB of memory Monitor capable of displaying SVGA (800 X 600)
Other requirements: Internet Explorer ver. 3.02 or later installed

Method of distribution
(1) Download from the Internet
-- From DDI's EZweb Web site http://www.ezweb.ne.jp/
-- From IDO's Web site http://www.ido.co.jp/
(2) On CD-ROM
-- Bundled in magazine CD-ROMs
-- From cellular phone service outlets (DDI)

Start of distribution
After mid-July.

Distributor
Dennotai Co.

Other information In order to view HDML home pages, you must contract with a provider that has set up their servers for the HDML file format. Below is a list of providers that currently support HDML files. The list is expected to increase in the future.

Compatible providers, as of July 6, 1999
DION, InterQ ORIGINAL, InterQ MEMBERS, KCOM, NeWeB, NIFTY SERVE, PSINet, So-net, TWICS, Tokyo Internet, NetLaputa, Rimnet.

Special Features of HDML HDML stands for Handheld Device Markup Language. Derived from HTML, it is a description language specifically optimized for mobile terminals browsing the Web. HDML was developed by the U.S. venture company and WAP Forum founding member Phone.com (formerly Unwired Planet), and it serves as the original basis for the WAP content description language WML (Wireless Markup Language).

HDML has the following features:
(1) Cards and decks
HDML is conceptualized as "decks of cards," which differentiates the language from HTML. The "deck" plays a role similar to one HTML home page, but each deck stores a number of "cards."

When you view a normal HTML home page, each time you jump from page to page you need to download that page. In contrast, with HDML you first store several pages' worth of cards in a deck and download it all at one time. Since the data is stored in the terminal's memory cache, the user can smoothly navigate between cards.

(2) Tags
HDML uses to enclose statements just like HTML, but because a cellular phone has such a small screen, far fewer tags are needed to format the display.

The WAP-compatible gateway server "EZ Server" supports both the HDML and the WML languages, but because WML is still being standardized by the WAP Forum, the HDML language presently offers a greater variety of functions. Thus, we recommend the use of HDML for EZweb and EZaccess. In the future, as updated versions of WML become available, the two will become integrated.

Press Contact:
TOKYO Public Relations Section: Yoshiaki Koshimizu [81](3) 3263.2136
SEATTLE – IDO Lab John Martin [1](206) 322.7918

Customer Relations
IDO Customer Service Center
Domestic Toll-Free (0120) 157.160

Vendor News

DSP-COMMUNICATIONS (DSPC) Licenses CDMA Data Software to Cadence; CDMA Software to Support Internet Browsers, Circuit Data and Packet Data in CDMA Mobile Phones

CUPERTINO, CA, -- July 29, 1999 -- DSP Communications, Inc. today announced it has signed a licensing agreement with Cadence for CDMA data software. This agreement allows Cadence to integrate the CDMA IS707A protocol software enabling higher rate data services and support for internet browsers, circuit data and packet data in next generation CDMA mobile phones. "DSPC is helping to bring advanced data capabilities to CDMA handsets," said Monty Ghitter, Vice President Software for DSPC. "Valuable content is becoming widely available and more accessible to mobile subscribers. By licensing our CDMA data software, our customers will be able to offer a new generation of web-enabled devices with compelling features and new capabilities."

"We are excited to partner with DSPC in our goal to provide Cadence's customers with an even more powerful tool for mobile communications," said Peter Fornell, CDMA Business Manager for Cadence Wireless Design Services. "DSPC's proven system software provides an ideal platform for fast time to market, scalability and competitive service offerings." DSPC's CDMA software platform, developed by DSPC's software division formerly known as Isotel, enables CDMA mobile phones to access internet-based services. The CDMA IS707A robust software package offers a variety of integrated functions for CDMA mobile phone users including access to internet browser applications, mobile fax machines and digital cellular modems.

