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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO .
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COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-19528
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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DELAWARE 95-3685934
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
6455 LUSK BLVD. 92121-2779
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (ZIP CODE)
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (619) 587-1121
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SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
NONE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
COMMON STOCK
(TITLE OF CLASS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III
of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
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The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non affiliates
of the registrant as of November 16, 1998 was 3,345,651,578.*
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock
was 70,712,862 as of November 16, 1998.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with
the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the registrant's
1999 Annual Meeting are incorporated herein by reference into Part III of this
Report. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission not later than 120 days after the registrant's fiscal year ended
September 27, 1998.
Certain Exhibits filed with the registrant's (i) Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42782), as amended; (ii) Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 1992; (iii)
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-62724), as amended; (iv)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 26, 1993; (v)
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 27, 1994, as amended; (vi) Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-2750); (vii) Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-2752); (viii) Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (Registration No. 333-2754); (ix) Registration Statement on Form S-8
(Registration No. 333-2756); (x) Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of
September 26, 1995; (xi) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 29, 1996; and (xii) Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration
No. 333-26069), as amended, are incorporated by reference into Part IV of this
Report. In addition, certain Exhibits filed by Leap Wireless International, Inc.
with that company's Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended (File No.
0-29752), are incorporated by reference into Part IV of this Report.
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* Excludes the Common Stock held by executive officers, directors and
stockholders whose ownership exceeds 5% of the Common Stock outstanding at
November 16, 1998. Exclusion of such shares should not be construed to indicate
that any such person possesses the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause
the direction of the management or policies of the registrant or that such
person is controlled by or under common control with the registrant.
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QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
INDEX
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PAGE
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PART I
Item 1. Business................................................................ 1
Introduction............................................................ 1
Recent Developments..................................................... 2
Wireless Telecommunications Industry Overview........................... 2
Strategy................................................................ 4
CDMA Technology and Products............................................ 5
Globalstar.............................................................. 8
Microsoft Corporation Joint Venture..................................... 9
Spin-off of Leap Wireless International, Inc............................ 9
Government Systems...................................................... 10
Manufacturing and Backlog............................................... 10
Research and Development................................................ 10
Competition............................................................. 10
Patents, Trademarks and Trade Secrets................................... 11
Employees............................................................... 12
Executive Officers...................................................... 12
Risk Factors............................................................ 14
Item 2. Properties.............................................................. 24
Item 3. Legal Proceedings....................................................... 25
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..................... 26
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and
Related Stockholder Matters.......................................... 26
Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data.................................... 27
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations........................ 28
Item 7.A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk............... 36
Item 8. Financial Statements.................................................... 38
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosures................................. 38
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant...................... 38
Item 11. Executive Compensation.................................................. 38
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management..................................... 38
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.......................... 39
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K......... 39
Signatures.............................................................. 43
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TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES
OmniTRACS(R), PureVoice(TM), Q phone(TM), QCell(TM), QCore(TM),
QCP-820(TM), QCP1900(R), QCP-1920(TM), QCP-2700(R), QCT-8000(TM), PdQ(TM),
QEDesign(R) TRUckMAIL(TM), QWBS and QUALCOMM(R) are trademarks and/or
servicemarks of the Company. All other trademarks or servicemarks appearing in
this document are the property of their respective holders.
cdmaOne(TM) is a trademark of the CDMA Development Group.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Except for the historical information contained herein, the
following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. QUALCOMM Incorporated's ("QUALCOMM" or the "Company") future
results could differ materially from those discussed here. Factors that could
cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not specifically
limited to: the ability to develop and introduce cost effective new products in
a timely manner; avoiding delays in the commercial implementation of the
Company's Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") technology; continued growth in
the CDMA subscriber population and the scale-up and operations of CDMA systems;
developments in current or future litigation; the Company's ability to
effectively manage growth and the intense competition in the wireless
communications industry; risks associated with vendor financing; timing and
receipt of license fees and royalties; the Company's ability to successfully
manufacture and sell significant quantities of CDMA infrastructure products on
a timely basis; failure to satisfy performance obligations; as well as the other
risks detailed in this section, and in the sections entitled Risk Factors and
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations. The Company's consolidated financial data presented includes
QUALCOMM's Personal Electronics ("QPE") and certain other subsidiaries of the
Company.
INTRODUCTION
QUALCOMM is a leading provider of digital wireless communications products,
technologies and services. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and
markets wireless communications, infrastructure and subscriber products and
designs, develops and markets Application Specific Integrated Circuits
("ASICs"), based on its CDMA technology. The Company also licenses and receives
royalty payments on its CDMA technology from major domestic and international
telecommunications equipment suppliers. In addition, the Company designs,
manufactures, distributes and operates products and services for the OmniTRACS
system. The Company also has contracts with Globalstar L.P. ("Globalstar") to
design, develop and manufacture subscriber products and ground communications
systems ("gateways"), and to provide contract development services (the
"Globalstar System").
The Company's CDMA technology has been adopted as an industry standard for
digital cellular, Personal Communications Services ("PCS") and Wireless Local
Loop ("WLL") networks as well as other wireless services. Wireless networks
based on the Company's current implementation of CDMA technology, referred to as
cdmaOne, have been commercially deployed or are under development in
approximately 38 countries. The Company believes that CDMA carriers have signed
on more than 16 million commercial subscribers worldwide, with extensive
deployment in the U.S., Canada, South Korea and Hong Kong. In addition, CDMA
networks are planned or deployed in a number of other countries, including
Australia, Brazil, Chile, the People's Republic of China, India, Mexico, the
Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia and Ukraine.
To support the proliferation of CDMA technology and products and to
generate revenues for the Company, QUALCOMM has entered into over 65
royalty-bearing license agreements with major domestic and international
telecommunications companies, including Lucent, Motorola, Nokia, NEC, Nortel,
Samsung and Sony. QUALCOMM receives up-front license fees in addition to ongoing
royalties from its licensees based on their worldwide sales of CDMA subscriber,
infrastructure and ASICs products.
QUALCOMM is a major supplier of subscriber, network infrastructure and
ASICs products based on its CDMA technology. The Company, through its QPE joint
venture, is one of the largest manufacturers of CDMA handsets and as of
September 1998, has shipped over seven million handsets. The Company is also a
manufacturer of CDMA network infrastructure products, including the QCell family
of Base Station Transceiver Subsystems ("BTSs") and the QCore family of Base
Station Controllers ("BSCs"). Finally, the Company designs and sells CDMA ASICs
for incorporation into its own subscriber and infrastructure products and the
products of its licensees. As the developer of CDMA for commercial wireless
networks, the Company believes it has unique CDMA ASIC design capabilities.
Through September 1998, the Company has shipped approximately 25 million Mobile
Station Modem ("MSM") ASICs to CDMA handset manufacturers worldwide, including
QPE.
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OmniTRACS provides two-way satellite-based data messaging and position
reporting services to mobile users, primarily transportation operators in the
long-haul trucking industry. The Company has sold over 250,000 OmniTRACS
terminals worldwide in 33 countries, both directly and through joint ventures
and strategic alliances, and operates an Network Management Facility in the U.S.
that the Company estimates processes over five million messages and position
reports per day for over 850 customers.
The Company is also designing, developing, manufacturing and selling
gateway and subscriber products and providing contract development services for
the Globalstar System. The Globalstar System will be built and operated by a
partnership comprised of Loral Space & Communications, Ltd. and other
companies. The Company owns a 6.5% interest in the partnership.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On September 23, 1998, the Company completed the spin-off of its
interests in several domestic and international emerging terrestrial-based
wireless telecommunications operating companies through a distribution to its
stockholders of all of the shares of Leap Wireless International, Inc. ("Leap
Wireless"). In connection with the distribution, the Company also transferred to
Leap Wireless certain assets including cash and certain indebtedness owed to us
by the transferred operating companies. Further, if certain events occur within
18 months after the distribution, the Company will transfer to Leap Wireless its
equity interest in, and certain working capital loans from, a Ukrainian wireless
operating company. The Company also made a substantial funding commitment to
Leap Wireless in the form of a $265 million secured credit facility. In
connection with the distribution, Leap Wireless issued a warrant to QUALCOMM to
purchase approximately 18% of the fully diluted common stock of Leap Wireless at
the time of the distribution. The Company's primary reasons for completing the
spin-off included eliminating potential conflicts between the Company and
certain of its customers and enabling both the Company and Leap Wireless to be
recognized and appropriately valued by the financial community.
On November 10, 1998, the Company and Microsoft Corporation
announced the formation of a broad strategic partnership to enable secure and
airlink-independent Internet access to all mobile users. The new joint venture,
WirelessKnowledge, will be an equally held company. WirelessKnowledge will be
accessible over all digital wireless wide area networks, including those based
on CDMA technology, Time Division Multiple Access ("TDMA")/Global System for
Mobile Communications ("GSM"), CDPD and Mobitex. WirelessKnowledge services will
enable carriers to offer their mobile customers wireless access to data and
applications securely over their choice of wireless networks and enterprise
systems. Commercial availability is slated for the first half of calendar 1999,
enabling carriers to deliver valuable new services to their customers,
regardless of technology or device preference.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Demand for wireless telecommunications continues to grow at a
significant rate. The Strategis Group estimates that there will be over 285
million cellular/PCS subscribers worldwide in 1998, a number projected to reach
over 690 million in 2003. This implies a compound annual growth rate of 19%.
This demand is largely attributable to the widespread availability and
increasing affordability of mobile telephone and other emerging wireless
telecommunications services. Technological advances and a regulatory environment
more favorable to competition have also served to stimulate market growth. In
less developed countries, wireless services have become an alternative to fixed
wireline services that are characterized by poor quality, limited capacity and
long installation waiting periods.
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Despite this rapid growth in the number of cellular subscribers,
wireless minutes of use currently represent only a small percentage of total
telecommunications traffic. The Company believes the anticipated lower cost and
higher quality of wireless service, combined with technological improvements in
handsets, will fuel further growth of the wireless market. In addition to lower
prices, the Company believes increased voice quality, battery life and
functionality, as well as awareness of the productivity, convenience and
emergency communications capability, particularly associated with CDMA wireless
services, will contribute to the growth in demand for wireless airtime.
Technology. Wireless telecommunications service is currently
available using either analog or digital technology. Although it is currently
more widely deployed than digital technology, analog technology has several
limitations compared to digital technology, including limited capacity, less
consistent service quality (e.g., lower voice quality and more dropped calls),
limited effectiveness in preventing "eavesdropping," greater susceptibility to
fraud and "cloning" and less reliability in data transfer. Digital wireless
telecommunications systems address the capacity constraints of analog systems by
converting voice or data signals into a stream of digits that is compressed
before transmission, enabling a single radio channel to carry multiple
simultaneous signal transmissions. This increased capacity, along with
enhancements in digital protocols, allows digital-based transfer systems to
offer new and advanced services including greater call privacy, low-priced
service options, greater fraud protection, single number service, integrated
voice and paging and enhanced wireless data transmission services such as
e-mail, facsimile and wireless connections to computer networks. Digital
wireless systems generally operate at either 800-900 MHz (generally referred to
as cellular) or 1800-1900 MHz (generally referred to as PCS).
Two primary digital technologies are available for wireless
applications and have been adopted as standards by the Telecommunications
Industry Association ("TIA"): CDMA, developed by the Company, and TDMA. In July
1993, the TIA adopted a North American industry standard ("IS-95") for cellular
telecommunications based on QUALCOMM's CDMA technology. In April 1995, the
Company's CDMA technology was approved as a standard for PCS that was published
as ANSI standard J-STD-008. CDMA has been extensively deployed in the United
States, Canada and South Korea and is deployed or is under development in
approximately 35 other countries. TDMA has been deployed primarily in the U.S.
and Latin America, while a variation of TDMA known as GSM, has been extensively
utilized in Europe, much of Asia and certain other markets. Other digital
wireless technologies, particularly GSM, to date, have been more widely adopted
than CDMA and there can be no assurance that wireless service providers will
select CDMA for their networks.
