QUALCOMM Helping to Pave the Way for Africa’s Telecommunications Growth
JOHANNESBURG-- QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and other advanced wireless technologies, today announced the opening of the Company’s African hub based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
QUALCOMM is working to enable the growth and success of commercial third-generation (3G) wireless systems based on the CDMA2000® and WCDMA standards defined by the International Telecommunications Union in 27 countries across the African continent. As 3G wireless rapidly gains momentum and QUALCOMM continues to expand throughout Africa, the Johannesburg office will serve as a valuable strategic center of operations.
“QUALCOMM is focused on helping African countries improve their access to and usage of advanced voice and data services via 3G wireless technology, with a view to driving Africa’s technology revolution in a sustainable manner which will ultimately lead to increased economic growth and competitiveness of the African continent,” said Jeff Jacobs, president, global development for QUALCOMM.
QUALCOMM’s new office will also serve as a base for implementing Wireless Reach projects, which seek to empower underserved communities through the use of 3G wireless technologies to strengthen economic and social development. QUALCOMM recently announced an in-kind donation to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation for the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center which is currently under construction in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The contribution consists of 50 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO wireless devices and embedded laptops for hospital staff and a financial contribution in cash that will be used towards the purchase of service for the devices, medical software and information technology training. CDMA2000 1xEV-DO high-speed wireless data service will enable doctors to diagnose patients remotely through electronic access to patient information including medical records, vital signs, x-rays, CAT scans and other critical data.