SST and QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies to Collaborate on Flash Technology for CDMA Wireless Applications

Sunnyvale, CA, -- July 27, 1999 -- SST's SuperFlash Technology Selected to Enhance Emerging Wireless Applications for CDMA Handsets SST (Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.) today announced a collaborative agreement with QUALCOMM Incorporated for access to SST's proprietary flash memory technology, SuperFlash(R). Under the terms of this agreement, SST will provide QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies with design consultation services for best use of SuperFlash technology in QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies' application-specific designs. In return, SST will receive consultation from QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies on flash memory product features desirable for future CDMA solutions.

SST's proprietary SuperFlash technology was selected by QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies because of its inherent embedded design advantages that include high reliability, low power consumption, scalability to finer process geometries and availability from multiple wafer foundries. SST's SuperFlash technology characteristics of small sector size make it ideal for both data and code storage of future generation portable communication devices.

"We see a growing need for nonvolatile memory solutions that are simple to integrate into wireless communication devices," said Don Schrock, president of QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "SST's SuperFlash technology provides the high level of performance and compatibility required to complement our industry-leading Mobile Station Modem (MSM(TM)) solutions."

"We are extremely pleased that QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies has selected SuperFlash technology," stated Bing Yeh, president and chief executive officer of SST. "This collaborative agreement with QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies is one more example of SST's on-going commitment to establish SuperFlash as the technology-of-choice for embedded applications. We will put in significant effort to ensure the success of our agreement with QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies.

"QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies' expert guidance will enable us to develop better products to serve the needs of the CDMA cellular handset and the emerging wireless Internet access markets. This agreement is truly a win-win-win situation for both parties and consumers," added Mr. Yeh.

Repeater Technologies' Intelos Installation Delivers Highway Coverage, Extends Network

Sunnyvale, CA, July 27, 1999 - Repeater Technologies today announces the successful installation and operation of a Repeater Hybrid Network (RHN) in a West Virginia highway topology. Network Repeaters will enable PCS carrier Intelos to provide extensive CDMA coverage in its markets, optimizing its network and satisfying customer expectations for comprehensive network performance.        

The West Virginia highway coverage includes mileage from Nitro to Buffalo, WV, and will fill Intelos' customers needs for mobile communications. Toyota has constructed an engine plant in Buffalo, and this RHN will satisfy increased wireless traffic on the highway that connects these two cities in the area.

The initial Intelos rural highway coverage plan had specified seven microcell sites. Repeater Technologies worked with the PCS carrier to replace three microcell sites with three repeaters to comprise the RHN. Repeater Technologies provided network design engineering support and network optimization as well.        

"We found the RHN technology to be a more cost-effective way to meet our coverage requirements while maintaining the network quality which is critical to the success of our operational activities and business objectives," says David Lowe, president of Intelos.

"Repeater Technologies' reactiveness has been very professional and responsive, and the product is working as planned," adds Jon Cooper, Intelos director of network operations.        

"We built significant credibility with Intelos via our on-site engineer who was there to troubleshoot any installation questions or specialized installation needs for the OA1900C Network Repeaters," says Ken Kenitzer, CEO and president of Repeater Technologies. "In addition, the carrier was impressed with the quality of the RHN in meeting CDMA standards. We delivered what we promised."              

RepeaterHybrid Networks are utilized in non-contiguous suburban and rural areas and rural highway topologies when RF coverage is the primary driver. With a combination of base stations and repeaters, base station count can drop by half for suburban and rural coverage and by two-thirds for rural highways over a traditional all base station deployment. Cost savings range from 25 percent for suburban areas to 50 percent for rural highways.        

The OA1900C NR, the heart of a RepeaterHybrid Network, is easy to install and maintain, whether it is pole- or wall-mounted. It is encased in an outdoor weather-tight enclosure, allowing it to be installed in nearly any environmental condition. The entire unit is field-replaceable, which allows for a quick Mean-Time to Repair (MTTR).

