Industry News

Sprint PCS(SM) Service Now Available in 42 Cities Across Nation

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 28, 1997 -- Sprint PCS has announced the launch of its Personal Communication Services (PCS) in 12 more cities, bringing the benefits of 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS wireless communications to consumers and businesses in 42 cities across the country.

"This is just the beginning," said Andrew Sukawaty, Sprint PCS chief executive officer. "City by city, our goal of building the nation's first 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network is gathering momentum."

Sprint PCS also revealed data from a recent survey of customers in eight Sprint PCS launched cities. "We're fulfilling our promise to provide consumers and businesses across the country PCS service with call quality, reliability and features superior to other wireless offerings," said Sukawaty. "In fact, our most recent customer survey data showed that nearly 90 percent of our customers who had previous cellular experience said that the call clarity of Sprint PCS service is better."

The survey date also demonstrated that for many customers, Sprint PCS is their first wireless service provider. "Nearly half of our customers are new to wireless," added Sukawaty. "The bottom line is that the Sprint PCS proposition of an all digital, seamless, nationwide PCS wireless network that offers superior call quality, bundled features and affordable, reliable service is preferred by both cellular and non-cellular consumers across the country. We're offering customers superior value, a concept that's been missing from the traditional cellular paradigm since day one."

Since April 9, Sprint PCS has launched service in New York, N.Y.; Toledo, Ohio; Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas; Indianapolis, Ind.; Tucson, Ariz.; New Orleans, La.; Nashville, Tenn.; Omaha and Lincoln, Neb; and cities throughout Orange County, Calif.

Nortel and Lucent Technologies are providing the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network infrastructure equipment for the Sprint PCS network.

The Sprint PCS system will be the most extensive in the U.S. When the first phase of launch is complete, the Sprint PCS network will encompass 65 cities coast to coast, including 35 of the top 50 U.S. metropolitan areas. In phase two, Sprint PCS, together with its affiliates, will expand its existing service coverage to provide services under licenses recently acquired by Sprint Corporation in spectrum auctions conducted by the FCC. These new licenses, when combined with Sprint PCS's and its affiliates' licenses, will give Sprint PCS unprecedented licensed coverage of nearly 260 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

EXCEL, NextWave sign PCS resale letter of intent

May 28, 1997 -- EXCEL Communications, Inc. and NextWave Telecom Inc., a Personal Communications Service (PCS) provider with the third-largest wireless franchise in the U.S., have signed a letter of intent to negotiate the EXCEL purchase of wireless minutes on NextWave's nationwide PCS network.

Kenny A. Troutt, Chairman and CEO of EXCEL, said, "These discussions are consistent with our long-term strategy to introduce new products and services through our marketing network of Independent Representatives. In addition to PCS, EXCEL is building the infrastructure to maintain its competitive edge and is evaluating entering the local service, DBS, and Internet service markets in the future."

"EXCEL plans to introduce new products for its hundreds of thousands of Independent Representatives," said Rolando Espinosa, Vice President, Marketing Products and Programs for EXCEL. "An agreement with NextWave to purchase airtime on a wholesale basis would enable EXCEL Independent Representatives to offer high-quality, digital PCS voice and data services to our millions of long distance and paging customers at a competitive price."

James Madsen, Senior Vice President, Business Development for NextWave, said, "By offering turnkey PCS networks, NextWave would enable EXCEL to focus its resources on network marketing, branding, distribution, billing, and customer service. NextWave's wholesale strategy uniquely gives resellers an opportunity to purchase services from a network carrier which does not compete directly in the retail marketplace."

Dallas-based EXCEL Communications Inc. is the fifth largest long distance company in the United States in terms of presubscribed lines, according to the Federal Communications Commission. The Company offers its subscribers a variety of communications products and services under the EXCEL branded name, including residential service, commercial service, paging service, and calling cards. EXCEL services are marketed exclusively through a national network of Independent Representatives. EXCEL has more than 2,200 associates that support the corporate, network management, billing,
teleservices, and marketing functions of the Company.

NextWave Telecom Inc. (www.nextwavetel.com) is building an all-digital CDMA-based nationwide PCS network. NextWave's strategic mission is to provide low-cost, high quality PCS by offering airtime to other carriers and resellers on a wholesale basis. Through its participation in FCC-sponsored PCS auctions, NextWave already has been granted 88 PCS licenses representing approximately 150 million POPs (potential customers). Another seven licenses, representing 13 million POPs, are currently pending before the FCC. In total, NextWave has access to 163 million POPs, which comprise all top 10
U.S. markets, 28 of the top 30 markets, and 40 of the top 50 markets.

