Qualcomm’s Firmware Updates Go Mobile

SAN FRANCISCO — Wasting time upgrading phone software is one problem
Qualcomm just won’t put up with anymore.

The San Diego-based firm launched a new program for its BREW-enabled
devices that lets users update their firmware over wireless networks
rather than making an in-store visit or adhering to massive device
recalls from the company.

So now instead of sending a fleet’s phones in for upgrades, Qualcomm
said the new service can automatically repair software flaws or add new
functions over wireless networks. The firmware over-the-air (FOTA)
update is part of the company’s latest BREW Distribution System (BDS)
release (BDS 2004).

Gina Lombardi, senior vice president of marketing
and product management for Qualcomm Internet Services, said that the
service would soon be available for both GSM and CDMA networks.

The company demonstrated the new service with the help of its
partners Bitfone and Insignia Solutions on a Curitel
CDM-8940 handset during the CTIA Wireless conference here.

“The ability to make over-the-air updates to our devices not only
reduces the need for software-related device recalls, but also allows us
to quickly and easily deploy product upgrades and accelerate the
adoption of wireless services,” said Dan Kim, vice president of product
planning at Pantech & Curitel. “Because these new FOTA capabilities are
easy to implement using the BREW solution, we’re able to almost
instantly raise our level of support beyond that of the competition.”

Qualcomm’s moves come at a time when the wireless industry is
experiencing a Renaissance of sorts. The CTIA Wireless Association
issued a report Monday saying wireless subscribers grew by an estimated
14.5 percent between June 2003 and June 2004. The report also pointed to
the nearly 27,000 cell sites that have been constructed in the previous
year — an increase of 18 percent. Today the CTIA said there are more
than 174,000 cell sites across the nation.

CTIA CEO Steve Largent also reiterated research firm IDC’s report
that 46 percent of corporations interviewed plan to install wireless
networks in the next 12 months. Some 68 percent of those are
small-to-medium sized businesses.

Well known in the shipping and manufacturing sectors, Qualcomm’s
preparations include licensing the Microsoft Windows
Media Player codec to make it easier to play audio and video on its
handsets.

Earlier this month, Qualcomm said it would pay $170 million for
Iridigm Display, which makes screen display technology for wireless
devices, cameras, MP3 players, camcorders, GPS receivers and game
consoles. Qualcomm is also in negotiations with Spike Technologies to
the tune of $19 million.