Intelos is a leading multiple service communications provider managed by CFW Communications Company. CFW Communications Company is a widely diversified communications entity based in Waynesboro, Va. The firm provides a broad array of services, including telephone, paging, voicemail, cellular, cable television, long distance, Internet, business and residential security systems, and directory assistance services. CFW Communications is a publicly traded company .  To learn more about Intelos visit http://www.intelos.com/ on the Internet.

QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies Announces Second-Generation Voice Recognition Software With Powerful New Features for CDMA Handsets - PureVoice VR 2.1 Delivers Higher Level of Convenience And Safety for Hands-free Voice Dialing

San Diego, CA, July 20 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced its second-generation, advanced voice recognition technology for the MSM3000(TM) Mobile Station Modem (MSM(TM)) platform. The PureVoice VR(TM) 2.1 voice recognition software, developed by QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies, will offer an advanced audio user interface including speaker-independent and voice dialing functions, delivering the convenience and safety of hands-free voice dialing.

"The release of Pure Voice VR 2.1 extends the capabilities of the original software while taking advantage of the significant processing power of the MSM3000 platform to deliver excellent performance," said Johan Lodenius, vice president of marketing for QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "With no additional hardware required, manufacturers will be able to quickly add even more powerful, highly accurate speech capabilities to their CDMA handsets." PureVoice VR 2.1 adds several new and powerful voice recognition functions to the existing high-quality solution, allowing handset manufacturers to design enhanced handsets. The software supports the user-friendly speaker independent menu command capability, allowing consumers to access key phone functions by voice command. Voice commands in English, Japanese and Korean languages will be available to easily enable next-generation user-interface phone designs.

As a result of advancements to the PureVoice VR technology, 2.1 will now support an industry-leading forty (40) name voice dialing directory. PureVoice VR 2.1 will also support a new In-call Voice Record and Playback feature allowing handsets to conveniently act as simple-to-use mobile answering machines. By combining the capabilities of forward-link recording and reverse-link playback, handsets can play outgoing greetings and record incoming messages so consumers will not miss a call even if they cannot or do not want to answer their phone. QUALCOMM's PureVoice VR software delivers a complete, high-quality voice recognition solution, including: speaker-dependent speech recognition, speaker-independent control words, voice recording/memo and speech prompting. The software is an add-on option for the MSM3000 system software and uses the Voice Services Application Program Interface (API) which enables manufacturers to quickly and easily add the various voice recognition features into their latest products.

With no additional hardware required, the option is an affordable feature that helps manufacturers differentiate their products. The software was designed specifically for dual-mode cellular and Personal Communications Service (PCS) handset applications and is expected to be available to handset manufacturers beginning the third quarter of 1999.

QUALCOMM's industry-leading MSM3000, the fifth-generation single-chipset and system software, is now shipping in production quantities, enhancing new commercially available handsets around the world. The MSM3000 is the only currently available hardware and software solution to support IS-95B with data rates up to 86.4.kbps and 200 hours of standby time as well as delivery of hands-free operation and dialing. PureVoice VR software will be forward compatible with the recently announced sixth generation MSM3100(TM) chipset and future generations of QUALCOMM CDMA chipsets. The MSM3100 chipset will sample in the third quarter of 1999.

QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies Introduces PureVoice Audio AGC Software Solution to Optimize CDMA Handset Sound Quality - New Software Provides Handset Designers With Simple, 'Drop-in' Audio Enhancement to Maximize Call Clarity

San Diego, CA, July 20, 1999 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today introduced audio enhancement software technology for the MSM3000(TM) and MSM3100(TM) Mobile Station Modem (MSM(TM)) platforms that significantly improves the already superior sound quality available to users of CDMA handsets. The PureVoice(TM) Audio AGC software, developed by QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies, is a complete audio enhancement solution that will enable CDMA manufacturers to develop superior sounding handsets without additional hardware costs. "Our new PureVoice Audio AGC software provides our manufacturing partners with immediate, measurable performance improvements in speech quality for their handsets," said Johan Lodenius, vice president of marketing of QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "Implementing our software solution at the design stage ensures cost savings to manufacturers, and superior sound quality for consumers that buy their handsets."

