QUALCOMM and Siano Sign FLO Chip Agreement
SAN DIEGO, June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies and data solutions, and Siano Mobile Silicon, a leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for mobile digital TV (MDTV), today announced that the companies have signed a royalty-free agreement that enables Siano to use QUALCOMM's patented technologies to design, manufacture and sell certain semiconductor chip products that implement FLO(TM) technology. This license agreement paves the way for Siano to develop a multi-standard MDTV receiver chip supporting FLO, in addition to other standards.
FLO technology, a broadcast innovation and key component of the MediaFLO(TM) System, is a globally-recognized air-interface technology with multiple technical specifications ratified by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). Furthermore, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R), recently recognized FLO as an ITU-R recommended technology for the broadcasting of multimedia and data applications for mobile reception on handheld devices. The FLO air interface is designed to increase capacity and coverage and reduce cost for multimedia content delivery to mobile handsets.
Siano, a global provider of multi-standard MDTV receiver chips, has been a member of the FLO Forum for the past year. The agreement with QUALCOMM enables Siano to develop and market FLO chips to its customers, with possible integration onto its multi-standard chip.
"QUALCOMM is pleased to sign this FLO agreement with Siano, the second company to participate in QUALCOMM's FLO chip program, announced in September 2006 and designed to enable companies to develop and market FLO chips incorporating QUALCOMM's patented technologies without payment of royalties to QUALCOMM," said Marv Blecker, president of QUALCOMM Technology Licensing. "This agreement with Siano reinforces the strength of this program and demonstrates the growing demand around the world for high-quality mobile broadcast services."
"The agreement with QUALCOMM exhibits a natural progression of the theme led by Siano, namely the multi-standard mobile TV concept," said Alon Ironi, CEO of Siano. "Signing this agreement follows the requirement of some of our customers that are seeking an independent FLO solution, either as a standalone chip or as a hybrid with other mobile TV standards. We are fully committed to continuing to provide our customers with TV EVERYWHERE solutions."
On September 8, 2006, QUALCOMM announced a broad-based licensing program to enable the development, manufacture and sale of FLO-enabled handsets. Subject to QUALCOMM's standard terms and conditions, QUALCOMM will license its essential FLO patents for use in multi-mode CDMA/FLO handsets with no increase to its standard royalty rate for CDMA-based handsets. CDMA includes CDMA2000(R) and/or WCDMA (UMTS). For FLO handsets that do not also implement CDMA, QUALCOMM will license its essential FLO patents on terms and conditions that are fair, reasonable and free from unfair discrimination. Companies interested in licensing FLO patents should contact QUALCOMM at 1-858-587-1121 and ask to speak with the QUALCOMM Technology Licensing group.
Information on the benefits of FLO technology and technical details on the FLO specification are available from the FLO Forum (http://www.floforum.org). The FLO Forum is a multi-company initiative committed to advancing the global standardization of FLO technology. Composed of industry-leading organizations, the FLO Forum works to develop products and services, based on FLO technology, that enable the delivery of advanced multimedia services to wireless consumers. The FLO Forum is organized to promote the global standardization of FLO technology, including compliance and certification benchmarks for the technology. The FLO Forum recently gained official approval and publication of the FLO Air Interface Specification by the TIA TR-47.1 Subcommittee.
MediaFLO technology is a global mobile entertainment platform, enabling broadcasting of high-quality video, audio, Clipcasting(TM) media and IP datacasting streams to mobile handsets. The MediaFLO System, comprised of the MediaFLO Media Distribution System and FLO Technology, is a comprehensive, end-to-end solution designed specifically to address the inherent challenges of distributing large volumes of high-quality mobile multimedia content to wireless subscribers. Designed from the ground up with mobility in mind, MediaFLO efficiently and cost-effectively addresses the usability, network capacity, and device constraints typical of video delivery to mobile handsets. More information about MediaFLO is available at http://www.mediaflo.com.
Siano Mobile Silicon provides integrated silicon receivers for the mobile digital TV (MDTV) market. Tailored specifically for handheld and mobile devices, the company's all-CMOS multi-standard solution overcomes formidable engineering challenges such as mobility reception, hand-offs, power consumption, form factor and small antenna. Since its establishment in June 2004 Siano raised $34.5M from JVP, Walden Israel, Star Ventures, and Bessemer Venture Partners. The company has 75 employees and is headquartered in Israel, with business development offices in Beijing, Taipei, Seoul and the Silicon Valley. For additional information on Siano Mobile Silicon's solutions, please visit http://www.siano-ms.com.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (http://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.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company's ability to successfully design and have manufactured significant quantities of CDMA components on a timely and profitable basis, the extent and speed to which CDMA and FLO are adopted, change in economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 24, 2006, and most recent Form 10-Q.
QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Clipcasting, FLO and MediaFLO are trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
QUALCOMM Contacts:
Bertha Agia, Corporate Communications
Phone: 1-858-845-5959
Email: corpcomm@qualcomm.com
John Gilbert, Investor Relations
Phone: 1-858-658-4813
Email: ir@qualcomm.com
Siano Contact:
Caroline Cohen, Public Relations
Phone: +972-9-865-6993 ext. 4173
Email: CarolineC@siano-ms.com
SOURCE QUALCOMM Incorporated
Released June 18, 2007