In telecommunications, QUALCOMM is the epitome of what vision and innovation can do. It was well established as a small contract research and development center in 1985 but soon had other ideas that would radically change the industry.

At that time, some people, like Irwin Jacobs and Andrew Viterbi, among others, were determined to develop better communication solutions, which later positioned QUALCOMM as one of the leading wireless technology companies on the planet.

The origins of QUALCOMM

For more than three decades now, QUALCOMM has always been at the forefront of some of the industry’s major milestones in telecommunication.

Their passion led to the commercialization of CDMA technology, which acted as a backbone for 2G networks while laying the foundation for the evolution of mobile communications.

With this invention, QUALCOMM moved from old government and defense-focused projects to being one of the biggest players in telecommunications all over the globe.

In 1988, QUALCOMM merged with Omninet and secured $3.5 million in funding. This money was set aside for the purpose of developing a satellite-based communication system called Omnitracs for truckers.

From only eight workers in 1986, QUALCOMM’s labor force grew to 620 by 1991, mainly because of the high demand for Omnitracs.

In 1989, QUALCOMM had revenues worth $32 million, half of which originated from a contract with Schneider National that marked the beginning of an era for the company.

The profits obtained from Omnitracs were instrumental in financing QUALCOMM’s research and development activities specifically related to advancing code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques used in cellular networks.

QUALCOMM continued to lead as each generation changed from 3G through 4G to finally 5G when it comes to wireless technology.

Each jump was characterized by its habitual hunt for innovation and improvement, thereby resulting in technology packages that have defined our connectivity today.

Global expansion and strategic acquisitions

QUALCOMM’s influence in the telecommunications sector continued to grow, and therefore, they expanded their global reach.

It was through this understanding of diversification and innovation that QUALCOMM took part in numerous acquisitions and partnerships, which saw it firmly establish itself as a leader in the mobile industry.

A major milestone during this period of growth occurred when QUALCOMM teamed up with Global Foundries. This helped it secure a critical supply of wafers and furthered its commitment to manufacturing within U.S. borders and expanding its capacity.

His partnership was announced in 2022 as a reaction to the increasing worldwide requirement for semiconductors, which emphasized local production as a tool for achieving national security and economic stability.

The alliance with GlobalFoundries is just one example of QUALCOMM's broader strategy to shape the mobile industry through strategic growth.

By forging key partnerships and securing long-term agreements, QUALCOMM has been able to ensure a steady supply of advanced semiconductor technologies, crucial for maintaining its competitive edge.

These strategic moves have allowed QUALCOMM to navigate the complex landscape of global supply chains while continuing to innovate and deliver cutting-edge solutions for the mobile ecosystem.

As the company looks to the future, its focus on strategic acquisitions and partnerships will remain integral to its success, enabling QUALCOMM to adapt to market changes and drive the industry forward.

Advancing the 5G landscape through recent innovations

In the current 5G network industry, QUALCOMM has been a major driver of innovation, with multiple game-changing releases that shaped wireless technology.

The company’s relentless research and development efforts have resulted in staggering enhancements to 5G system performance.

These improvements encompass more coverage capacity, expanded reach, and reduced latency, thereby leading to a stronger and more efficient network.

QUALCOMM has transformed the user experience by enabling faster internet speeds while improving connection reliability, even in harsh environments.

The launch of 5G Advanced Release 18 signifies a major turning point for QUALCOMM as it demonstrates the firm’s commitment to always be bettering itself through innovations.

It comes with new features that are aimed at enhancing experiences on devices while also unlocking efficiencies on networks. This includes improvements such as MIMO uplink performance improvements aimed at devices, making mobile coverage wider than before.

In attempting to address these areas, QUALCOMM is not only augmenting the current state of 5G but also laying down a strong foundation for future generations of wireless communication.

Recent news and developments

QUALCOMM has recently stated that Samsung, with its brand new Galaxy Z series smartphones such as the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, has integrated the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform.

Users have a unique experience with the Galaxy Z series, which is famous for its innovative foldable design, which is also portable.

These smartphones are now powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with the inclusion of Galaxy AI to deliver state-of-the-art AI capabilities, bringing revolutionary change to the premium Android experience.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform is made specifically for Android flagship smartphones and comes with multiple advanced features. Also, it has a desktop-like gaming experience through its immersive Snapdragon Elite Gaming feature.

Qualcomm Spectra further enhances AI-driven photography, thus allowing users to take pictures and edit them with higher quality and more creativity.

Gaming and streaming experiences are enhanced through the advanced Qualcomm Adreno GPU, resulting in faster graphics rendering by 25% and improved GPU power efficiency by the same percentage.

Furthermore, the Snapdragon X75 Modem-RF System offers better connectivity for 5G, resulting in faster operations, low energy consumption, and improved location accuracy.

Exploring 6G technology for the future

QUALCOMM is now looking at advancing 6G technology, relying on its extensive experience in 5G technology. The company’s efforts are focused on building a technical foundation for 6G through advances in existing 5G systems.

These consist of the aforementioned MIMO capabilities, device mobility, and advanced network topology. These improvements are part of the 5G Advance Release 19, which is the basis for a next-generation mobile platform.

QUALCOMM's rise from a small R&D center to a wireless technology giant exemplifies innovation and vision.

Pioneering advancements in telecommunications, it continues to shape the industry's future through relentless research, strategic partnerships, and groundbreaking developments in 5G and beyond.