Sprint (NYSE:FON) offers PCS in New York City

NEW YORK, May 27 - Sprint Corp on Tuesday said it had started offering personal communication services, or PCS, for consumers and businesses in New York.

New York is the 42nd city to be linked to the Sprint PCS network, the company said in a statement.

Lucent Technologies Inc is providing the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) equipment for the Sprint PCS network in New York.

When the first phase of the network is completed this year, Sprint PCS will be available in 65 cities.

When fully deployed this year, the network will be the first single-technology, nationwide wireless network that is completely digital and PCS.

"The clear alternative to cellular is here," Jeff Locke, area vice president for Sprint PCS, said. "We're not just providing customers with a better phone, we're providing them with a better connection that's more clear, more affordable and more secure than conventional cellular services."

Clearnet to Cover Over 90 Percent of the Canadian Population at PCS Launch

Dual-Mode handsets will let Clearnet clients travel coast to coast with one wireless phone

TORONTO, May 22, 1997-- Clearnet Communications Inc. ("Clearnet") today announced an agreement that will offer Canada-wide coverage to Clearnet PCS (Personal Communications Services) clients when the company launches digital wireless PCS service this fall.

"This announcement confirms Clearnet's status as one of Canada's truly national wireless providers, covering over 90 percent of the Canadian population and providing access in all 10 provinces from the moment we begin PCS service," said George Cope, Clearnet President and CEO. "We will offer clients call coverage that matches the service area offered by the largest cellular phone operators and in our digital PCS zones, clients will receive superior call quality, privacy and ease of use."

Clients will use Clearnet's leading-edge "dual-mode" PCS handsets, which function as full digital PCS phones in Clearnet PCS zones, yet switch seamlessly to traditional cellular phone service when the client travels outside those zones.

"What this means is that no one should buy a plain old cellular or single-mode PCS handset again, especially if users have to lock in to the long-term contracts demanded by traditional wireless providers," said Cope. "Buying a phone that isn't dual mode is like buying an obsolete black and white TV when full-colour sets are available." Clearnet's dual-mode handset functionality will be transparent, meaning clients shouldn't experience dropped calls even as they travel outside a PCS zone during a conversation.

"Clearnet's vision is all about making the wireless experience affordable, practical and easy, and this agreement ensures our clients will only ever need one wireless supplier and one PCS handset," said Cope. "They'll never worry about roaming charges wherever they go in Canada, never worry they have less coverage than the next person, and never worry about having to trade in their PCS handset." Other PCS providers have launched with single-mode phones, meaning people who buy them must upgrade to a dual-mode phone to receive national coverage.

Clearnet will launch full digital PCS service in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto this fall, and by the end of 1998 will provide digital PCS service in areas where approximately 20 million Canadians reside. The terms of Clearnet's Canadian roaming agreement, signed recently with Rogers Cantel Inc., were not disclosed.

GTE activates new PCS wireless network in Spokane, its third market for personal communications services

SPOKANE, Wash., May 20, 1997 -- GTE today announced that it has activated its personal communications services (PCS) wireless network in the Spokane, Wash., Major Trading Area (MTA). The newly constructed 1.9 GHz all-digital network provides the next generation of wireless communications services for customers area-wide.

"The introduction of this new wireless service in Spokane completes our PCS market launch on schedule," said Mark Feighner, president of GTE Wireless. "As one of the country's leading wireless service providers, our goals are to be the easiest telecommunications company to do business with and to be a one-stop source for a full range of telecommunications products and services."

In addition to digital wireless products and services, GTE's wireless retail outlets in Spokane will carry a variety of other telecommunications offerings including the company's Internet access and wireline long-distance services.

GTE's digital wireless PCS service uses code division multiple access (CDMA) technology featuring enhanced voice clarity, virtually static-free operation and longer handset battery life. Several calling plans are available, all without a contract or long-term commitment.

Earlier this year, the company activated its PCS networks in the Cincinnati and Seattle MTAs. In addition to activating these new digital wireless PCS markets, GTE will upgrade its major-market cellular networks nationwide with digital CDMA technology by year end.

