QUALCOMM, Dialog Telekom and USAID Partner to Bring High-Speed Wireless Data Services to Rural Communities, Leveraging 3G HSDPA Technology

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies and data solutions, today announced the launch of its Wireless Reach(TM) initiative in Sri Lanka through the opening of a Last Mile Initiative (LMI) Center in Wennappuwa. The center, known as Easy Seva, is one of 15 that will be launched in the country with support from QUALCOMM, Dialog Telekom, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Development Bank (NDB) and Synergy Strategies Group (SSG), which, through a bulk purchase package of equipment, software, content and services, have created a new, market-driven approach to establish rural community-based centers. The centers will carry the name of this unique Easy Seva brand and are expected to provide unprecedented quality of service to the communities they serve.

The goal of the Easy Seva centers is to develop entrepreneurs in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Sri Lanka by deploying 3G mobile broadband Internet service at the village level and enabling them to offer access to affordable ICT-enabled services and content. The centers are enabled with 3G mobile broadband connectivity based on Dialog's HSDPA network. They will employ an innovative franchise approach, which will aim to create a profitable and sustainable business model for extending ICT services and connectivity to rural consumers.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with Dialog Telekom and USAID on our Wireless Reach initiative to empower rural communities in Sri Lanka," said Kanwalinder Singh, president of QUALCOMM India and SAARC. "We congratulate Dialog Telekom for being the first operator in the SAARC region to launch HSDPA for rural applications. It reaffirms that 3G HSDPA has the versatility to deliver next-generation services to all consumers, rural and urban, while offering a compelling business opportunity for operators and rural entrepreneurs."

The Easy Seva centers also will help rural residents to acquire employment skills through online training, explore new job opportunities, receive micro-loans and other banking services, as well as to call relatives and friends overseas at low rates. The centers use a unique private sector model to facilitate financial sustainability with an innovative, highly-standardized package of equipment, services, training and market support for the franchisees called the "Easy Seva Franchise in a Box." By standardizing these offerings, the franchise model will reduce barriers to entry while simultaneously reducing operating costs for the franchisees.

"Dialog Telekom is delighted to be a partner in the Last Mile Initiative Project which demonstrates and validates the use of advanced 3G HSDPA technology to bridge information and communication divides facing rural communities," said Dr.Hans Wijayasuriya, chief executive, Dialog Telekom. "It is truly rewarding to see a cutting edge technology such as 3G HSDPA delivering socio-economic dividends where they are most needed, at such an early stage in the technology life cycle. We look forward to working with QUALCOMM and USAID in scaling up the penetration of HSDPA-powered ICT centers in order to harness the benefits of 3G technology towards the betterment of Sri Lankan lives."

"Broadband connectivity and ICT technologies are important tools for socio-economic progress in developing countries," said Rebecca Cohn, USAID/Sri Lanka mission director. "We believe that these centers will empower rural communities in Sri Lanka by providing them access to global opportunities and perspectives."

The Last Mile Initiative in Sri Lanka was initiated by the USAID and is being implemented by SSG and Infoshare. It is supported by a number of leading high-profile international and local partners. QUALCOMM, through its Wireless Reach initiative, will be responsible for providing funds to upgrade 3G HSDPA base stations and for the purchase of equipment for the centers. QUALCOMM also will provide technical support for technology analysis, as well as assist in obtaining equipment pricing from vendor partners. Local access to the centers is provided via Dialog Telekom's 3G Network, featuring data speeds in excess of 1.4 Mbps based on the HSDPA technology. In addition to the provision of Last Mile access, HSDPA terminals and end-user equipment, Dialog Telekom will also provide Internet backbone infrastructure and access, a SIM card-based electronic payment mechanism co-developed with the National Development Bank, Voice Over IP (VOIP)-based low-cost communications, distance education facilities and help desk facilities for the provision of operational and technical support.

Dialog Telekom PLC is the largest mobile operator in Sri Lanka, with more than 3.5 million subscribers, representing approximately 60 percent market share. Dialog Telekom is a subsidiary of the Telekom Malaysia Group. In addition to its core mobile telephony business, the Company provides international services, supporting an International Gateway infrastructure providing retail and wholesale international voice and data services under the brand name of Dialog Global. The company provides Internet services through Dialog Internet -- a fully-fledged Internet Service Provider (ISP), and also operates Dialog SAT, a mobile satellite service. For more information log on to www.dialog.lk

EazyServ, the U.S.-based holding company established by the Synergy Strategy Group, is a revolutionary new way to bridge the digital divide in rural communities in developing countries. The Company combines the latest in technology with a highly innovative business model to deliver high-quality, low-cost voice, data, health, training and financial services to consumers in rural Asia. By treating the rural poor as customers to be served rather than beneficiaries of foreign aid, EazyServ is transforming communities and improving lives. Find out more at www.eazyserv.com and www.easyseva.com.

USAID is the international development arm of the U.S. government. From field offices around the world, it supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting: economic, agriculture and trade growth; global health; education, democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance in developing countries. http://www.usaid.gov/about_usaid/

QUALCOMM believes access to advanced wireless voice and data services improves people's lives. The Company's Wireless Reach initiative supports programs and solutions that bring the benefits of connectivity to developing communities globally. By working with partners, Wireless Reach projects create new ways for people to communicate, learn, access healthcare and reach global markets. For more information, please visit www.qualcomm.com/wirelessreach.

QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2007 FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the ticker symbol QCOM.

QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Wireless Reach is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    QUALCOMM Contacts:
    Sibil Jhaveri, The PRactice for QUALCOMM India
    Phone:  +91-93-2331-6950
    Email:  sibil@the-practice.net

    Tina Asmar, Corporate Communications
    Phone:  1-858-845-5959
    Email:  corpcomm@qualcomm.com

    John Gilbert, Investor Relations
    Phone:  1-858-658-4813
    Email:  ir@qualcomm.com

    Dialog Telekom Contacts:
    Pia Hatch, Specialist-Corporate Communications
    Phone:  +94-(0)-77-7-333-446
    Email:  pia.hatch@dialog.lk

    USAID Contacts:
    Zack Taylor, Development Outreach and Communications Officer
    Phone:  +94-11-249-8076
    Email:  ztaylor@usaid.gov

SOURCE QUALCOMM Incorporated

Released August 30, 2007