Infrastructure, subscriber and ASICs products for digital wireless
technology are widely available from a number of large, well-capitalized
telecommunication companies. According to the TIA, worldwide spending on
telecommunications products is expected to increase from $250 billion in 1997 to
$400 billion in 2001. Major providers of subscriber products include Ericsson,
Motorola, Nokia, Philips, Samsung and Sony. Significant wireless infrastructure
product manufacturers include Alcatel, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Lucent, Motorola,
NEC, Nokia and Nortel. Significant providers of CDMA ASICs include DSP
Communications, LSI Logic Corporation and VLSI Technology.
Emerging Next Generation Digital Standards. Industry participants
and the International Telecommunications Union ("ITU"), an organization based in
Geneva, Switzerland, are currently considering a variety of standards for third
generation wireless networks which will fulfill the requirements of the ITU's
IMT-2000 concept. The Company is advocating the standardization of a single,
converged CDMA-based third generation standard that accommodates equally the two
dominant network standards in use today. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be successful in promoting the adoption of a single CDMA standard
or that such a standard, if adopted, will be compatible with today's cdmaOne
networks. The Company believes that its CDMA patent portfolio is applicable to
other CDMA proposals for other third generation standards and has informed
standards bodies and the ITU that it holds essential Intellectual Property
Rights for third generation proposals submitted for IMT-2000 based on CDMA.
Further, the Company intends to vigorously enforce and protect its intellectual
property position against any infringement. However, there can be no assurance
that the Company's CDMA patents will be determined to be applicable to any
proposed standard or that the Company will be able to redesign its products on a
cost-effective and timely basis to incorporate next generation wireless
technology. The adoption of next generation standards which are incompatible
with cdmaOne or which are
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determined not to rely on the Company's intellectual property could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations,
liquidity and financial position.
The Company has indicated its willingness to license its
intellectual property rights on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms
for standards meeting a set of technical criteria based on three fairness
principles which support convergence of all proposed third generation CDMA
technologies. The fairness principles are: (1) a single, converged worldwide
CDMA standard should be selected as the third generation standard; (2) the
converged CDMA standard must accommodate equally the two dominant network
standards in use today; and (3) disputes on specific technological points should
be resolved by selecting the proposal that either is demonstrably superior in
terms of performance, features, or cost, or in the case of alternatives with no
demonstrable material difference, the choice that is most compatible with
existing technology.
Wireless Local Loop. WLL systems provide fixed (non-mobile)
telephone services to users by transmitting voice messages over radio waves from
the public switched network to the location of the fixed telephone. WLL systems
are an alternative to traditional copper and fiber based fixed services with the
potential to be implemented more quickly and at lower cost than wireline
services. WLL systems increasingly are being adopted in developing markets in
order to quickly respond to the large unmet demand for communications services.
The competitive challenges of this market are representative of a developing
industry. Restraints include convincing network operators of WLL's merits over
wireline systems, a finite supply or slow allocation of spectrum, and limited
availability of project financing. According to Frost & Sullivan, calendar year
1997 was the first substantial year in revenue growth for WLL Products, with
forecast revenues to reach $16.5 billion by 2002.
STRATEGY
QUALCOMM's strategy is to be a leading provider of CDMA-based
wireless communications products and services. Elements of our strategy include:
Promote Worldwide Commercialization of CDMA. A major component of
QUALCOMM's strategy is to promote the worldwide commercial implementation of the
Company's CDMA technology in order to generate licensing and royalty revenues
and product sales. To facilitate adoption of CDMA, the Company designs and
markets proprietary CDMA ASICs and, through the Company's Consumer Products and
Infrastructure Products Divisions, it designs, develops, manufactures and
markets CDMA subscriber and infrastructure products. In addition, to promote the
advantages of CDMA and position CDMA as an important part of evolving digital
wireless technology standards, the Company actively seeks to license its CDMA
technology to major telecommunications products manufacturers; works closely
with wireless providers and regulatory bodies; and participates actively in
various standards-setting groups and trade organizations.
Continue Leadership in CDMA Products. QUALCOMM is a leading supplier
of CDMA products, including ASICs. Through its Consumer Products and
Infrastructure Products Divisions, the Company is a leading supplier of CDMA
subscriber and infrastructure products. As the developer of CDMA for commercial
wireless networks, the Company believes it has unique expertise in supplying
products and ASICs specifically designed for CDMA systems. We plan to continue
to invest heavily in research and development in order to commercialize new
leading-edge CDMA-based products and services. The Company supports it CDMA
products sales by offering financing to its customers.
Focus on Core Technologies. One of QUALCOMM's primary objectives is
to leverage its extensive intellectual property portfolio as a means of
generating revenues for the Company. QUALCOMM's proprietary core technologies
are used in a variety of digital wireless communications systems that are
deployed in terrestrial, airborne or satellite-based products. The Company
employs over 2,800 engineers and scientists focused on developing and expanding
its core technology base, particularly as it relates to next generation digital
wireless communications technology. The Company will continue to place strong
emphasis on filing and obtaining U.S. and foreign patents and other forms of
protection for its technology. The Company has been issued over 200 U.S. patents
and has over 500 patent applications pending in the U.S. The Company also
actively pursues foreign patent protection in other countries of interest to the
Company.
Leverage Industry Partnerships. The Company has an ongoing
commitment to the evolution and expansion of our technologies and products
through strategic partnerships and alliances. These partnerships and alliances
are designed to ensure product leadership and competitive advantage in the
marketplace. For example, the Company recently announced the
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formation of WirelessKnowledge, a joint venture with Microsoft Corporation,
which will focus on wireless data communication, information technology and
computing. QUALCOMM also has entered into strategic infrastructure manufacturing
alliances, such as those with Hitachi, Hughes and Nortel. The Company and Sony
formed QPE, which manufactures CDMA-based subscriber products. The Company has
also entered into service and product supply agreements with numerous
international partners, including Alcatel, to further the penetration of
OmniTRACS around the world.
CDMA TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS
The Company's CDMA technology is a proprietary integrated software
and hardware system for digitally transmitting telecommunication signals in a
wireless network. Unlike analog or other digital systems, QUALCOMM's CDMA system
can reuse the same spectrum in each antenna sector of each cell in a wireless
system to provide more efficient use of allocated spectrum and an increase in
capacity. Using our CDMA technology, multiple calls are coded and transmitted
across a 1.25 MHz channel instead of being transmitted on individual narrow band
frequency channels, as with Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS), or TDMA/GSM.
Each CDMA telephone is assigned its own code to encode analog voice signals that
have been converted into digital bit streams using our proprietary PureVoice
vocoders. The coded signals are then transmitted over the air to the cell site,
where a CDMA channel unit or modem then processes them.
Advantages of CDMA
The increasing number of commercial CDMA systems has confirmed the
results found in repeated field trials which demonstrated that our CDMA
technology provides the following advantages over analog technology and the
other digital technologies:
Increased Capacity. The Company's CDMA technology allows a greater
number of calls within the allocated frequency than other systems, thus
increasing subscriber capacity for each antenna sector to as much as 10 to 20
times the current analog systems and at least three to four times TDMA/GSM-based
systems. The Company believes future products in development will support even
greater capacity enhancements.
Higher Quality. There are inherent quality advantages in our CDMA
technology that result in a consistently higher quality voice and data
transmission throughout the coverage area for mobile and fixed wireless
telephone operations.
Fewer Dropped Calls. The Company's CDMA technology is designed to
allow for "soft hand-off" when a user switches from one cell site to another,
thus reducing the number of dropped calls compared to analog and TDMA/GSM
systems.
Enhanced Privacy and Data Transmission. Because calls made over CDMA
systems are low power, wide band and coded, our CDMA technology inherently
provides greatly improved privacy for users and virtually error free data
transmission.
Lower Power and Extended Talk Time. The Company's proprietary power
control system constantly monitors and adjusts mobile telephone power output to
the minimum level required to achieve high quality voice or data transmission.
As a result, the average transmitted power required for CDMA is typically
reduced from one-twenty-fifth to one-thousandth of the power required for analog
systems. Lower average transmitted power results in longer talk time and lighter
weight, lower cost portable telephones.
Lower Infrastructure Costs and Easier Transition. CDMA systems can
achieve the same level of coverage as the current analog or TDMA/GSM based
systems using fewer cells, which reduces overall infrastructure cost and the
subsequent maintenance cost of CDMA systems.
Licensing of CDMA Technology
As part of QUALCOMM's strategy to generate licensing revenues and
support worldwide adoption of its CDMA technology, the Company licenses to third
parties the rights to design, manufacture and sell products utilizing its CDMA
technology. The following table lists the majority of QUALCOMM's currently
signed licensees:
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INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS SUBSCRIBER PRODUCTS TEST EQUIPMENT
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AT&T
Fujitsu Acer Peripherals, Inc. Advantest
Hitachi Alps Electric Ando
Hughes Network Systems Appeal Anritsu Corporation
Hyundai Electronics AT&T Comarco Wireless
LGIC Casio Grayson Electronics
Lucent DENSO Hewlett-Packard
Motorola Fujitsu IFR Systems
NEC Hanwha Corporation Japan Radio Co., Ltd.
Nortel Haitai Electronics Co., Ltd. LCC
Samsung Electronics Hitachi Ltd. Racal Instruments
Hughes Network Systems Rohde & Schwarz
Hyundai Electronics Rotadata
ASICS Kenwood Safco
- ------------ Kokusai Electric Co., Ltd. Sage Instruments
DSP Communications Kyocera Corporation Tektronix
LSI Logic Corporation LGE Wavetek
PrairieComm, Inc. LGIC Willtech
VLSI Technology Lucent
Matsushita
Maxon OTHER
Mitsubishi -----
Motorola Lockheed Sanders
NEC Ortel Corporation
NOKIA
OKI Electric
Pantech Company
Philips Consumer Communications
SK Telecom Company
Samsung Electronics
Sanyo
Sharp Corporation
Siemens ROLM
Sony
Synertek
Toshiba
Uniden
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The Company's CDMA license agreements generally provide
cross-licenses to QUALCOMM to use certain of its licensees' technology to
manufacture and sell certain CDMA products. In most cases, the Company's use of
its licensees' technology is royalty free. However, under some of the licenses,
if the Company incorporates certain of the licensed technology into certain of
its products, it is obligated to pay royalties on the sale of such products.
Motorola is entitled, subject to the terms of its license agreement, to share in
a percentage of third-party royalties paid by licensees to the Company.
Licensees are generally required to pay the Company up-front license fees as
well as ongoing royalties based on a percentage of the selling price of CDMA
subscriber and infrastructure products. Up-front fees paid in one or more
installments and royalties generally continue throughout the life of the
underlying patents.
Subscriber Products
QUALCOMM designs, manufactures and markets wireless handsets and
accessories utilizing CDMA technology for use in mobile, fixed, wireless and
satellite networks. The Company was the first to market with a CDMA phone in
1995, and as of September 1998, through QPE, has shipped approximately seven
million CDMA phones. QUALCOMM's handset customers include AirTouch, Bell
Atlantic Mobile, PrimeCo and Sprint PCS. The Company produces a number of models
in its QCP line of phones including the QCP-2700, the first dual-band, dual-mode
CDMA digital PCS 1900 MHz/800 MHz analog phone, the QCP-820 dual-mode 800 MHz
CDMA digital/analog cellular phone and the QCP-1920 CDMA PCS 1900 MHz phone.