Most Advanced Digital Wireless Phone Service Available in All Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile Markets

BEDMINSTER, N.J., May 15, 1997 -- Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile, the largest wireless carrier on the East Coast, today announced the availability of the most advanced digital wireless phone service in all its markets by launching DigitalChoice(SM) in New England. Operating on Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile's network -- the most extensive and integrated on the East Coast -- DigitalChoice delivers increased call reliability, greater voice clarity, enhanced privacy and an array of service features.

DigitalChoice enables Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile customers to make and receive calls, answer pages, receive voice mail and identify incoming callers, while the digital handsets provide extended battery life. Individuals can use the new digital phones virtually anywhere in the United States because Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile wireless service is integrated, working on both analog cellular and compatible digital networks. DigitalChoice is now available in Boston and Hartford, CT, joining Charlotte, NC, Greenville, SC, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington/Baltimore, which launched the service earlier this year.

Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile leads the industry in deploying Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) service. This "next generation" wireless technology greatly reduces static and crosstalk and uses a unique noise suppression technique that improves voice quality. The service also allows for greater call capacity, making it superior to other technologies available.

Sprint PCS launches advanced wireless service in Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio; Plans to construct network in Houston and Corpus Christi

DALLAS, May 15, 1997 -- Sprint PCS announced the launch of its PCS, or Personal Communication Services, today for consumers and businesses in Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio offering a contiguous service network stretching from north of Dallas/Fort Worth to San Antonio.

The service launch today in Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio brings to 40 the number of cities on the Sprint PCS network, which will be America's first 100-percent digital, 100-percent PCS, single-technology nationwide wireless network when fully deployed this year. When this first phase of launch is completed this year, Sprint PCS service will be available in 65 cities coast-to-coast, including 35 of the top 50 U.S. markets, offering consumers and businesses improved cell quality, reliability and features superior to today's other wireless services.

"The replacement for cellular is here," said John Garcia, southwest region president for Sprint PCS. "We're not just providing consumers with a better phone, we're providing them with a better connection that's more clear, more affordable and more secure than conventional cellular services. We want people to experience that quality for themselves, so we're inviting them to make a call on us at any of our Sprint PCS stores or at any RadioShack in our service area."

Garcia said Sprint PCS service covers the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area and stretches along Interstate 35 from near the Oklahoma border south through Austin and on to San Antonio. Also, Sprint PCS customers can travel to any other Sprint PCS market in Texas and only pay their home service area rates. And when they travel to other Sprint PCS markets around the country, customers pay a simple flat traveling rate of 50 cents per minute for calls placed or received with no additional long distance charges. In addition, all Texas Sprint PCS customers can dial any phone number in Texas, both wireless and wireline, without paying long distance charges.

Sprint PCS Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sukawaty emphasized that the launch is just the first phase of Sprint PCS's plan to offer customers a nationwide PCS service using a single technology.

"During phase two, we will expand our existing coverage and fill in our service in those few areas where we previously did not have licenses," Sukawaty said. "In the most recent Federal Communications Commission auctions, Sprint Corporation won licenses for all areas that were not previously covered by Sprint PCS, giving us licensed coverage of 260 million people. While other wireless service providers are regional operators or use a patchwork of technologies to achieve coverage, we will offer customers a seamless nationwide PCS network using a single technology. Other countries have similar national systems and now Spring PCS has put the U.S. on the road to one."

The company and its affiliates hold licenses to offer Sprint PCS service in Houston and Corpus Christi, and as part of phase two, plan to begin construction of those networks later this year. Other Texas cities where Sprint PCS already offers services are Austin, McAllen, Brownsville and Harlingen.

Northern Telecom (Nortel) is providing the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network infrastructure equipment for the Sprint PCS network in Texas.

Matt Desch, president of Wireless Networks for Nortel, said: "This launch is historic for Sprint PCS and a proud moment for us all, particularly since our Nortel wireless headquarters are based in Richardson. In line with our long-term strategic alliance with Sprint PCS, we at Nortel are excited to be providing state-of-the-art wireless digital technology and a broad portfolio of PCS services for what will be the first single-technology nationwide PCS network. The entire venture has challenged all parties to new heights of creativity and innovation. We are very pleased to be a member of the team."