The PureVoice Audio AGC software is a suite of highly advanced DSP algorithms performing three distinctive functions to compensate for less than ideal handset usage conditions. The forward link automatic gain control, the forward link volume control, and the reverse link limiter functions combined into a single software package provide a complete audio enhancement solution that allows for better sounding calls on CDMA handsets in adverse background noise conditions.

Forward link automatic gain control greatly enhances the speech quality of an incoming call. Wireless handset users often have difficulty finding the right sound level for inbound calls due to variations in the land side speaker's voice loudness, variations in loudness of automated voice-mail recordings, and loudness variations in analog phone and landline signals. PureVoice Audio AGC software minimizes these effects by dynamically tracking changes in the forward link audio signal and normalizing output gain levels, thus providing an ideal audio output gain level in a variety of conditions.

The software's forward link automatic volume control tracks the background noise levels in the user's operating environment and automatically adjusts the volume level best suited for the situation. By dynamically adding up to a +24dB digital gain to the handset volume level, handset users can still experience call clarity regardless of background noise levels without manually adjusting the volume control. This feature makes wireless handsets more convenient to use. The reverse link limiter (RLL), another important feature of PureVoice Audio AGC, can make a handset sound better to landline listeners for wireless calls made under noisy conditions. The natural reaction for wireless callers in loud settings is to "talk over" background noise. This situation results in clipping and over saturation, common side effects that degrade the overall voice quality of the caller. PureVoice Audio AGC's RLL compensates for this scenario without affecting normal input volume levels. RLL prevents clipping and over saturation of the handset's audio signal to ensure call clarity.

QUALCOMM's PureVoice Audio AGC software is optimized for both the MSM3000 and MSM3100 platforms and will be available for the MSM3000 in Q4 1999. The industry-leading MSM3000 is the only currently available hardware and software solution to support IS-95B with data rates up to 86.4kbps and to provide 200 hours of standby time. QUALCOMM's sixth-generation, the MSM3100 chipset and system software will sample in the third quarter of 1999.

Repeater Technologies Contracted to Expand Blackfoot Communications' Footprint

Sunnyvale, CA, July 19, 1999 -- Repeater Technologies today announces an additional order of Network Repeaters and RepeaterCAD engineering services by Blackfoot Communications, Missoula, MT, for a total contract value of approximately $1 million.

Repeater Technologies' RepeaterHybrid* Network will help Blackfoot Communications to maximize the growth opportunity of its wireless business by providing hardware and crucial engineering services, including preliminary and final design, site surveys, repeater alignment and optimization. Repeaters will be strategically deployed in both highway and rural applications throughout Blackfoot's PCS license area, which covers over 250,000 people in Western Montana.

"The RepeaterHybrid Network makes sense for us because it is an economically viable means of extending coverage, particularly in rural markets," says Dan Runyon, general manager for Blackfoot Communications. "It was also an important criteria for us to contract with a supplier like Repeater Technologies who had core engineering talents in-house. We have to believe in the companies we invest in, and we believe in Repeater Technologies."

"We are pleased that Blackfoot Communications selected us to supply, engineer and optimize its network," says Ken Kenitzer, CEO and president of Repeater Technologies. "Blackfoot Communications recognizes the value in RepeaterHybrid Network technology in providing maximum coverage at the lowest cost."

RepeaterHybrid Networks are utilized in non-contiguous suburban and rural areas and rural highway topologies when RF coverage is the primary driver. With a combination of base stations and repeaters, base station count can drop by half for suburban or rural coverage and by two-thirds for rural highways over a traditional all base station deployment. Cost savings range from 25 percent for suburban areas to 50 percent for rural highways.