These models are light weight and offer a host of features including: a unique
dial shuttle allowing users to quickly and easily operate the phone with a
single touch; a new user interface to provide simple, rapid access to a host of
phone features; an ergonomically designed earpiece, providing users optimal
comfort and exceptional sound reception; intelligent internal charging controls;
and three battery options, including a slim NiMH battery, NiCd battery and an
extended Lithium Ion battery.
In September 1998, QUALCOMM introduced the "pdQ Smartphone," an
all-in-one digital phone and pen-based organizer that integrates QUALCOMM's CDMA
wireless technology with 3Com's Palm Computing platform. The pdQ Smartphone is
designed to maximize CDMA wireless data capabilities to provide users with the
ability not only to make voice calls, but also to keep track of appointments,
catalog contact information, send and receive e-mail, browse the Internet, and
receive alpha numeric pages, all from one device. QUALCOMM intends to
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commence market trials of the pdQ Smartphone in the calendar fourth quarter of
1998, with commercial availability expected in the first half of calendar year
1999.
The Company also produces a line of WLL telephones offering voice,
fax and data capabilities for the home or office.
Infrastructure Products
QUALCOMM designs, manufactures, markets and deploys infrastructure
products for use in CDMA wireless networks. As of September 1998, the Company
had shipped over 2,000 base stations and related infrastructure products to
wireless operators around the world. The Company's infrastructure product line
includes BTS, Mobile Switching Centers ("MSC"), BSC and other related products
built in compliance with the TIA IS-95 (cellular) and J-STD-008 (PCS) standards
for both fixed, mobile and hybrid service networks. The Company's BTS product
line, the QCell family of products, contains the radio transceiver that
establishes wireless communications with a mobile telephone. The QCell product
line offers superior, scalable coverage and capacity at an economical cost using
the latest CDMA designs. The network intelligence to manage overall call
processing and CDMA control is housed in our QCore product line, including both
MSC and BSC products. QCore also supports emerging wireless data standards and
provides service features, when applicable, such as customer billing and
operations, administration and maintenance functionality. QUALCOMM's QCore 22X
integrates the BSC and switching functionality in a high performance, compact
package. The QCore 22 BSC can connect to other vendors' switching platforms
through standard open interfaces, and the Company has formed strategic
partnerships and completed integration testing with major switch manufacturers
in support of these open interface solutions. Together, the QCell and QCore
products have been designed to provide a range of complete, flexible, turnkey
solutions for wireless operators in both cellular and PCS bands. The Company
also offers QEDesign and QCTest, hardware and software suites designed to assist
in network planning, deployment and optimization.
QUALCOMM is the industry leader in supporting IS-707 data services,
that is used for IS-95 CDMA services, on its infrastructure products. The
Company was the first to demonstrate packet data on a live network and the first
to commercialize circuit-switched, digital fax and packet data on its
infrastructure platforms. In response to the need for higher speed data
services, QUALCOMM is evolving cdmaOne networks to support higher data rates
(HDR). In September 1998, the Company successfully demonstrated this capability
in a live environment at a major trade event in Orlando, Florida.
Wireless and satellite network operators, both domestic and
international, increasingly have required their product suppliers to arrange or
provide long-term financing as a condition to obtaining or bidding on
infrastructure projects. Competition among infrastructure product providers is
intense, and in order for the Company to effectively compete, it is required to
provide significant financing for its infrastructure product customers
worldwide. The Company currently has vendor financing obligations with a
majority of its infrastructure customers, including Globalstar, Chase
Telecommunications, Inc. ("Chase Telcom"), Chilesat Telefonia Personal, S.A.
("Chilesat PCS") and Pegaso Telecomunicaiones, S.A. de C.V. ("Pegaso"). In
order to provide for such financing, the Company will likely be subject to
significant project, market, political, credit and foreign exchange risks.
See "Risk Factors -- Vendor Financing."
ASICs Products
The Company's ASICs products provide solutions for a full range of
CDMA wireless communication products as well as a variety of other applications.
CDMA ASICs include the MSM, Baseband Analog Processor and Cell Station Modem.
The Company's CDMA ASICs are designed for increased functionality with fewer
components, which reduces the size and overall costs of the manufactured
product. The Company designs its proprietary CDMA ASICs for incorporation in its
own subscriber and infrastructure products and sale to its licensees for use in
their products. The Company currently relies on several independent
semiconductor foundries, including Intel, IBM, Philips, Texas Instruments and
others, to manufacture all of its ASICs. Through September 1998, the Company has
shipped approximately 25 million MSM ASICs to CDMA handset manufacturers
worldwide, including QPE. To date, a substantial portion of our ASICs sales have
been made to international customers, particularly in South Korea. See "Risk
Factors -- International Business."
The Company has entered into royalty-bearing license arrangements
with DSP Communications, LSI Logic Corporation, VSLI Technology and PrairieComm,
Inc. covering certain ASIC patents belonging to QUALCOMM. Pursuant to these
arrangements, such parties are licensed to manufacture and sell ASICs to
subscriber and infrastructure licensees of the Company. To date, most subscriber
and infrastructure licensees have chosen to
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<PAGE> 12
purchase their ASIC requirements from the Company to ensure timely access to
latest generation technology. Under the terms of their agreements, Motorola and
Lucent also have the right to manufacture and sell CDMA ASICs of their own
design to licensees.
The Company believes it has a significant advantage over other
existing and potential manufacturers of CDMA ASICs as the developer of its ASICs
chips. For example, the Company recently introduced its fifth generation ASIC
chipset for use in CDMA wireless handsets, featuring data rates greater than 64
kilobits per second ("Kbps"). This design supports both the 8 Kbps and 13 Kbps
QCELP, and 8 Kbps EVRC speech vocoders on a single chip for single chip
low-power dual-mode CDMA/analog wireless subscriber applications. This ASIC
simplifies design decisions and reduces the complexity of the final product
which provides an important advantage to the telephone manufacturer in terms of
size, cost and battery life. In addition, the Company provides ASICs for use in
QUALCOMM's and its licensees' base station equipment.
OmniTRACS
OmniTRACS provides satellite-based two-way data messaging and
position reporting services for transportation companies. The OmniTRACS system
was first introduced in the U.S. in 1988 and is currently operating in 33
countries. Through September 1998, the Company has sold over 250,000 OmniTRACS
systems worldwide. Message transmission and position tracking are provided by
use of leased Ku-band and C-band transponders on commercially available
geostationary earth orbit satellites. This architecture provides a single
network, eliminates the limited coverage and accuracy problems inherent in
land-based systems and allows dispatchers to remain in close contact with their
fleets at all times. The OmniTRACS system helps transportation companies improve
the rate of return on assets and increase efficiency and safety by improving
communications between drivers and dispatchers. System features include status
updates, load and pick-up reports, position reports at regular intervals and
vehicle and driving performance information.
The Company generates revenues from its OmniTRACS system in the U.S.
by manufacturing and selling OmniTRACS mobile terminals and related software
packages and by providing ongoing messaging and maintenance services. Customers
for U.S. operations include over 850 U.S. transportation companies, primarily in
the trucking industry. The Company has sold OmniTRACS products for use by
private trucking fleets, service vans, ships, trains; and federal emergency
vehicles, and for oil and gas pipeline control and monitoring sites. The Company
estimates the Network Management Facility currently processes over five million
messages and position reports per day. Message transmissions for U.S. operations
are formatted and processed at an Network Management Facility in San Diego,
California operated by QUALCOMM, with a fully capable backup Network Management
Facility located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Outside of the U.S., the Company works with telecommunications
companies and operators to establish OmniTRACS in foreign markets. The OmniTRACS
system is currently operating throughout Europe and the Middle East and in
Brazil, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia and South Korea.
Internationally, the Company generates revenues from the OmniTRACS system
through license fees, sales of network products and terminals, and service fees.
Messaging services are provided by service providers that operate network
management centers for a region under licenses granted by the Company.
On October 26, 1998, QUALCOMM announced the formation of QUALCOMM
Wireless Business Solutions of which OmniTRACS will be a key component. By
leveraging QUALCOMM's CDMA digital wireless technology and other complementary
technologies, the group's vision is to bring wireless data solutions to
businesses worldwide by developing new products and expanding into other
markets. While maintaining the Company's focus on the long-haul truckload
industry with the OmniTRACS and TruckMAIL product lines, this division will
develop new products targeted at other areas of freight transportation, as well
as other businesses with a need for mobile data.
GLOBALSTAR
In 1994, Loral Space and Communications, Ltd. and other companies
formed Globalstar to design, construct and operate a worldwide, low-Earth-orbit
("LEO") satellite system. Through a constellation of 48 satellites, this system
is being designed to connect with existing terrestrial telecommunications
systems to create a seamless global network, enabling users to call, fax and
send data to and from virtually any place in the world.
The Company has entered into a number of contracts involving the
Globalstar System which, in aggregate, provide for revenues to the Company of
approximately $1.3 billion over the life of such contracts. Through September
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<PAGE> 13
1998, the Company has recognized approximately $792 million in revenue
associated with these contracts. The Company's development agreement to design
and develop subscriber products and the ground communication stations of the
Globalstar System provides for revenue of up to approximately $870 million over
the life of the agreement. Under the agreement, the Company is reimbursed for
its development services on a cost-plus basis. In addition, in April 1997 the
Company was awarded a $275 million contract to manufacture and supply commercial
gateways for deployment in the Globalstar System. This multi-year agreement has
subsequently grown to $330 million and could grow to approximately $600 million
as the Globalstar System is built out. In March 1998 the Company
entered into a $125 million agreement with Globalstar to manufacture and supply
portable and fixed CDMA handsets, including accessories, that will operate on
the Globalstar System. The Company holds an approximate 6.5% interest in
Globalstar through certain limited partnerships. See "Risk Factors --
Globalstar."
In November 1998, the Company announced the formation of QUALCOMM
Wireless Systems Division, which combines its Wireless Infrastructure Division
and Communication Systems Division. The new division, which focuses on CDMA
infrastructure for mobile and fixed service and the satellite-based Globalstar
system, will leverage the technologies and common strengths of these businesses.
MICROSOFT CORPORATION JOINT VENTURE
On November 10, 1998, the Company and Microsoft Corporation
announced the formation of a broad strategic partnership to enable secure and
airlink-independent Internet access to all mobile users. The new joint venture,
WirelessKnowledge, will be an equally held company. WirelessKnowledge will be
accessible over all digital wireless wide area networks, including those based
on CDMA technology, TDMA/GSM, CDPD and Mobitex. WirelessKnowledge services will
enable carriers to offer their mobile customers wireless access to data and
applications securely over their choice of wireless networks and enterprise
systems. Commercial availability is slated for the first half of 1999, enabling
carriers to deliver valuable new services to their customers, regardless of
technology or device preference.
