Qualcomm stepped back Tues. from plan to spin off its semiconduct...
Qualcomm stepped back Tues. from plan to spin off its semiconductor business, Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, which covers its integrated circuits and system software. It said point of spinning off that business in first place had been to allow Qualcomm…
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CDMA Technologies to gain access as separate company to 3rd party intellectual property through cross-licensing agreements. Since spinoff plans were unveiled year ago, Qualcomm entered into 40 license agreements, including with NEC, Nokia, and Fujitsu, covering 3rd generation wireless systems. “Last year, we viewed the spinoff as necessary, among other things, to minimize potential patent litigation that could arise as a result of Qualcomm’s selling multimode chipsets, including WCDMA (Wideband- CDMA) and GSM technology,” Qualcomm Chmn.-CEO Irwin Jacobs said. Agreements subsequently reached with other companies have afforded Qualcomm “freedom to support global expansion of wireless industry by supplying integrated circuits and software that support one or more modes of CDMA as well as GSM.” Separately, Qualcomm said Richard Sulpizio was stepping down as pres.-COO. He didn’t give reason but said he would stay on as board member. In other major restructuring news, company’s board created two business groups: (1) Qualcomm Wireless & Internet Group. (2) Qualcomm CDMA Technologies Group. Board also named: CFO Anthony Thornley as COO; Paul Jacobs as group pres., Qualcomm Wireless & Internet Group, which covers Internet services such as Brew operating language; Donald Schrock as group pres., Qualcomm CDMA Technologies Group.