The OA1900C NR, the heart of a RepeaterHybrid Network, is easy to install and maintain, whether it is pole- or wall-mounted. It is encased in an outdoor weather-tight enclosure, allowing it to be installed in nearly any environmental condition. The entire unit is field-replaceable, which virtually eliminates the need for highly skilled installation and maintenance personnel.

TAS CDMA Test System Selected for CTIA Certification Program; TAS CDMA-ATS chosen for industry standard evaluation of mobile handset performance

Eatontown, NJ, July 15, 1999 -- Telecom Analysis Systems (TAS), a leading provider of wireless communications test equipment, has been selected as the vendor of choice by CTIA for CDMA mobile handset evaluation. TAS’ CDMA-ATS Automatic Mobile Phone Test System is the specified mobile phone test bench for the CTIA Certification Program.

In 1991, at the request of the wireless carriers, CTIA launched a certification program that was designed to ensure user satisfaction with carrier networks. The program incorporates extensive handset testing based on industry standards. These standards include ANSI, ETSI, and TIA/EIA for AMPS, NAMPS, TDMA, GSM-1900 and CDMA. This program is also used by the CDMA Development Group (CDG) to evaluate cdmaOne handsets. CTIA uses an independent, industry recognized test laboratory to implement the program’s test plan. This test laboratory, Intertek Testing Services/Testmark Laboratories uses test solutions specified by CTIA to qualify mobile phone performance. TAS CDMA-ATS Automatic Mobile Phone Test System has been specified as the solution of choice for the CDMA mobile handset portion of the program’s certification plan. TAS equipment is also used in the CTIA’s AMPS and TDMA certification programs.

TAS CDMA-ATS is a test platform which combines the technology of the TAS 4500 RF Channel Emulator and the TAs 4600 Noise and Interference Emulator with the power of TASKITÒ /CDMA for Windows Software. TAS 4500 accurately emulates RF propagation conditions, including multi-path fading, delay spread and path loss. TAS 4600 precisely emulates carrier-to-noise and carrier-to-interference conditions. TASKIT/CDMA software sets up and executes automatic tests, and stores and displays test results. TASKIT software controls all equipment in the test system, including third-party base station emulators. TASKIT/CDMA runs on PCs equipped with Windows ‘95, and includes pre-defined test suites for EIA/TIA, ANSI, ARIB, and CDG standards. TASKIT/CDMA also allows users to define and execute custom test procedures.

CDMA-ATS has been widely adopted throughout the wireless industry by individual manufacturers and service providers for mobile phone development and evaluation. CTIA’s selection of TAS CDMA-ATS for the program’s mobile phone evaluation further strengthens CDMA-ATS’ position as the test bench of choice. "We are pleased that CTIA has specified CDMA-ATS for the program’s mobile phone evaluation. TAS test solutions are designed to ensure that optimum performance is achieved when communication devices are thoroughly tested," said Rob Van Brunt, TAS Product Manager of Wireless Test Instruments. "Using CDMA-ATS to verify the performance of mobiles will allow the CTIA Certification Program to achieve its goal of ensuring subscriber satisfaction."

"CTIA is pleased to have TAS technology as part of our certification test bench," said Tim Jeffries, CTIA Certification Program Manager. "CTIA strives to include the most advanced test solutions in our program. TAS CDMA-ATS meets and exceeds our test requirements, making it a solid platform for our mobile phone evaluations."

QUALCOMM and Lucent Technologies Announce Wireless Location Development Project Agreement on Geo-Location Solution Includes Proposal For Industry-Wide Standard to Meet FCC E911 Mandate

San Diego, July 15, 1999 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, and Lucent Technologies, global leader in CDMA networks, today announced an agreement to jointly develop and promote standardization of a technology for locating the point of origin of an emergency wireless phone call.

Designed to meet the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Enhanced 911 (E911) mandate, this advanced technique is based on QUALCOMM's innovations in CDMA handsets and ASIC chip technology, and networking research from Bell Labs, Lucent's research and development arm.