SPIN-OFF OF LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
On September 23, 1998 the Company completed the spin-off of its
joint venture and equity interests in several domestic and international
emerging terrestrial-based wireless telecommunications operating companies,
including Pegaso Telecomunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. ("Pegaso") (Mexico),
Metrosvyaz Limited (Russia), Orrengrove Investments Limited (Russia), ChileSat
Telefonia Personal, S.A. ("Chilesat PCS") (Chile), Chase Telecommunications,
Inc. ("Chase Telcom") (United States), OzPhone Pty. Ltd. (Australia) and certain
other development-stage businesses through a distribution to its stockholders of
all of the shares of Leap Wireless, a Delaware corporation. In addition,
QUALCOMM and Leap Wireless have agreed that, if certain events occur within 18
months after the distribution, QUALCOMM will transfer to Leap Wireless its
equity interest in and working capital loan from Telesystems of Ukraine ("TOU"),
a wireless operating company in Ukraine. The Company also transferred to Leap
Wireless $10 million cash and certain indebtedness of the operating companies
owed to the Company in the amount of approximately $113 million, approximately
$30.8 million of which is indebtedness under certain convertible notes, as well
as indebtedness related to certain miscellaneous assets. The aggregate net
tangible book value of the assets transferred by QUALCOMM to Leap Wireless in
connection with the distribution was approximately $258 million. In connection
with the distribution, Leap Wireless issued to the Company a warrant to purchase
5,500,000 shares of Leap Wireless common stock, equaling approximately 18% of
the fully diluted common stock of Leap Wireless at the time of the distribution.
QUALCOMM provided a secured credit facility to Leap Wireless
consisting of two sub-facilities. The first sub-facility enables Leap Wireless
to borrow up to $35.2 million from QUALCOMM, solely to meet the normal working
capital and operating expenses of Leap Wireless, including salaries, overhead,
and credit facility fees, but excluding, among other things, strategic capital
investments in wireless operators, substantial acquisitions of capital products,
and/or the acquisition of telecommunications licenses. The other sub-facility
enables Leap Wireless to borrow up to $229.8 million from QUALCOMM, solely to
use as investment capital to make certain identified portfolio investments.
Amounts borrowed under the credit facility will be due and payable approximately
eight years following September 23, 1998. The Company will have a first priority
security interest in, subject to minor exceptions, substantially all of the
assets of Leap Wireless for so long as any amounts are outstanding under the
credit facility. Amounts borrowed under the credit facility will bear interest
at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 5.25% per annum. Interest will be payable
quarterly beginning
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September 30, 2001; and prior to such time, accrued interest shall be added to
the principal amount outstanding. Further, Leap Wireless may identify additional
investment requirements or opportunities for which it needs funding and QUALCOMM
may choose to participate in such funding.
GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS
The Company performs a variety of work for the various departments
and agencies of the U.S. Government involving communication-related
technologies. The Company is currently under contract with the U.S. Government
to develop CDMA terrestrial secure phones and a net broadcast capability that
incorporate end-to-end encryption. Under the same contract, the Company is
providing the same capabilities with a preliminary design of a Globalstar secure
phone. Products from these, and future development efforts, would likely service
a wide range of U.S. Government and potential commercial applications. In
addition to the development efforts, QUALCOMM's commercial products, such as
CDMA infrastructure products and OmniTRACS units are being marketed and sold
worldwide for U.S. Government applications.
Future government business, leveraging off existing and new
technologies and products, continues to be an important element of the Company's
overall strategy. Therefore, QUALCOMM will continue its pursuit of a wide range
of opportunities within the U.S. Government where the Company's technologies can
provide beneficial solutions to existing and future government applications.
MANUFACTURING AND BACKLOG
QUALCOMM began high volume manufacturing of its CDMA subscriber and
infrastructure products in 1996 and has been manufacturing OmniTRACS terminals
in high volumes since 1988. In 1994 the Company formed QPE, a joint venture with
a subsidiary of Sony, to manufacture CDMA subscriber products and in fiscal 1996
began manufacturing and shipping significant volumes of CDMA subscriber
products. During fiscal 1997, production capabilities at QPE were significantly
expanded and the Company successfully made a transition to its new line of phone
models. As of September, 1998, the Company had shipped over 2,000 base stations
and related infrastructure products to wireless operations around the world. QPE
has the capacity to manufacture approximately 600,000 phones per month. QUALCOMM
maintains a 51% ownership in QPE. The Company commenced infrastructure products
production during fiscal 1996 and began shipping significant quantities of
infrastructure products to customer sites in the first half of fiscal 1997. In
January 1997, the Company commenced operations in a 177,000 square foot facility
in San Diego, California to expand its capacity to manufacture CDMA
infrastructure products.
The Company's backlog and supply contracts subject to contingencies
were approximately $2.0 billion at September 30, 1998 compared to $2.3 billion
at September 30, 1997. Included in these figures are all customer commitments to
purchase regardless of the scheduled delivery dates. Some of these contracts may
be canceled without significant penalty and, as a result, the total backlog and
supply contracts subject to contingencies may not be indicative of future
results.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The telecommunications industry is characterized by rapid
technological change, requiring a continuous effort to enhance existing products
and develop new products. The Company maintains a substantial program of
research and product development. Company-sponsored research and development
expenditures in fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 totaled approximately $349
million, $236 million and $162 million, respectively. Most of these expenditures
are related to our development of CDMA technology for wireless applications. The
Company intends to continue to maintain a substantial research and development
program and expects research and development expenses to increase in the future.
In addition to Company sponsored research and development, the Company performs
contract research and development for various commercial and government agencies
and contractors, including Globalstar.
COMPETITION
There is increasing competition in the wireless telecommunications
industry in the United States and throughout the world. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully or that new
technologies and products that are more commercially effective than the
Company's technologies and products will not be developed. Many of the Company's
prospective competitors have substantially greater financial, technical,
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marketing, sales and distribution resources than those of the Company. In
addition, many of these companies are licensees of the Company's technology, and
have established market positions, trade names, trademarks, patents, copyrights
and intellectual property rights and substantial technological capabilities.
Although the implementation of advanced telecommunications services is in its
early stages in many developing countries, the Company believes competition is
intensifying as businesses and foreign governments realize the market potential
of telecommunications services. Many of the Company's customers currently face
competition from existing telecommunication providers. A number of large
American and European companies and large international telecommunications
companies are actively engaged in programs to develop and commercialize
telecommunications services in both developing and developed countries. In many
cases, the Company also competes against the landline carriers, including
government-owned telephone companies. In some cases, the competition is from
government-controlled or government-supported entities that are, or may in the
future be, privatized or otherwise become more efficient and competitive. In
addition, the Company throughout the world may face competition with new
technologies and services introduced in the future. Although the Company intends
to employ relatively new technologies, there will be a continuing competitive
threat from even newer technologies that may render the technologies employed by
the Company obsolete. See "Risk Factors -- Rapid Technological Change." The
Company also expects that the price the Company charges for its products and
services in certain regions will decline over the next few years as competition
intensifies in its markets.
The Company faces additional competition in the development of next
generation digital wireless services. The Company supports a new CDMA based
standard that is compatible with existing GSM and cdmaOne systems. Other
industry participants are aggressively promoting the adoption of different
standards. There can be no assurance that our technology will be selected as the
standard for third generation digital wireless service technology or that our
current intellectual property will be applicable to such third generation
standards.
The Company also competes against its licensees in the manufacture
of CDMA subscriber, infrastructure and ASICs products. The Company is facing
increasing competition as more of its licensees introduce CDMA products. Many of
the Company's licencees have longer operating histories and a greater market
presence than the Company. Many of the major products suppliers have made
substantial investments in TDMA and GSM technology including Hughes, Lucent,
Motorola, Nokia, Nortel and Siemens, all of whom are licensees of the Company,
as well as Ericsson. Our competitors may devote a significantly greater amount
of their financial, technical, marketing and other resources to aggressively
market competitive communications systems or develop and adopt competitive
digital cellular technologies, and those efforts may have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
Moreover, certain products providers may offer more attractive product pricing
and/or financing terms than the Company as a means of gaining access to the
wireless markets.
Existing competitors of OmniTRACS are aggressively pricing their
products and services and could continue to do so in the future. In addition,
these competitors are offering new value-added products and services similar in
many cases to those developed or being developed by the Company. Emergence of
new competitors, particularly those offering low cost terrestrial-based products
and future LEO satellite-based systems, may impact margins and intensify
competition in new markets.
PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND TRADE SECRETS
The Company relies on a combination of patents, copyrights, trade
secrets, trademarks and proprietary information to maintain and enhance its
competitive position. The Company has been granted over 200 patents and has over
500 patent applications pending in the United States. The vast majority of such
patents and patent applications relate to our CDMA digital wireless technology
and the remainder of such patents and patent applications relate to our
OmniTRACS products. The Company also actively pursues patent protection in other
countries of interest to the Company. There can be no assurance that the pending
patent applications will be granted, that our patents or copyrights will provide
adequate protection, or that our competitors will not independently develop or
initiate technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our
technologies. In addition, while the Company believes that its intellectual
property rights regarding CDMA technology will be applicable to third generation
CDMA systems, there can be no assurance that such will be the case. There can
also be no assurance that the confidentiality agreements upon which the Company
relies to protect its trade secrets and proprietary information will be
adequate. The cost of defending our intellectual property has been and may
continue to be significant. From time to time, certain companies may assert
exclusive patent, copyright and other intellectual proprietary rights to
technologies which are claimed to be important to the industry or to the
Company. In addition, from time to time third parties provide the Company with
copies of their patents relating to spread spectrum and other digital wireless
technologies and offer licenses to such technologies, and the Company evaluates
such patents
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and the advisability of such licenses. If any of our products were
found to infringe on protected technology, the Company could be required to
redesign such products, license such technology, and/or pay damages to the
infringed party. If the Company is unable to license protected technology used
in our products or to redesign such products, the Company could be prohibited
from marketing such products.
Ericsson, Motorola and InterDigital have each advised the TIA that
they hold patent rights in technology embodied in IS-95. Lucent and OKI Electric
have claimed patent rights in IS-96. In accordance with TIA guidelines, each
company has confirmed to the TIA that it is willing to grant licenses under its
rights on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms. In connection with the
settlement and dismissal of our patent litigation with InterDigital, the Company
received, among other rights, a fully-paid, royalty free license to use and to
sublicense the use of those patents claimed by InterDigital to be essential to
IS-95. If the Company and other product manufacturers are required to obtain
additional licenses and/or pay royalties to one or more patent holders, this
could have a material adverse effect on the commercial implementation of our
CDMA technology.
The Company is currently engaged in patent and other infringement
litigation relating to our technology and products. See "Item 3--Legal
Proceedings."
EMPLOYEES
As of September 30, 1998, the Company employed approximately 11,600
full-time and temporary employees. None of the Company's employees is
represented by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company considers employee
relations to be good.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers of the Company and their ages as of
September 30, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Irwin Mark Jacobs.................................... 65 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Andrew J. Viterbi.................................... 63 Vice Chairman of the Board
Richard Sulpizio..................................... 48 President and Chief Operating Officer
Anthony S. Thornley.................................. 52 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Steven R. Altman..................................... 37 Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary and General Manager,
Technology Transfer and Strategic Alliances Division
Franklin P. Antonio.................................. 46 Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
John E. Major........................................ 52 Executive Vice President and President and Chief
Executive Officer of WirelessKnowledge
Gerald L. Beckwith................................... 50 Senior Vice President and President,
Wireless Systems Division
Paul E. Jacobs....................................... 35 Senior Vice President and President,
Consumer Products Division
Donald E. Schrock.................................... 53 Senior Vice President and President, ASIC
Products Division
John N. Dollard...................................... 44 Senior Vice President, Worldwide Manufacturing
and President, QPE
</TABLE>
IRWIN MARK JACOBS, one of the founders of the Company, has served as
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
since it began operations in July 1985. He also held the title of President
prior to May 1992. Before joining the Company, Dr. Jacobs was Executive Vice
President and a Director of M/A-COM, Inc., a telecommunications company. From
October 1968 to April 1985, Dr. Jacobs held various executive positions at
LINKABIT (M/A-COM LINKABIT after August 1980), a company he co-founded. During
most of his period of service with LINKABIT, he was Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer and was at all times a Director. Dr. Jacobs received his
B.E.E. degree from Cornell University and his M.S. and Sc.D.
