Qualcomm sets up local office

Seeing the huge potential for growth of 3G-enabled information and communications technologies and services in the country, Qualcomm, a leading provider of digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies, recently announced that it is finally setting up a representative office here in the country with the appointment Mantosh Malhotra as its first Philippines country manager.

In an interview held recently in Makati City, Malhotra said the company believes the Philippine 3G market is already at the tipping point. “We see a huge opportunity to grow the 3G market here,” he said. During the interview he discussed how a country like the Philippines can take advantage of the economic benefits of 3G.

“Today, 3G networks play a vital role in expanding access to essential communication (voice) and value-added information (data) services. To stay competitive in the global economy, countries are adopting 3G to improve their overall level of teledensity (including broadband Internet penetration). Increases in teledensity, in turn lead to complementary benefits in the form of enhanced gross domestic product (GDP) and job creation opportunities in the telecommunications sector,” he explained.

He also mentioned that economic studies indicate that for every one percent increase in a country’s broadband Internet penetration, GDP per capita increases by roughly 10 percent (USD), and a one percent increase in mobile penetration results in a GDP per capita increase of roughly five percent (USD).

There is no doubt that the free flow of information and communication is paramount to the progress of society. 3G technologies (i.e. UMTS, CDMA2000) are viewed as essential elements for advancing socio-economic development for countries worldwide.

Globally, 3G technologies benefit entire countries by supporting the proliferation of information, enabling citizens to access vital communication services and promoting the development of technology advancements. It is estimated that mobile broadband usage will grow exponentially over the next three years, delivering the Internet and a plethora of other compelling services to more than 1.3 billion people globally by 2012.

The expansion of 3G networks, devices and services in countries around the world is enhancing quality of life and providing expanded economic opportunities, both in the public and private sectors.

Furthermore, 3G is improving the lives of underserved citizens, bridging the “digital divide” that exists in certain regions of the world, particularly in developing countries where teledensity and Internet penetration are low. Access to 3G mobile connectivity helps to address these concerns by delivering essential and richer communication services (i.e. financial, healthcare, education, etc.) that benefit people at every tier of society.

“3G mobile communication services are redefining the way people communicate on a daily basis,” Malhotra said. An estimated 3.43 billion people globally depend on mobile services as an integral part of their daily life. And as countries increase the adoption of 3G technologies, the public demand for richer mobile services continues to grow.

Mobile communications can be categorized as ubiquitous (anytime, anywhere and anyplace); personal (MMS, video messaging, post cards, instant messaging, etc.) or interactive (push-to-talk, video telephony, video sharing).

He cites as examples current 3G applications like Vodacom’s “The Grid” service in South Africa, which offers a social networking application enhanced via GPS-enabled location awareness technology; and Globe Telecom’s G-Cash service that offers its subscribers (97 percent of whom are prepaid customers) banking, money transfer and mobile wallet services.

Malhotra also mentioned the impact of 3G technologies on the healthcare industry as wireless health services ranging from medication reminders to remote diagnostic and monitoring services become a reality.

In conclusion, Malhotra said by adopting 3G countries can experience higher levels of GDP per capita and job creation in the telecommunications sector. Moreover 3G will expand a country’s opportunities in the business sector. Finally, 3G provides the country’s citizens with richer, more compelling communications services.

“Access to convenient, affordable and highly customizable mobile broadband devices and services makes life more productive, secure and meaningful and empowers people to transform the way they live, learn, work and play,” he added.