Using a hybrid approach that combines signals from a constellation of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, CDMA standard cellular and Personal Communications Service (PCS) networks, and modifications to the handsets, the solution enhances location services availability, accelerates the location determination process and provides better accuracy for a caller in an emergency situation. The FCC has mandated that by October 2001, all wireless 911 calls must be pinpointed within 410 feet. The QUALCOMM/Lucent wireless position location solution, which has exhibited the ability to pinpoint origination within 15 feet outdoors and 100 feet inside buildings, well exceeds the E911 requirement, while minimizing carriers' costs.

The agreement calls for QUALCOMM and Lucent to jointly propose their innovative network-based geolocation solution to standards development organizations. The Companies are developing plans for carrier testing. "The solution being developed by QUALCOMM and Lucent will help establish an E911 industry solution to make precise and accurate location information readily available," said Gina Lombardi, vice president of product management for QUALCOMM Consumer Products. "The technology will allow emergency personnel to locate wireless phone users in distress no matter where they are in a carrier's network, from isolated locales to crowded urban settings."

"We're delighted to collaborate with a CDMA leader like QUALCOMM, to help our network operator customers not only implement a cost-effective and highly accurate E911 solution, but to also lay the groundwork for next-generation CDMA services," said Albert Jordan, Lucent's director of CDMA product management. "This is a win-win project that doubly benefits carriers by addressing the FCC mandate for emergency location and opening new revenue opportunities. Conveniently, the E911 implementation deadline coincides with the planned commercialization of third generation (3G) CDMA networks, providing network operators innovative options for introducing location-specific, high-speed data and Internet-based information services."

Audiovox Communications Corp. (ACC) Shows Industry's Strongest Growth in CDMA Handset Sales

Hauppauge, NY, July 13, 1999 -- Sales of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless phones by Audiovox Communications Corp. (ACC), a subsidiary of Audiovox Corp., surged during the first quarter of 1999, yielding ACC a 16.2 percent share of the CDMA market, according to Dataquest, Inc., a unit of Gartner Group, Inc. According to the Dataquest results, Audiovox showed the strongest sales growth among the top seven CDMA handset manufacturers. Audiovox placed second overall in sales of code division multiple access phones for the first three months of 1999, up from fourth place at 10.6 percent share of the CDMA market at year end 1998, according to Dataquest.

"Smart, aggressive marketing campaigns by the CDMA carriers have advanced the demand for CDMA technology considerably," said ACC President and CEO Philip Christopher. "The Dataquest results confirm that Audiovox's strategy of creating products that meet the specific needs of wireless service carriers is on target. We listen better and can respond faster because we are, in effect, a manufacturer without a factory. We source the latest technology and best products from those most capable of providing what the carriers need." Audiovox's latest CDMA entry is the CDM-4000 and CDM-4000XL, the company's second-generation CDMA dual mode cellular phone. Sleek and light, the feature-rich CDM-4000 series phones weigh just 4.5 ounces but offer, among other state-of-the art features, a large four-line LCD display and a 950 mAH Lithium Ion battery for up to 190 minutes of talk time and 170 hours of digital standby time. The CDM-4000 phones utilize the latest MSM 3000 chipset and 13 kilobit vocoder technologies to provide cutting-edge functionality as well as state-of-the-art voice quality.

DDI and IDO Launch Service Using Phone.com UP.Link Server Suite

DDI and IDO Corporation's EZweb and EZaccess Services Give Wireless Subscribers PIM, Email and PC Web Access

Redwood City, CA, Jul. 7, 1999 -- Phone.com, Inc. today announced that two of Japan's largest cellular carriers, DDI Corporation and IDO Corporation have launched wireless Internet access services based on the Phone.com(TM) UP.Link(TM) Server Suite for their Japanese wireless customers using the Japan-wide cdmaOne(TM) network. The services, announced and launched in Japan in April 1999, are branded under two names: DDI Corporation's EZweb and IDO Corporation's EZaccess.