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degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ("MIT"). Dr. Jacobs is a
member of the National Academy of Engineering and received the National Medal of
Technology in 1994.
ANDREW J. VITERBI, one of the founders of the Company, has served as
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors since it began operations in July 1985.
From July 1985 through July 1996 he also served as the Company's Chief Technical
Officer. From July 1983 to April 1985, Dr. Viterbi was Senior Vice President and
Chief Scientist of M/A-COM, Inc., a telecommunications company. From October
1968 to April 1985, Dr. Viterbi held various executive positions at LINKABIT
(M/A-COM LINKABIT after August 1980), a company he co-founded, and served as
President of the M/A-COM LINKABIT subsidiary of M/A-COM, Inc. During most of his
period of service with LINKABIT, he was Vice-Chairman and was at all times a
Director. Dr. Viterbi received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical
Engineering from MIT and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Southern
California. He is a member of both the National Academy of Engineering and the
National Academy of Sciences. In addition he is currently a member of the
President's Information Technology Advisory Committee.
RICHARD SULPIZIO currently serves as the Company's President and
Chief Operating Officer. He has held the position of President since July 1998
and the position of Chief Operating Officer since August 1995. He served as
President of the Company's OmniTRACS division from February 1994 to August 1995.
He previously held the Chief Operating Officer title from May 1992 to February
1994. He joined the Company in May 1991 as Vice President, Information Systems
and was promoted to Senior Vice President in September 1991. Prior to joining
the Company, Mr. Sulpizio held various positions with Unisys Corporation, a
diversified computer and electronics company, including manager of MIS and
Director of Program Management and most recently as Vice President and General
Manager of the Component Engineering and Procurement Division. Mr. Sulpizio
holds a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts from California State University, Los
Angeles and a Masters degree in Systems Management from the University of
Southern California.
ANTHONY S. THORNLEY joined the Company as Vice President of Finance
and Chief Financial Officer in March 1994, was promoted to Senior Vice President
in February 1996 and was promoted to Executive Vice President in November 1997.
Prior to that, Mr. Thornley was with Nortel, a telecommunications products
manufacturer, for 16 years in various financial and information systems
management positions, including: Vice President, Public Networks; Vice
President: Finance NT World Trade; and Corporate Controller, Nortel Limited. He
has also worked for Coopers and Lybrand and is a Fellow of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Mr. Thornley received his B.S.
degree in Chemistry from the University of Manchester, England.
STEVEN R. ALTMAN has served as General Counsel since joining the
Company in October 1989. He was named Vice President in December 1992, was
promoted to Senior Vice President in February 1996 and was promoted to Executive
Vice President in November 1997. He was also named General Manager, Technology
Transfer and Strategic Alliances Division in September 1995. Prior to joining
the Company, Mr. Altman was a business lawyer in the San Diego law firm of Gray
Cary Ware & Freidenrich, where he specialized in intellectual property, mergers
and acquisitions, securities and general corporate matters. Mr. Altman received
a B.S. degree from Northern Arizona University and a Juris Doctorate from the
University of San Diego.
FRANKLIN P. ANTONIO, one of the founders of the Company, has served
as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Company since
July 1996, as Senior Vice President of Engineering from September 1992 to July
1996, and as Vice President of Engineering from August 1985 to
September 1992. He served as a Director of the Company from August 1985 until
February 1989. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Antonio was Assistant Vice
President of Engineering of M/A-COM LINKABIT where he held various technical and
management positions from May 1972 through July 1985. Mr. Antonio received his
B.A. degree in Applied Physics and Information Science from the University of
California, San Diego.
JOHN E. MAJOR currently serves as an Executive Vice President of the
Company and in November 1998 was named President and Chief Executive Officer of
the newly formed WirelessKnowledge, a Microsoft and Qualcomm joint venture. He
has also served as President of the Company's Infrastructure Product Division
since joining the Company in May 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Major
served most recently as Senior Vice President and Staff Chief Technical Officer
at Motorola. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President and General
Manager for Motorola's Worldwide Systems Group of the Land Mobile Products
Sector. Mr. Major currently serves on the Board of Directors' Executive
Committee for the Telecommunications Industry Association ("TIA") and is
Vice-Chair for the Electronics Industry Association ("EIA"). He has served as
the Chairman of the EIA since January of 1998. He also serves on the Boards of
the Littlefuse Corporation and Lennox Corporation. He serves on the Visitor's
Board for the Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie Mellon and the Computer
Science and
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<PAGE> 18
Telecommunications Board for the National Academy of Science. Additionally, he
is on the Trustee's Council for the University of Rochester. Mr. Major holds a
B.S. degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of
Rochester, and an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of
Illinois. He also holds an M.B.A. degree, with distinction, from Northwestern
University and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University. Mr. Major received an
honorary doctorate from Westminster College in May, 1995.
GERALD L. BECKWITH, a Senior Vice President of the Company assumed
responsibility for the newly formed QUALCOMM Wireless Systems Division in
November 1998 which combined its Wireless Infrastructure Division and
Communications System Division. He has also served as President of the Company's
Communications Systems Division since September 1994. He served as Vice
President and General Manager, Communications Systems Division from June 1991 to
September 1994. Mr. Beckwith joined the Company in 1987 as Program Manager for
the development of OmniTRACS, and was appointed Vice President of Commercial
Programs in 1990. Prior to joining QUALCOMM, Mr. Beckwith held various positions
at LINKABIT. Mr. Beckwith received his Bachelor and Masters degrees in
Electrical Engineering from San Diego State University.
PAUL E. JACOBS, a Senior Vice President of the Company, was named
Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Products Division in April 1995 and
was promoted to President, Consumer Products Division in February 1997. He
joined the Company in September 1990 as Senior Engineer and was promoted to
Engineering Director in April 1993. Dr. Jacobs' previous experience includes
positions as Post Doctoral Researcher at Laboratoire d'Automatique et d'Analyse
des Systemes, Toulouse, France. Dr. Jacobs holds a B.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering and Computer Science, M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and
Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University
of California, Berkeley. Dr. Paul Jacobs is the son of Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs,
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.
DONALD E. SCHROCK, a Senior Vice President of the Company, was also
named President, ASIC Products Division in September 1997. He joined the Company
in January 1996 as Corporate Vice President, in June 1996 was promoted to
General Manager, ASIC Products Division and in February 1997 was named Senior
Vice President. Prior to joining the Company, he was Group Vice President and
Division Manager with Hughes Aircraft Company. Prior to his employment with
Hughes, Mr. Schrock was Vice President of Operations with Applied Micro Circuit
Corporation. Mr. Schrock has also held positions as Vice President/Division
General Manager at Burr-Brown Corporation and spent 15 years with Motorola
Semiconductor. Mr. Schrock holds a B.S.E.E. with Honors from the University of
Illinois, as well as a M.S.E.E. and Advanced Business Administration from
Arizona State University.
JOHN N. DOLLARD, joined the Company in April 1997 as Senior Vice
President of Subscriber Manufacturing Operations and in December 1997 was named
Senior Vice President of Worldwide Manufacturing and President of Qualcomm
Personal Electronics. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Dollard was Vice
President and General Manager of the Americas Manufacturing Operations for
Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. since 1987. Mr. Dollard holds an
M.B.A. degree from Central Michigan University, Graduate School of Business and
a B.A. degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Loras College.
RISK FACTORS
This Risk Factor section is written to be responsive to the Security
and Exchange Commission's recently enacted "Plain English" guidelines. In the
Risk Factors section and elsewhere in this document, the words "we", "our",
"ours", and "us" refer only to QUALCOMM Incorporated and not any other person.
Uncertainty and Fluctuations of Operating Results
Although we have experienced an increase in both revenues and
profitability over the last several years, we have experienced and may continue
to experience quarterly variability in operating results. As a result, we cannot
assure you that we will be able to sustain profitability on a quarterly or
annual basis in the future. Our future results will depend in part on the
following factors:
- - the continued successful implementation of CDMA technology and products;
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<PAGE> 19
- - our ability to successfully manufacture, market and/or sell
commercial-scale quantities of CDMA infrastructure and subscriber
products, ASICs and other products on a timely and profitable basis both
domestically and in international markets;
- - the timing of introduction of products or product enhancements by us or
our competitors;
- - the timing and magnitude of CDMA licensing fees and royalties;
- - currency and economic fluctuations in foreign markets and other factors
affecting our international sales;
- - bad debt provisions and/or our inability to recognize revenues associated
with our vendor financing programs;
- - our recognition of start-up operating losses, impairment charges and/or
the inability to recognize revenues and earnings associated with our
investments in emerging wireless telecommunications operating companies;
- - our ability to meet any applicable performance guarantees;
- - the continued success of OmniTRACS; and
- - the continuation of the Globalstar development and production contracts.
Ability to Manage Growth
We have experienced and continue to experience rapid domestic and
international growth that has placed, and is expected to continue to place
significant demands on our managerial, operational and financial resources. In
order to manage this growth, we have continued to improve and expand our
management, operational and financial systems and controls, including quality
control and delivery and service capabilities, and will need to continue to do
so. We will also need to continue to expand, train and manage our employee base.
In particular, we must carefully manage production and inventory levels to meet
product demand, new product introductions and product transitions. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to timely and effectively meet such demand and
maintain the quality standards required by our existing and potential customers.
In addition, inaccuracies in our demand forecasts could quickly
result in either insufficient or excessive inventories and disproportionate
overhead expenses. Our international expansion plans will require us to
establish, manage and control operations in countries where we have limited or
no operating experience. Our experience in the expansion of production
facilities and capacity is also limited. In order to accommodate planned growth,
we expect that our operating expenses will continue to increase. We cannot
assure you that our revenues will grow faster than our expenses. We must also
continue to hire and retain qualified technical, engineering and other personnel
in the face of strong demand from our competitors and others for such
individuals. If we ineffectively manage our growth or are unsuccessful in
recruiting and retaining personnel, this could have a material adverse effect on
our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
Manufacturing of CDMA Products
The manufacture of wireless communications products is a complex and
precise process involving specialized manufacturing and testing equipment and
processes. Demand for, and our revenues from, CDMA wireless communications
infrastructure and subscriber products increased substantially during fiscal
1998. Our manufacturing capacity is a critical element in meeting this demand.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively meet customer demand in
a timely manner. Factors that could materially and adversely affect our ability
to meet production demand include defects or impurities in the components or
materials used, delays in the delivery of such components or materials, or
equipment failures or other difficulties. We may experience component failures
or defects which could require significant product recalls, reworks and/or
repairs which are not covered by warranty reserves and which could consume a
substantial portion of our manufacturing capacity.
In addition, we cannot assure you that our foreign manufacturing
facilities will be commercially successful given that we will be required to
establish, manage and control operations in countries where we have limited or
no operating experience. Additionally, our business, results of operations,
liquidity and financial position could be materially and adversely affected if
we are unable to manufacture CDMA subscriber and infrastructure products at
15
<PAGE> 20
commercially acceptable costs and achieve acceptable yields. We also will be
impacted negatively if we expand our manufacturing capacity but are unable to
secure sufficient orders for our CDMA products.
We primarily manufacture our CDMA subscriber products through QPE, a
majority-owned joint venture between us and a subsidiary of Sony Electronics,
Inc. The risks associated with the commercial manufacture of our infrastructure
and subscriber products that we describe in this document also apply to the
manufacture of subscriber products by QPE. Our business, results of operations,
liquidity and financial position could be materially and adversely affected to
the extent that QPE experiences any of the complications, delays or
interruptions that we have described in this document.