Other cities where Sprint PCS has launched service include: Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla.; New Orleans, La.; Little Rock, Ark.; San Diego, Fresno and Orange County, Calif.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Portland, Ore.; Albany, Rochester and Syracuse, N.Y.; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pa.; Spokane, Wash.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Des Moines, Iowa; Wichita, Kan.; Louisville, Ky.; Denver, Colo.; Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.; Nashville, Tenn.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Kansas City, Mo.

NextWave Telecom starts PCS demo in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, May 5, 1997 -- NextWave Telecom Inc said Monday it started operating a PCS demonstration system in San Antonio, Texas.

NextWave, a Personal Communications Service (PCS) provider with the third-largest wireless franchise in the United States, said it is also operating CDMA-based PCS demo systems in San Diego and Washington, D.C.

The company said it is "well positioned" to launch PCS systems in four major markets before the end of this year and five additional markets by early next year."

By the end of this year, NextWave plans to offer service in San Antonio, San Diego, Boston, and Orlando, Fla., and then expand to New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Washington, D.C./Baltimore next year.

"We have made substantial progress in our national network build-out, and we are developing PCS systems in 14 markets throughout the country," said Edward Knapp, the company's chief technical officer and senior vice president.

NextWave said it plans to operate as a carriers' carrier, selling low-cost airtime to a broad range of communication providers, including long distance companies, local exchange carriers, competitive access providers, utilities, cable TV companies, and other wireless service providers.

Sprint PCS(SM) Expands Service into Orange County, Calif.; San Diegans Enjoy Extended PCS Coverage, Attractive New Pricing Plans

SAN DIEGO, May 5, 1997 -- Sprint PCS (Personal Communication Services) launched service in Orange County today, making it the second Southern California region to link to Sprint PCS's rapidly emerging, nationwide, 1O0-percent digital, 100-percent PCS, single-technology, wireless network, now stretching as far north as the Orange County/Los Angeles county border. To entice customers to experience Sprint PCS's exceptional service and enhanced call quality, Sprint PCS has recently introduced four new "Connect Plans" for San Diego. The plans are designed to provide "flexible options" and to match each customer's particular usage.

"Expanding Sprint PCS service into Orange County is a strategic and exciting next step in our Southern California coverage area, as well as a key component in our national PCS network," said Don McGuire, San Diego market general manager for Sprint PCS Southern California/Nevada. "We want to show our appreciation to San Diego and provide value-added opportunities for anyone in search of a high quality wireless connection."

Sprint PCS customers can enjoy the value-added benefits of these new plans, including call-waiting, three-way calling, caller I.D., first incoming minute free (in local calling area only), and call forwarding ($.15 per call plus applicable long distance charges).

In December 1996, San Diego was one of the first cites to begin wireless service on the Sprint PCS network, which will be the nation's first 100- percent digital, 100-percent PCS, single-technology national wireless network. Sprint PCS Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sukawaty will visit San Diego operations and retail outlets on May 28. Mr. Sukawaty will deliver the keynote address at the UCSD CONNECT "Evolving Markets and Marketplaces in Telecommunications" conference sponsored by the University of California, San Diego.

Other cities where Sprint PCS has launched service include: San Diego and Fresno, Calif.; Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.; Kansas City, Mo.; Denver and Boulder, Colo.; Wichita, Kan.; Louisville, Ky.; Austin, McAllen, Brownsville and Harlingen, Texas; Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Ames, Iowa; Little Rock, Ark.; Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pa.; Syracuse, Rochester and Albany, N.Y.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Portland and Eugene, Ore.; Vancouver and Spokane, Wash.; and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

The Sprint PCS system will be the most extensive PCS system in the U.S. When the first phase of the launch is complete, the Sprint PCS network will encompass 65 cities coast-to-coast, including 35 of the top 50 U.S. metropolitan areas. In phase two, Sprint PCS, together with its affiliates, will expand its existing service coverage to provide services under licenses recently acquired by Sprint Corporation in spectrum auctions conducted by the FCC. These new licenses, when combined with Sprint PCS' and its affiliate's licenses, will give Sprint PCS unprecedented licensed coverage of nearly 260 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sprint PCS is a partnership of Sprint Corporation, Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI), Cox Communications, Inc. and Comcast Corporation.

