CANNES, France, Feb. 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Bitfone Corporation (www.bitfone.com), the company that pioneered firmware over-the-air (FOTA) update technology for mobile phones, and QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq:QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced that QUALCOMM and Bitfone will provide software update capabilities initially for QUALCOMM's Mobile Station Modem(tm) (MSM(tm)) MSM6250(tm) chipset using Bitfone's mProve(tm) technology.
Bitfone's mProve update agents will be available on select QUALCOMM chipset solutions, enabling a quicker and easier implementation of FOTA for handset manufacturers. mProve offers both firmware and file-based update capabilities, allowing manufacturers and wireless operators to remotely service a device's operating system, run-time libraries and other core software functions while the device is in the subscriber's hands. Bitfone also recently announced mProve support for QUALCOMM's BREW(r) solution; mProve is optimized to provide firmware upgrade functionality to QUALCOMM's extensive community of BREW operators and OEMs worldwide.
"QUALCOMM selected mProve for its advanced feature set, flexible deployment and standards compliance," said Luis Pineda, senior vice president of marketing and product management for QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "This emerging service addresses real operator needs, providing the tools necessary to enable device upgrades over the air."
"We're pleased that QUALCOMM has selected our patented mProve technology to support FOTA on their 3G chipset solutions and enhance their device management initiatives on the BREW platform," said Gene Wang, chairman and CEO for Bitfone. "Having QUALCOMM facilitate the adoption of embedded OTA technology by manufacturers and operators will be a significant factor enabling Bitfone to achieve our 2005 goals."
Bitfone recently announced the award of a broad-based FOTA patent, U.S. Patent No. 6,832,373, which covers methods of remotely updating an electronic device with an update package via a public network. The award of this patent enhances Bitfone's position as the leader in FOTA solutions for the wireless market.
The MSM6250 chipset is part of QUALCOMM's Multimedia Platform which also includes the MSM6100(tm), MSM6225(tm), MSM6250, MSM6300(tm) and MSM6500(tm) chipsets -- single-chip solutions that deliver engaging multimedia devices and applications to more market segments in every major wireless standard. The MSM6250 chipset supports the Company's Launchpad(tm) suite of advanced multimedia, connectivity, position location, user interface and removable storage functionality, including QUALCOMM's gpsOne(r) solution, the world's most broadly deployed assisted-GPS handset technology.
QUALCOMM's chipsets also support the Company's BREW ecosystem, which enables the development and monetization of advanced applications and content, allowing operators and OEMs to differentiate their products and services and increase revenues. QUALCOMM's chipsets are also compatible with the Java(r) runtime environment; J2ME(tm) can be built entirely on the chipset as an extension to the BREW solution.
About QUALCOMM
QUALCOMM (Nasdaq:QCOM) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2004 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 is deployed, 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 26, 2004, and most recent Form 10-Q.
About Bitfone Corporation
Bitfone Corporation provides unparalleled expertise and innovative software solutions for customer care automation and mobile device management to wireless operators and handset providers. Bitfone's SmartCare, mProve and MVP products improve usability of mobile devices by diagnosing and repairing software problems and delivering software updates and configuration settings over the air. Bitfone's solutions allow customers to analyze, fix and enhance mobile devices, safely and efficiently. Bitfone's customers also benefit from significant cost savings in the areas of customer service and warranty, improved device quality and subscriber satisfaction, and broader adoption of advanced wireless services. Bitfone is a private company headquartered in Laguna Niguel, California, with offices in Canada, China, Japan, Korea, and the U.K. For more information, please visit www.bitfone.com.
QUALCOMM, gpsOne and BREW are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Mobile Station Modem, MSM, MSM6100, MSM6225, MSM6250, MSM6300, MSM6500 and Launchpad are trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. mProve is a trademark of Bitfone Corporation. Java and J2ME are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.