Competition
There is increasing competition in the wireless telecommunications
industry in the United States and throughout the world. We cannot assure you
that we will be able to successfully compete or that our competitors will not
develop new technologies and products that are more commercially effective than
our own. Many of our competitors have financial, technical, marketing, sales,
and distribution resources greater than ours. In addition, many of these
companies are licensees of our technology and have established market positions,
trade names, trademarks, patents, copyrights, intellectual property rights and
substantial technological capabilities.
Although the implementation of advanced telecommunications services
is in its early stages in many developing countries, we believe competition is
intensifying as businesses and foreign governments realize the market potential
of telecommunications services. Many of our customers currently face competition
from existing telecommunication providers. A number of large American and
European companies and large international telecommunications companies are
actively engaged in programs to develop and commercialize telecommunications
services in both developing and developed countries. In many cases, we also
compete against the landline carriers, including government-owned telephone
companies. In some cases, our competition is from government-controlled or
government-supported entities that are, or may in the future be, privatized or
otherwise become more efficient and competitive. In addition, throughout the
world we may face competition with new technologies and services introduced in
the future. Although we intend to employ relatively new technologies, there will
be a continuing competitive threat from even newer technologies that may render
the technologies employed by us obsolete. See "- Rapid Technological Change
and New Products." We also expect that the price we charge for our products and
services in certain regions will decline as competition intensifies in those
markets.
We also compete in the manufacture of CDMA infrastructure and
subscriber products and in the development and design of ASICs. We are facing
increasing competition as more of our licensees introduce CDMA products. Many of
our licensees have longer operating histories and a greater market presence than
ours. Many of the major equipment suppliers have made substantial investments in
TDMA and GSM technology including Hughes, Lucent, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel and
Siemens, all of whom are our licensees, as well as Ericsson. We have entered
into royalty-bearing license arrangements covering certain ASIC patents
belonging to us. Pursuant to these arrangements, licensees such as DSP
Communications, LSI Logic Corporation, VLSI Technology and PrairieComm, Inc. are
licensed to manufacture and sell ASICs to subscriber and infrastructure
licensees of the Company. Our competitors may devote a significantly greater
amount of their financial, technical, marketing and other resources to
aggressively market competitive communications systems or develop and adopt
competitive digital cellular technologies. Likewise, those efforts may
materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, liquidity and
financial position. Moreover, certain equipment providers may offer more
competitive pricing and/or financing terms than we do as a means of gaining
access to the wireless markets.
Existing competitors of OmniTRACS are aggressively pricing their
products and services and could continue to do so in the future. In addition,
these competitors are offering new value-added products and services similar in
many cases to those we developed or are developing. Emergence of new
competitors, particularly those offering low cost terrestrial-based products and
current as well as future low-Earth-orbiting ("LEO") satellite-based systems,
may impact margins and intensify competition in new markets.
International Business
A significant part of our strategy involves our current and planned
activities in a number of developing nations. We intend to continue to pursue
growth opportunities in international markets. In many international markets,
barriers to entry are created by long-standing relationships between our
potential customers and their local providers and protective regulations,
including local content and service requirements. In addition, our pursuit of
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<PAGE> 21
such international growth opportunities may require significant investments for
an extended period before we realize returns, if any, on our investments. Our
projects and investments could be adversely affected by:
- - reversals or delays in the opening of foreign markets to new competitors;
- - unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
- - export controls, tariffs and other barriers;
- - exchange controls;
- - currency fluctuations;
- - investment policies;
- - nationalization, expropriation and limitations on repatriation of cash;
- - social and political risks;
- - taxation; and
- - other factors, depending on the country in which such opportunity arises.
Our revenues from international customers as a percentage of total
revenues were approximately as follows in each of the years presented:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR % OF TOTAL REVENUES
<S> <C>
1995 20%
1996 36%
1997 30%
1998 34%
</TABLE>
In addition to the general risks associated with our international
sales and operations, we will also be subject to risks specific to the
individual countries in which we do business.
The financial problems in Asia have been significant and have
impacted international financial markets. We cannot guarantee that the Asian
markets will not continue to deteriorate. Continued market deterioration could
have a substantial adverse impact on our ability to collect our receivables from
Asian customers. We have significant sales to Asian countries with the largest
concentration to Korean customers. At September 1998, Korean customer
receivables generally were in accordance with agreed payment terms.
The Russian economic and political environments recently have
experienced severe volatility. Further, our CDMA products have not yet been
approved in Russia for mobility applications. Any or all of these factors could
negatively impact our prospects in Russia and could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
We currently have approximately $19 million in Russian/Ukrainian receivables. We
have an additional $30 million in products and deployment services placed with
carriers for which we have not yet recognized revenues. We cannot guarantee that
these carriers will have sufficient resources to complete their planned
projects. The failure of any of these emerging service carriers to obtain
sufficient financing to meet their regulatory obligations could adversely affect
the value of our receivables and inventories residing with these customers.
Economies in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Ukraine also have
been volatile and we do not know the extent to which these economies will
continue to be negatively impacted by world economic events. Mexico and Ukraine
have also been subject to much political instability. These conditions could
have a negative impact on our prospects in these countries.
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<PAGE> 22
Currency Fluctuations
We are exposed to risk from fluctuations in foreign currency and
interest rates, which could impact our results of operations and financial
condition. Our financing of products and services is generally denominated in
dollars and any significant change in the value of the dollar against the
national currency where we are lending could result in the increase of costs to
the debtors and could restrict the debtors from fulfilling their contractual
obligations. Any devaluation in the local currency relative to the currencies in
which such liabilities are payable could have a material adverse effect on our
business. In some developing countries, including Chile, Mexico, Brazil, and
Russia, significant currency devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar have
occurred and may occur again in the future. In such circumstances, we may
experience economic loss with respect to the collectability of our receivables
and the recoverability of inventories and investments.
We attempt to hedge transactions with non-U.S. customers. However,
the decline in value of the Asia/Pacific currencies, or declines in currency
values in other regions, may, if not reversed, adversely affect our future
product sales. This is because our products may become more expensive to
purchase for local customers doing business in the countries of the affected
currencies. We have been adversely affected by the Asian economic downturn in
fiscal 1998 with regard to ASICs sales, CDMA royalties and the cancellation of a
CDMA handset supply agreement in South Korea. In addition, certain of our
customers in these foreign countries have encountered or may in the future
encounter financial difficulties resulting from such foreign currency
fluctuations. These financial difficulties could restrict our customers' ability
to fulfill their contractual obligations to us.
Dependence on Product Sales and Key Customers
We are a major supplier of CDMA infrastructure, subscriber and ASICs
products for wireless and satellite service providers. In order to generate
revenues and profits from sales of infrastructure, subscriber and ASICs
products, we must continue to make substantial investments and technological
innovations, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Other
digital wireless technologies, particularly GSM, to date have been more widely
adopted than CDMA and we cannot assure you that wireless service providers will
select CDMA for their networks. Further, there are numerous companies that
supply CDMA infrastructure, subscriber and ASICs products. Many of these
companies have substantially greater resources, much longer manufacturing
histories and more established reputations than we do.
Sales of infrastructure and subscriber products internationally are
subject to the various risks associated with doing business outside of the
United States. See "-International Business." As a result, subject to the
success of international wireless operators, our ability to generate substantial
revenues and profits from international sales of CDMA infrastructure and
subscriber products is uncertain.
Many wireless operators to which we may consider selling are
start-up entities attempting to provide service to markets where current
penetration of wireless service is low and acceptance is uncertain. In addition,
these start-up entities are subject to all the risks inherent in the operation
of a new business, including the ability to obtain adequate financing, manage
growth, attract and retain qualified personnel and secure appropriate
third-party manufacturing and marketing support.
A significant portion of our CDMA subscriber, infrastructure and
ASICs product sales is, and is expected to continue to be, concentrated with a
limited number of customers. As a result, our performance will depend on
relatively large orders from a limited number of customers. Our performance will
also depend on our ability to gain additional customers within existing and new
wireless and satellite markets. Our loss of any existing customer or our failure
to gain additional customers could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
Certain of our contracts provide for performance guarantees to
protect customers against late delivery of our products or a failure to perform.
These performance guarantees generally provide for monetary payments or contract
offsets that accrue at a daily rate based on percentages of the contract value
to the extent the products are not delivered by scheduled delivery dates or the
systems fail to meet specified performance criteria by such dates. We are
dependent in part on the performance of our suppliers and strategic partners to
provide products that are the subject of the guarantees. Thus, our ability to
deliver such products in a timely manner may be outside of our control. If we
are unable to meet our performance obligations, the performance guarantees could
amount to a significant portion of the contract value and would have a material
adverse effect on product margins and our business, results of operations,
liquidity and financial position.
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<PAGE> 23
Vendor Financing
Domestic and international wireless and satellite network operators increasingly
have required their equipment suppliers to arrange or provide long-term
financing as a condition to obtaining or bidding on infrastructure projects.
Competition among infrastructure product providers is intense. In order for us
to compete effectively we must provide significant financing for our
infrastructure products customers worldwide. We currently have vendor financing
obligations with a majority of our infrastructure customers, including
substantial commitments to Sprint PCS (through Nortel), Globalstar, Chase
Telecom, Chilesat Telefonia Personal S.A. ("Chilesat PCS") and Pegaso
Telecomunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. ("Pegaso"). In order to provide for such
financing, we likely will be subject to significant project, market, political,
credit and foreign exchange risks. The amount of vendor financing that we
currently are providing and that we expect to provide in the future is
substantial. Unfunded commitments to extend long-term financing under sales
arrangements at September 30, 1998 aggregated approximately $499 million through
fiscal 2002. Such commitments are subject to the customers meeting certain
conditions established in the financing arrangements. Commitments represent the
estimated amounts to be financed under these arrangements. Actual financing may
be in lesser or greater amounts.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to arrange or provide such
financing on terms and conditions and in amounts that will be satisfactory to
our customers. Most of our competitors have substantially greater resources than
we do. These resources may enable them to compete against us for infrastructure
projects by offering more favorable pricing and/or financing terms. Further, our
ability to provide vendor financing is dependent on our ability to raise outside
capital. If we are unable to arrange or provide such financing or to
successfully compete for infrastructure projects, our business, results of
operations, liquidity and financial position could be materially and adversely
affected.
To the extent vendor financing is not repaid to us, it could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity and
financial position. We have limited experience evaluating the creditworthiness
or commercial viability of potential purchasers of CDMA products. As a result,
we cannot assure you that our customers will not default on any financing
arranged or provided by us for the purchase of our CDMA products and services.
Many domestic and international wireless network operators to whom
we may provide vendor financing have limited or no operating histories, are
faced with significant capital requirements, are highly leveraged and have
limited financial resources. Due to currency fluctuations and international
risks, foreign infrastructure customers utilizing our vendor financing programs
may become unable to pay those debts from revenues generated from their
infrastructure projects that are denominated in local currency. Further, we may
not be permitted to retain a security interest in any licenses held by foreign
wireless operators. These licenses initially may constitute the primary asset of
many licensees.
The amounts that we finance may also include "soft costs" (such as
software, cell site leases and permits). Thus, the total amount we finance may
exceed 100% of infrastructure product costs. We may provide such financing
directly to licensees, and/or guarantee such financing through third-party
lenders. We may provide extensions of credit, or remain obligated under
guarantees, until maturity, which could materially and adversely affect our
credit rating. Although we may seek to have third-parties assume some or all of
any such credit arrangements, we can not assure you that we will be able to do
so.
Rapid Technological Change and New Products
The market for our products is characterized by many factors,
including:
- - rapid technological advances and evolving industry standards;
- - changes in customer requirements;
- - frequent new products and enhancements; and
- - evolving methods of building and operating communications systems.