Another integral player in this new commercial rollout of WAP-based services is Hitachi, Ltd. of Japan. Hitachi licenses the Phone.com UP.Browser microbrowser, enabling it to offer wireless Internet and data features on its cdmaOne phones. The first product shipped under this global agreement is the Hitachi C201H cdmaOne phone for the Japanese market. This is Hitachi's first handset to enable access to the cdmaOne network.

Japanese wireless subscribers using Hitachi's phone have access to Internet-based services through both EZweb (DDI) and EZaccess (IDO). Both services include wireless delivered email and over 100 content sites, including news, stocks, weather, travel, and sports. In addition, subscribers have PIM and PC web access.

"Our EZweb service has been very successful in the market," said Mr. Onodera, vice president of DDI. "Japanese consumers have shown they want and need Internet information access from the screens of their cdmaOne phones."

"The rapid sales of EZaccess phones show us we have found a successful combination of services," said Mr. Akimasa Egawa, chairman of IDO. "The voice quality of cdmaOne with the standards-based Phone.com microbrowser and Internet information services give great value to our customers."

"Phone.com is delivering on our strategy to work with world class telecommunications companies to provide Internet access on mass market phones," said Chuck Parrish, executive vice-president for Phone.com. "We are delighted to partner with two of the largest Japanese wireless carriers to successfully introduce global standards-based Web-enabled phones to the Japanese marketplace."

The UP.Link Server Suite is an open and robust system that enables interactive Internet information services and telephony applications on wireless handsets running the UP.Browser. Phone.com's UP.Browser software is a WAP-compatible microbrowser designed and optimized for mass-market wireless telephones. Due to its open and highly portable architecture, UP.Browser can be embedded into different types of wireless telephones and utilize each mobile phone's specific display and input characteristics, giving network operators a new way to reach subscribers and add innovative services, with seamless integration of voice and data services.

Motorola Awarded $18 Million To Expand Telefonica del Peru's CDMA Network

Arlington Heights, Ill., Jul. 6, 1999 -- Motorola, Inc.'s Network Solutions Sector (NSS), which designs, manufactures and markets Motorola's cellular infrastructure and Integrated Digital Enhanced Network wireless communications systems, today announced it was awarded a contract worth $18 million to expand Telefonica del Peru's Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital cellular network. Motorola, Inc. and Telefonica S.A. recently signed a framework for a strategic, global alliance stating that two companies will collaborate more closely in those countries where Telefonica now operates.

"Telefonica del Peru and Motorola were the first to introduce Latin America's subscribers to CDMA technology in 1996. Our companies have broadened our relationship and, in addition to this expansion project, are committed to working together to provide the subscribers of Peru with a portfolio of communication products," said Mr. Hugo Mendoza, general manager of Telefonica Moviles in Peru. Expansion of the network - Latin America's first and largest commercial CDMA system - will begin immediately and is slated to be completed November. Motorola NSS will provide Telefonica del Peru with its SC(tm) 614 base transceiver station and its EMX® 5000 digital switches to increase the network capacity in Lima, Peru from 130,000 to 250,000 subscribers.

"We are committed to Telefonica del Peru and are extremely pleased to once again provide it with cutting-edge technologies. This network expansion will enhance the quality of communication in Lima, Peru by increasing the availability and capacity of the network. It will also provide subscribers with the many benefits of advanced digital CDMA technology," said Norm Korey, corporate vice president and general manager of Latin America for Motorola's NSS. Telefonica in Peru is a subsidiary of Telefonica Internacional S.A., the international arm of Telefonica Holding S.A. Telefonica provides several telecommunication services throughout Peru including cellular, paging, cable, Long Distance Telephony and PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network) services. It also has interests in Spain and Puerto Rico, plus several other countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala and Venezuela.