Qualcomm was a substantial early SBIR participant which has long since outgrown the program. Management nonetheless acknowledge the value and importance of SBIR funding at a critical point in the earliest days of the firm. With strong roots in LINKABIT - the firm formed by Dr Irwin Jacobs before becoming a a co-founder of Qualcomm and now Chair - the firm develops Internet and intranet tools and electronic management software with applications for electronic message systems, groupware, voice message systems and computer teleconferencing. The firm expanded to become a leading provider of digital wireless communications products, technologies and services. Structured in four divisions: Qualcomm Code Division Multiple Access Technologies (QCT), Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL), Qualcomm Wireless and Internet (QWI), and Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI). The QCT segment develops and supplies code division multiple access (CDMA)-based integrated circuits and system software for wireless voice and data communications and multimedia functions, as well as global positioning system products based on its CDMA technology and other technologies. The QTL segment grants licenses to use portions of its intellectual property portfolio comprising patent rights useful in the manufacture and sale of certain wireless products, such as products implementing cdmaOne, CDMA2000, WCDMA, CDMA TDD, and/or OFDMA standards and their derivatives. The QWI segment comprises Qualcomm Internet Services that provides content enablement services for the wireless industry and push-to-talk and other products and services for wireless network operators; Qualcomm Government Technologies, which offers development, hardware, and analytical services to US government agencies involving wireless communications technologies; Qualcomm Enterprise Services that provides satellite and terrestrial-based two-way data messaging, position reporting, wireless application services, and managed data services to transportation and logistics companies and other enterprise companies; and Firethorn, which builds and manages software applications that enable financial institutions and wireless operators to offer mobile commerce services. The QSI segment makes strategic investments to promote the worldwide adoption of CDMA-based products and services.