The introduction of products embodying new technologies and the
emergence of new industry standards could render our existing products, and
products currently under development, obsolete and unmarketable. In
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<PAGE> 24
particular, we have limited experience in high-volume manufacturing techniques
and rapid product cycles inherent in the subscriber products business.
Our future success will depend on our ability to continue to develop
and introduce new products and product enhancements on a timely basis. Our
future success will also depend on our ability to keep pace with technological
developments, satisfy varying customer requirements and achieve market
acceptance. If we fail to anticipate or respond adequately to technological
developments or customer requirements, or experience any significant delays in
product development, introduction or shipment of our products in commercial
quantities, our competitive position could be damaged. This could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity and
financial position. In addition, new technological innovations generally require
a substantial investment before they are commercially viable.
Evolving Third Generation Standards
Industry participants and the International Telecommunications Union
("ITU") are currently considering a variety of standards which may be utilized
in third generation wireless networks. We are advocating the standardization of
a single, converged CDMA-based third generation standard that accommodates
equally the dominant network standards in use today. We cannot assure you that
that we will be successful in promoting the adoption of a single CDMA standard
or that such a standard, if adopted, will be compatible with today's cdmaOne
networks. We believe that our CDMA patent portfolio is applicable to other CDMA
systems that have been proposed as third generation standards. We have informed
standards bodies and the ITU that we hold essential intellectual property rights
for several other third generation proposals based on CDMA. Further, we intend
to vigorously enforce and protect our intellectual property position against any
infringement. However, we cannot assure you that our CDMA patents will be
determined to be applicable to any proposed standard or that we will be able to
redesign our products on a cost-effective and timely basis to incorporate next
generation wireless technology. If the wireless industry adopts next generation
standards which are incompatible with cdmaOne or determines not to rely on our
intellectual property, this could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
Future Capital Needs
The design, development, manufacture and marketing of digital
wireless communication products and services are highly capital intensive. In
addition, wireless and satellite systems operators increasingly have required
suppliers like us to arrange or provide long-term financing or provide equity to
them as a condition to obtaining or bidding on infrastructure projects. In
particular we have substantial funding requirements to Leap Wireless. We believe
we will be required to raise additional funds from a combination of sources
including potential debt or equity issuances. We cannot assure you that
additional financing will be available on reasonable terms or at all. In
addition, our credit facility, places restrictions on our ability to incur
additional indebtedness which could adversely affect our ability to raise
additional capital through debt financing.
Obligations to Leap Wireless
In connection with our recent spin-off and distribution to our
stockholders of Leap Wireless common stock, we made a substantial funding
commitment to Leap Wireless in the form of a $265.0 million secured credit
facility. Amounts borrowed under the credit facility will be due and payable
approximately eight years following September 23, 1998. We cannot assure you
that Leap Wireless will be able to meet its payment obligations to us. If Leap
Wireless is unable to meet its payment obligations to us, our business, results
of operations, liquidity and financial position may be materially adversely
affected. Further, Leap Wireless may identify additional investment requirements
or opportunities for which it needs funding and we may choose to participate in
such funding. See "-Future Capital Needs."
We and Leap Wireless have also agreed that, if certain events occur
within 18 months after the distribution, our equity interest in Telesystems of
Ukraine ("TOU") and certain other assets will be transferred to Leap Wireless.
We cannot assure you that such events will occur or that legal impediments to
transfer will be removed, or that our interest in TOU will ever be transferred
to Leap Wireless. Until such time as the transfer is effected, if ever, we will
continue to recognize the losses of TOU and restrict revenue recognition of
product sales to TOU which may materially adversely affect our business, results
of operations, liquidity and financial position.
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<PAGE> 25
Patents and Proprietary Information
We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trade secrets,
trademarks and proprietary information to maintain and enhance our competitive
position. We have been granted over 200 patents and have over 500 patent
applications pending in the U.S. The vast majority of such patents and patent
applications relate to our CDMA digital wireless technology and the remainder of
such patents and patent applications relate to our OmniTRACS products. We also
actively pursue patent protection in other countries of interest to us. We
cannot assure you that the pending patent applications will be granted or that
our patents or copyrights will provide adequate protection.
We believe that our intellectual property rights regarding CDMA
technology are applicable to third generation CDMA systems. We have also
informed appropriate standards bodies that we believe proposed standards require
our intellectual property. Further, we intend to vigorously enforce and protect
our intellectual property position against any infringement. However, we cannot
assure you that our CDMA patents will be determined to be applicable to any
proposed standard. Neither can we assure you that the confidentiality agreements
upon which we rely to protect our trade secrets and proprietary information will
be adequate. The cost of defending our intellectual property has been and may
continue to be significant.
From time to time, certain companies may assert exclusive patent,
copyright and other intellectual proprietary rights to technologies that are
claimed to be important to the industry or to us. In addition, from time to time
third parties provide us with copies of their patents relating to spread
spectrum and other digital wireless technologies and offer licenses to such
technologies. We in turn evaluate such patents and the advisability of obtaining
such licenses. If any of our products were found to infringe on protected
technology, we could be required to redesign such products, license such
technology, and/or pay damages to the infringed party. If we are unable to
license protected technology used in our products or if we were required to
redesign such products, we could be prohibited from marketing such products.
Ericsson, Motorola and InterDigital have each advised the TIA that
they hold patent rights in technology embodied in IS-95. Lucent and OKI Electric
have claimed patent rights in IS-96. In accordance with TIA guidelines, each
company has confirmed to the TIA that it is willing to grant licenses under its
rights on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms. In connection with the
settlement and dismissal of our patent litigation with InterDigital, we
received, among other rights, a fully-paid, royalty free license to use and to
sublicense the use of those patents claimed by InterDigital to be essential to
IS-95. If we and other product manufacturers are required to obtain additional
licenses and/or pay royalties to one or more patent holders, this could have a
material adverse effect on the commercial implementation of our CDMA technology.
We are currently engaged in patent and other infringement litigation
relating to our technology and products. See "Item 3--Legal Proceedings."
Globalstar
The value of our investment in and future business with Globalstar,
as well as our ability to collect outstanding receivables from Globalstar,
depends on the success of Globalstar and the Globalstar System. Globalstar is a
development stage company and has no operating history. From its inception,
Globalstar has incurred net losses and we expect losses to continue at least
until commercial operations of the Globalstar System commence, which is expected
to be in calendar 1999. A substantial shortfall in meeting Globalstar's capital
needs could prevent completion of the Globalstar System and could materially and
adversely affect our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial
position. In addition, Globalstar can terminate its development agreement with
us if Globalstar abandons its efforts to develop the Globalstar System. We
cannot assure you that Globalstar will grow into a commercially successful
enterprise. Globalstar's failure to become commercially successful could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity and
financial position.
The Globalstar System is exposed to the risks inherent in a
large-scale complex telecommunications system employing advanced technologies
which have never been integrated in a single system for commercial use. The
failure to develop, produce and implement the system, or any of its diverse and
dispersed elements as required, could delay the in-service or full constellation
date of the Globalstar System or render it unable to perform at levels required
for commercial success. Globalstar may encounter various problems, delays and
expenses, many of which may be beyond Globalstar's control.
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<PAGE> 26
In September 1998, Globalstar had a launch failure in which 12
satellites were destroyed. Globalstar has stated that it has sufficient spare
satellites to complete its 48 satellite constellation and that this launch
failure was insured. Globalstar is assessing its options relating to its future
launch schedule and still intends to initiate commercial service before the end
of 1999.
Dependence on Suppliers
The products and services we provide are complex and highly
technical in their nature. Accordingly, we rely on the ability of our suppliers
to provide critical parts and sub assemblies that meet our specifications, in a
timely manner. From time to time we have experienced delays in obtaining
services and quantities of specification compliant radio frequency components,
plastics, connectors and other parts to meet demand for our products.
Several of the critical products and services used in our existing
and proposed products, including ASICs, flash memory chips, radio frequency
components and certain custom and semi-custom very large scale integrated
("VLSI") circuits, other sophisticated electronic parts and major subassemblies
used in the OmniTRACS system, are currently available only from single or
limited sources. Our reliance and the reliance of our licensees on sole or
limited source vendors licensees involves risks. These risks include possible
shortages of certain key components, product performance shortfalls, and reduced
control over delivery schedules, manufacturing capability, quality and costs.
Our manufacturing activities may continue to expand internationally.
In certain cases we will be required to identify new local sources, due in part
to foreign regulations governing product content, to supply our international
manufacturing operations. The risks inherent in our ability to locate alternate
suppliers will be complicated by our inexperience in product manufacturing in
those countries. Business disruptions or financial difficulties of a sole or
limited source supplier of any particular component could materially and
adversely impact our operations by increasing the cost of goods sold or reducing
the availability of such components. While we believe that we could obtain
necessary components from other manufacturers, an unanticipated change in the
source of supply of these components could result in significant shipment delays
for our products. These delays could result in us being required to make
performance guarantee payments.
Certain components require an order lead time of six months or
longer. To meet forecasted production levels, we may be required to commit to
certain long lead time items prior to being awarded a production contract. If
forecasted orders are not received, we may be faced with large inventories of
slow moving or unusable parts. This could result in an adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
Reliance on Satellite and Other Facilities for OmniTRACS Service
Our OmniTRACS system currently operates in the U.S. market on leased
Ku-band satellite transponders. Our data satellite transponder and position
reporting satellite transponder lease runs through 2001. System enhancements
currently under initial deployment should allow for increased utilization of
transponder capacity. Based on results of the system enhancements, we believe
that the U.S. OmniTRACS operations may not require additional transponder
capacity in fiscal 1999. We believe that in the event additional transponder
capacity would be required in fiscal 1999 or in future years, additional
capacity will be available on acceptable terms. However, we cannot assure you
that we will be able to acquire additional transponder capacity on acceptable
terms on a timely basis. If we fail to maintain adequate satellite capacity this
would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations,
liquidity and financial position. Our Network Management Facility operations are
subject to the risk that a failure or natural disaster could interrupt the
OmniTRACS service and have a material adverse effect on OmniTRACS' results of
operations. We maintain a fully operational Network Management Facility in Las
Vegas, Nevada as a backup to our primary Network Management Facility in San
Diego, California.
Inflation and Deflation
Inflation has had and may continue to have adverse effects on the
economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries and could
have adverse effects on our customers and their start-up projects in those
countries, including their ability to obtain financing. Brazil, Chile, Mexico,
Russia and Ukraine, for example, have periodically experienced relatively high
rates of inflation. In addition, we believe risks associated with deflation have
recently increased, particularly given recent deflation in certain parts of
Asia. Significant inflation or deflation could have a material adverse effect on
our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
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<PAGE> 27
Government Regulation
Our products are subject to various Federal Communications
Commission regulations in the U.S. These regulations require that our products
meet certain radio frequency emission standards and not cause unallowable
interference to other services. We are also subject to government regulations
and requirements by local and international standards bodies outside the U.S.,
where we are less prominent than local competitors and have less opportunity to
participate in the establishment of regulatory and standards policies. Changes
in the regulation of our activities, including changes in the allocation of
available spectrum by the U.S. Government and other governments, or exclusion of
its technology by a standards body, could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position. We are also
subject to state and federal health, safety and environmental regulations, as
well as regulations related to the handling of and access to classified
information.
Reliance on Key Personnel
Our success depends in large part upon our ability to retain highly
qualified technical and management personnel. The loss of one or more of these
employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, liquidity and financial position. None of these individuals has an
employment contract with us. Our success also depends upon our ability to
continue to attract and retain highly qualified personnel in all disciplines. We
cannot assure you that we will be successful in hiring or retaining requisite
personnel.
