Qualcomm monoculture is 'killing American wireless'

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

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From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com>
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 22:32:56 -0500
To: undisclosed-recipient:;
Subject: Qualcomm monoculture is 'killing American wireless'

Qualcomm monoculture is 'killing American wireless'

By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco
Posted: 06/11/2002 at 23:42 GMT

There's a huge reality gap if you follow wireless on this continent.
Proponents of the CDMA phone system used by the large American
networks (and rejected by most of the rest of the world) spend much
time boasting about the system's "technical superiority".

At the same time, the handsets and services here lag far behind those
on offer even in developing countries. Yesterday's technology
abounds: awful, antiquated phones are the norm. You just can't get
the coolest toys here unless you opt for one of the GSM networks and
when you do, as in California, you're effectively locking yourself
into a local monopoly.

Now, apart from a lunatic fringe of right-wing publications and
enthusiasts, everybody knows this awful truth. Amps and hertz don't
matter as much to the ordinary consumer as much as better handsets
and better services, and more choice.

A case in point: Bluetooth is a standard feature on many new GSM/GPRS
phones but the first CDMA 1X phone has yet to be launched. We were
astonished to learn, after speaking to representatives from Samsung
and Kyocera which are launching interesting PalmOS-based smartphones
that the industry is waiting on Bluetooth-capable chipsets from
Qualcomm. What, just the one supplier?

The following explanation comes from an experienced wireless
professional who prefers to remain anonymous.

...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/39/27975.html


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