Vendor News

Spectrian delivers 10,000th CDMA amplifier

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 28, 1997 -- Spectrian Corp., the leading independent manufacturer of ultralinear, high-powered RF amplification systems, on Wednesday announced the delivery of its 10,000th CDMA amplifier.

"We are very pleased to have achieved this important milestone and are encouraged by the industry's continued strong acceptance of our single and multicarrier CDMA amplifiers," commented Garrett A.Garrettson, president and chief executive officer of Spectrian.

"We're shipping CDMA amplifiers at a rate of almost 2,000 per month, our highest level of production ever. We feel fortunate to be participating in both the cellular and PCS CDMA buildouts around the world and look forward to meeting the industry's burgeoning demand for CDMA."

Garrettson touted Spectrian's new wafer fabrication facility --brought on-line in the first quarter of 1997 to supply Spectrian's increasing demand for power transistors -- as instrumental in the increased production rates over the past few months and in reaching this mark.

He added: "The devices from this new facility have exhibited better parametrics and lot-to-lot performance consistency than our previous facility, which has resulted in improved yields and manufacturing efficiency in our amplifier product lines."

Spectrian is the leading independent supplier of ultralinear, high-powered RF power amplifiers to wireless communication infrastructure manufacturers and service providers worldwide. As an ISO 9001 quality system-certified company, Spectrian designs and manufactures power amplifiers for use in microcell and macrocell base stations for cellular, PCS and Wireless Local Loop networks. For more information, contact the company's Web site at www.spectrian.com.

QUALCOMM and CellStar Sign Agreement for CellStar to Distribute CDMA Digital Cellular and PCS Phones

SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 28, 1997 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated and CellStar Corporation today announced the two companies have reached an agreement for CellStar to distribute QUALCOMM's Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital cellular and personal communications services (PCS) phones. CellStar will distribute the phones to carriers and resellers throughout the United States beginning in June.

"We are very pleased to begin distribution of QUALCOMM's CDMA digital phones," said Richard Gozia, president and chief operating officer of CellStar. "QUALCOMM's entire family of CDMA digital products has raised the bar of consumer expectations everywhere. We are proud to represent QUALCOMM's family of innovative CDMA digital phones and look forward to a successful partnership."

"QUALCOMM's partnership with CellStar will advance the available distribution of our innovative CDMA digital products to new customers across the country," said David J. McDowell, senior vice president of sales for QUALCOMM's Subscriber Products Division. "This agreement provides an ideal opportunity to service emerging smaller carriers and other distribution channels that require the unique value-added services that CellStar can provide."

QUALCOMM's family of CDMA digital phones includes the new CDMA digital 1900 MHz PCS "Q" phone, the world's first palm-sized CDMA phone; the QCP series of CDMA digital handsets including the QCP-2700, the first 1900 MHz CDMA digital/800 MHz analog dual-band, dual-mode phone; and the QCT series of fixed wireless phones. The hallmarks of every QUALCOMM CDMA digital phone include, exceptionally clear voice quality, enhanced privacy, fewer dropped calls, and longer talk and stand-by times.

E-Mail, Internet Access for Mobile Professionals Prompt Wireless Data Collaboration; U.S. Robotics, Nortel (Northern Telecom) to Develop CDMA, TDMA Solutions

Skokie, Ill. -- Recognizing the growing need among mobile professionals for wireless access to electronic mail, the Internet and other data applications, U.S. Robotics and Nortel (Northern Telecom) have entered into an agreement to jointly develop digital wireless data access solutions.

"Digital wireless technology promises faster, higher quality and more reliable data transmission than circuit-switched analog cellular solutions commonly available today," said Hermon Pon, assistant vice-president, Wireless Networks, Nortel.

"We're working with U.S. Robotics to provide our customers a very flexible platform for digital wireless data transmission using CDMA or TDMA technology," Pon said.

Plans call for development of a wireless interworking function, including gateway software for the U.S. Robotics Total Control Wireless Access System, which will connect Nortel's DMS-MXT SuperNode wireless switch to public circuit-switched or packet-switched data facilities.

"Our software upgradable Total Control platform will allow us to add CDMA and TDMA digital capabilities with no hardware changes," said Ross Manire, senior vice president and general manager, Network Systems, U.S. Robotics.

"Building on our existing EdgeServer and wireless modem technology, we'll be offering wireless service providers a flexible and open environment to develop a wide range of wireless access solutions," Manire said. "We're very pleased to be working with Nortel to bring our technology to a broader market."

Vodafone and QUALCOMM in GSM-CDMA Trials

NEWBURY, U.K., May 21, 1997 -- Vodafone and QUALCOMM Incorporated today announce that a field trial will be conducted in the U.K. starting the fourth quarter of this year to demonstrate CDMA wireless access integrated into a GSM network. The companies plan to demonstrate the capability of the GSM A-interface to support CDMA as an alternative wireless access technology, and to evaluate the performance of the hybrid GSM-CDMA system technology. The two companies are world leaders in their respective fields, and by teaming up will demonstrate the integration of state-of-the-art technologies with origins in different parts of the world.

Vodafone and QUALCOMM will be conducting the trial of a GSM-CDMA system in Newbury, U.K. A primary objective of the trial is to demonstrate compatibility between the CDMA air interface and an existing GSM network through integration at the A-interface. The trial will consist of four CDMA commercial base stations, and a base station controller, all provided by QUALCOMM. Vodafone will provide base station sites and a Mobile Switching Center formerly in Vodafone's GSM network.

The mobile phones for the trial will be modified QUALCOMM 1.9 GHz PCS phones. The GSM phone software is supplied by The Technology Partnership based in the U.K. This phone software is type approved and is already being incorporated into an increasing number of commercial GSM phone designs. The CDMA phone hardware has also been modified to accommodate standard GSM SIM cards. Modifications to QUALCOMM equipment are being done at QUALCOMM's Israel location. Installation of equipment will begin in June 1997 and both companies will be collaborating closely through the integration and measurement phases of the trial. The measurement phase of the trial is expected to begin in Q4 1997 and continue though Q1 1998.

"Results from the integration and trials will provide invaluable experience in evolving towards third generation systems where multiple air interfaces such as CDMA may be expected to coexist with a common network," commented Ted Beddoes, Vodafone's technical director.

"Both companies are investing significant research and development resources to ensure the success of the world's first trial of a GSM-CDMA system. The companies may extend the evaluation to build up a thorough understanding of the technical performance of the hybrid GSM-CDMA technology," commented Ronald Foerster, senior vice president and general manager of QUALCOMM's System Interface Unit.

The trial builds on development work undertaken for the Globalstar satellite based telecommunications system, of which QUALCOMM is the developer of the ground communications segment and both Vodafone and QUALCOMM are founding partners. As part of the Globalstar system design, a satellite-based CDMA air interface to the GSM network has been developed, and working from this starting point, the companies have defined a new concept for the integration of CDMA terrestrial radio access with the GSM network.

The findings will be made widely available to the mobile communications community, to ETSI, the GSM MoU and the CDMA Development Group, where it is hoped that they will be useful to the process of defining a third generation standard.

QUALCOMM Announces Availability of `CDMA Concepts' Interactive CD-ROM for Training

SAN DIEGO, May 14, 1997 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated today announced the availability of its first interactive multimedia training product based on CD-ROM for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology called "CDMA Concepts."

"CDMA Concepts provides our licensees, customers, service operators -- virtually anyone -- with a basic understanding of CDMA's principles and benefits in a simple, easy-to-use CD-ROM," said Bob Roth, director of CDMA University for QUALCOMM.

"CDMA Concepts" offers users over five hours of instruction on CDMA principles, benefits, and forward and reverse traffic channel generation. The courseware conveys difficult topics using rich three-dimensional graphics and animation. Material is presented in three levels of technical depth making it well suited for the novice while still offering a challenge to experts. Tests are provided for each lesson and student progress can be tracked via the resident Computer Managed Instruction (CMI) module.

CDMA Concepts is the solution for anyone wanting to learn about CDMA technology at their own pace from the convenience of their own computer. It is ideal for the individual or fits easily into the corporate training Center. CDMA Concepts was developed by the training staff at QUALCOMM's CDMA University, which was established to provide students with an understanding of CDMA.

"In spite of the growing desire for more and better CDMA training in our industry, the rapid deployment of this technology prevents many from attending the traditional classroom instruction they desperately need," Roth said. "CDMA Concepts satisfies this need. We are very excited about the product."

"CDMA Concepts" is available for previewing and ordering on-line at http://www.qualcomm.com/ProdTech/cdma/newmedia or send e-mail to cdma4training@qualcomm.com for more information or call 800-266-2362 and select option 4. The CD-ROM sells for $195 per disk, but volume quantity discounts are available.

QUALCOMM Signs Agreement With Sharp Corporation for Subscriber Products License

Major Global Manufacturer Becomes 16th Japanese IS-95 Licensee

San Diego, CA, May 8, 1997 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated today announced the signing of a license agreement with Sharp Corporation of Japan. Under the terms of the agreement, Sharp has been granted a worldwide, royalty-bearing license to manufacture and sell Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) subscriber products. Sharp becomes the 16th Japanese manufacturer to take an IS-95 CDMA license from QUALCOMM.

"Sharp is a recognized world leader in manufacturing personal consumer electronics and will be a valuable addition in meeting the growing worldwide demand for CDMA products," said Steve Altman, senior vice president and general manager of QUALCOMM's Technology Transfer Division. "Our agreement allows Sharp to enter the CDMA marketplace with the latest generation of digital cellular and PCS products. By becoming an IS-95 CDMA licensee, Sharp is strengthening its overall market position, as well as becoming a major source of supply for high-quality CDMA products."

"Sharp Corporation is the worldwide supplier of consumer electronic appliances and is the leading company producing multimedia telecommunication terminals, such as PDA products like the Zaurus, video cameras with LCD and MD. Also, Sharp is recognized as one of the top suppliers of mobile telecommunications terminals such as the PHS, Personal Handy Phone. By introducing CDMA technology, Sharp will strengthen its position in the market for mobile multimedia terminals," said Akira Mitarai, corporate director and group general manager of Sharp's Multimedia Systems Business Development Center.

Samsung Electronics Breaks One Million Mark for CDMA Handset Sales

Projected 1997 Sales Over $2 Billion

SEOUL, South Korea, May 1, 1997 -- Samsung Electronics Co. (SEC), South Korea's leading electronics manufacturer, announced that it has sold more than one million Any Call digital code division multiple access (CDMA) phone sets and obtained over 1.4 million new subscribers in a single year. In 1997, SEC estimates that CDMA handset sales will exceed $2 billion.

SEC's four digital CDMA handset models -- SCH-100, SCH-100S, SCH- 200 and SCH-200F (the latter two are among the world's smallest) -- captured 58 percent of the Korean CDMA handset market in the first quarter of 1997. SEC sold an average of 100,000 units per month since April of 1996, 200,000 units per month in the first quarter of 1997, and 300,000 units this April.

One production line at SEC's #2 Kumi Plant is dedicated to CDMA handset production, with production capacity of 200,000 units per month. Company officials expect to grow production to 400,000 units per month and focus R&D on core handset components.

- Background -

SEC's extensive contracts include exportation of 200,000 CDMA cellular handsets to Hutchinson of Hong Kong as well as individual contracts with Russia, Shanghai, and Rio de Janario. SEC has also secured a three-year contract with Sprint Spectrum to export seven million Personal Communications Services (PCS) handsets.

Nortel (Northern Telecom) Announces Placement of $US 1.7 Billion in Customer Financing for PCS Network Operators

DALLAS, May 1, 1997 -- Nortel (Northern Telecom) has successfully placed more than 80 percent of its customer financing commitments to North American PCS operators -- approximately $US 1.7 billion -- with a group of more than 20 major financial institutions, in three separate transactions.

These placements include an aggregate of $US 1.2 billion of the Sprint Spectrum L.P. (Sprint PCS) financing including, as previously disclosed, the related $US 200 million QUALCOMM Incorporated financing commitment to Nortel. Also included are placements of the $US 300 million financing for Western PCS II Corporation, a subsidiary of Western Wireless Corporation, and $US 200 million of the financing for Omnipoint Communications Inc.

"To continue to compete effectively and grow our business, we are endeavoring to provide creative financing solutions," said William R. Kerr, senior vice-president, finance and treasurer, Nortel, "...solutions which support our customers while maintaining the integrity of our balance sheet."

These customer financings -- provided primarily for the purchase of Nortel digital PCS network infrastructure equipment and services -- were laid-off in the capital markets on a non-recourse basis.

"Our success in laying off these financings so early in the network buildouts demonstrates the capital markets' confidence in our customers and in the North American PCS market," said Matt Desch, president, Wireless Networks, Nortel.