Product Liability
Testing, manufacturing, marketing and use of our products entail the
risk of product liability. While we currently have product liability insurance
that we believe is adequate to protect against product liability claims, you
cannot be sure that we will be able to continue to maintain such insurance at a
reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses due to
product liability. Our inability to maintain insurance at an acceptable cost or
to otherwise protect against potential product liability could prevent or
inhibit the commercialization of our products. In addition, a product liability
claim or recall could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, liquidity and financial position.
News reports have asserted that power levels associated with
hand-held cellular telephones may pose certain health risks. We are not aware of
any study that has concluded that there are any significant health risks from
using hand-held cellular telephones. If it were determined that electromagnetic
waves carried through the antennas of cellular telephones create a significant
health risk, there could be a material adverse effect on our ability to market
and sell our wireless telephone products. In addition, there may also be certain
safety risks associated with the use of hand-held cellular phones while driving.
This could also have a material adverse effect on our ability to market and sell
our wireless telephones.
Year 2000 Issue
We believe that our mission critical systems will be Year 2000
compliant by September 1999. However, we cannot guarantee that these results
will be achieved. Specific factors leading to this uncertainty include failure
to identify all susceptible systems, non-compliance by third parties whose
systems and operations impact us, and other similar uncertainties. A worst case
scenario might include one or more of our internal systems, suppliers or
customers being non-compliant. An event such as this could result in a material
disruption to our operations. Specifically, we could experience software
application, computer network, manufacturing equipment and telephone
communication system failures. Supply chain and product non-compliance could
result in our failure to perform on contracts, delayed delivery of products to
customers and inadequate customer service. Customer non-compliance could result
in delayed payments for products and services and build up of inventories.
Should a worst case scenario occur, it could, depending on its duration, have
a material impact on our business, results of operations, liquidity and
financial position. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations - Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure."
Anti-Takeover Measures; Rights Plan
Our certificate of incorporation provides for cumulative voting in
the election of directors. In addition, our certificate of incorporation
provides for a classified board of directors and includes a provision that
requires the approval of holders of at least 66 2/3% of our voting stock as a
condition to a merger or certain other business transactions with, or proposed
by, a holder of 15% or more of our voting stock. This approval is not required
in
23
<PAGE> 28
cases where certain of our directors approve the transaction or where certain
minimum price criteria and other procedural requirements are met. Our
certificate of incorporation also requires the approvals of holders of at least
66 2/3% of our voting stock to amend or change the provisions mentioned relating
to the classified board, cumulative voting or the transaction approval. Finally,
our certificate of incorporation provides that any action required or permitted
to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or
special meeting rather than by any consent in writing.
The classified board, transaction approval and other charter
provisions may discourage certain types of transactions involving an actual or
potential change in our control. These provisions may also discourage certain
types of transactions in which our stockholders might otherwise receive a
premium for their shares over then current market prices and may limit our
stockholders' ability to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their
best interests.
Further, we have distributed a dividend of one right for each
outstanding share of our common stock pursuant to the terms of our preferred
share purchase rights plan. In the event holders of our trust convertible
preferred securities convert those securities into shares of our common stock,
each of those shares will also be granted a right. These rights will cause
substantial dilution to the ownership of a person or group that attempts to
acquire us on terms not approved by our board of directors and may have the
effect of deterring hostile takeover attempts. In addition, our board of
directors has the authority to fix the rights and preferences of and issue
shares of preferred stock. This right may have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in our control without action by our stockholders.
Volatility of Stock Price
Historically, our stock price has been volatile. The sales prices
for our common stock have ranged from $40.94 to $71.94 during the fiscal year
ended September 27, 1998. See "Item 5. Market for Registrants' Common Stock and
Related Stockholders Matters."
Factors that may have significant impact on our market price of our
stock include:
- - future announcements concerning us or our competitors, including the
selection of wireless technology by cellular, PCS and WLL service
providers and the timing of roll-out of those systems;
- - receipt of substantial orders for infrastructure, subscriber and ASIC's
products;
- - quality deficiencies in services or products;
- - results of technological innovations;
- - new commercial products;
- - changes in recommendations of securities analysts;
- - government regulations; and
- - proprietary rights or product or patent litigation.
Our future earnings and stock price may be subject to significant
volatility, particularly on a quarterly basis. Shortfalls in our revenues or
earnings in any given period relative to the levels expected by securities
analysts could immediately, significantly and adversely affect the trading price
of our common stock.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company is headquartered in San Diego, California where it
occupies 29 properties totaling approximately 3,040,000 square feet. These
facilities are used for manufacturing, engineering and administration. Of the
total facilities in San Diego, the Company owns 12 of the properties, totaling
approximately 2,215,000 square feet and utilizes approximately 722,000 square
feet for manufacturing facilities. The remaining properties in San Diego are
used for engineering, research and administrative facilities.
24
<PAGE> 29
The Company leases approximately 217,000 square feet in 16 other
U.S. locations including sales and support offices; engineering facilities in
Boulder, Colorado; Santa Clara, California; Scotts Valley, California; and a
backup Network Management Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company also leases
office space internationally.
In fiscal 1997, the Company also began construction of new buildings
in Boulder, Colorado totaling approximately 159,000 square feet. The Company
also owns additional property in Boulder, Colorado.
The Company believes its facilities are adequate for its present
needs. In the future, the Company may need to purchase, build or lease
additional facilities to meet the requirements projected in its long-term
business plan.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On September 23, 1996, Ericsson Inc. and Telefonaktiebolaget LM
Ericsson ("Ericsson") filed suit against the Company in Marshall, Texas and on
December 17, 1996, Ericsson also filed suit against QPE in Dallas, Texas with
both complaints alleging that the Company's or QPE's CDMA products infringe one
or more patents owned by Ericsson. The suits were later amended to include a
total of 11 Ericsson patents. By order dated July 24, 1998, the Dallas action
was transferred to Marshall, Texas. In December 1996, QUALCOMM filed a
countersuit alleging, among other things, unfair competition by Ericsson based
on a pattern of conduct intended to impede the acceptance and commercial
deployment of QUALCOMM's CDMA technology and is seeking a judicial declaration
that certain of Ericsson's patents are not infringed by QUALCOMM and are
invalid. That countersuit has been consolidated with the Marshall, Texas action.
On September 10, 1996, OKI America, Inc. ("OKI") filed a complaint against
Ericsson seeking a judicial declaration that certain of OKI's CDMA subscriber
products do not infringe 9 patents of Ericsson and that such patents are
invalid. The 9 patents are among the 11 patents at issue in the litigation
between the Company and Ericsson. The OKI case has not yet been set for trial.
On October 14, 1998, Ericsson filed a dismissal with prejudice of all of its
claims under three of the patents at issue in the Marshall, Texas case. The
Marshall case is set for trial on April 6, 1999. Although there can be no
assurances that an unfavorable outcome of the Marshall case would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, liquidity or
financial position, the Company believes the named Ericsson patents are not
required to produce IS-95 compliant systems and that Ericsson's claims are
without merit.
On March 5, 1997, the Company filed a complaint against Motorola,
Inc. ("Motorola"). The complaint was filed in response to allegations by
Motorola that the Company's recently announced Q phone infringes design and
utility patents held by Motorola as well as trade dress and common law rights
relating to the appearance of certain Motorola wireless telephone products. The
complaint denies such allegations and seeks a judicial declaration that the
Company's products do not infringe any patents held by Motorola. On March 10,
1997, Motorola filed a complaint against the Company (the "Motorola Complaint"),
alleging claims based primarily on the above alleged infringement. The Company's
motion to transfer the Motorola Complaint to the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of California was granted on April 3, 1997. On April 24, 1997,
the court denied Motorola's motion for a preliminary injunction thereby
permitting the Company to continue to manufacture, market and sell the Q phone.
On April 25, 1997, Motorola appealed the denial of its motion for a preliminary
injunction. On January 16, 1998 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit denied Motorola's appeal and affirmed the decision of the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of California refusing Motorola's request to
enjoin QUALCOMM from manufacturing and selling the Q phone. On June 4, 1997,
Motorola filed another lawsuit alleging infringement by QUALCOMM of 4 patents.
Three of the patents had already been alleged in previous litigation between the
parties. On August 18, 1997, Motorola filed another complaint against the
Company alleging infringement by the Company of 7 additional patents. All of the
Motorola cases have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings. The cases have
been set for a final pretrial conference on March 1, 1999. Although there can be
no assurance that an unfavorable outcome of the dispute would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, liquidity or
financial position, the Company believes Motorola's complaint has no merit and
will vigorously defend the action.
On October 27, 1998, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research
Institute of Korea ("ETRI") submitted to the International Chamber of Commerce a
Request for Arbitration of a dispute with the Company arising out of a Joint
Development Agreement dated April 30, 1992 ("JDA") between ETRI and the Company.
In the request, ETRI alleges that the Company has breached certain provisions of
the JDA and seeks monetary damages and an accounting. The Company's answer to
the request is not due until November 30, 1998. The Company plans to file an
answer and counterclaims denying the allegations, establishing the termination
of the JDA and seeking monetary damages against ETRI. In accordance with the
JDA, the arbitration will take place in San Diego. No arbitrator has yet been
appointed and no schedule for the arbitration proceedings has been established.
Although
25
<PAGE> 30
the ultimate resolution of this dispute is subject to the uncertainties inherent
in litigation or arbitration, the Company does not believe that the resolution
of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations, liquidity or financial position.
The Company is engaged in other legal actions arising in the
ordinary course of its business and believes that the ultimate outcome of these
actions will not have a material adverse effect on its results of operations,
liquidity or financial position.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSIONS OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
quarter ended September 27, 1998.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET INFORMATION. The Common Stock of the Company is traded on
the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "QCOM." The following table sets
forth the range of high and low sales prices on the National Market of the
Common Stock for the periods indicated, as reported by Nasdaq. Such quotations
represent inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commission and
may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
---- ---
<S> <C> <C>
FISCAL 1998
First Quarter........................... $71.94 $45.50
Second Quarter.......................... 58.44 45.00
Third Quarter........................... 60.56 46.63
Fourth Quarter.......................... 67.38 40.94
FISCAL 1997
First Quarter........................... $46.75 $35.38
Second Quarter.......................... 63.75 39.13
Third Quarter........................... 60.63 41.25
Fourth Quarter.......................... 56.88 43.25
</TABLE>
As of November 16, 1998, there were 2,235 holders of record of the
Common Stock. On November 16, 1998, the last sale price reported on the Nasdaq
National Market for the Common Stock was $54.25 per share. The Company has never
paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and has no present intention to do so.
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. On August 20, 1998, the
Company issued and sold 705,000 shares of its Common Stock to Airtouch
Communications, Inc. upon the full "net exercise" by that company of an
outstanding warrant to purchase 782,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at
a purchase price equal to $5.50 per share. The Company relied on the exemption
provided by Section 4 (2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").
The shares are freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated under the
Act.
26
<PAGE> 31
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following statement of income and balance sheet data for the
years ended September 30, 1998-1994 has been derived from the Company's audited
financial statements. Consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 1998 and 1997
and the related consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended September 30, 1998 and notes thereto appear
elsewhere herein. The data should be read in conjunction with the annual
financial statements, related notes and other financial information appearing
elsewhere herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,(1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Revenues:
Communications systems ................ $ 2,863,092 $ 1,733,169 $ 582,953 $ 246,997 $ 194,037
Contract services ..................... 270,388 211,661 131,022 95,150 48,310
License, royalty and development fees . 214,390 151,535 99,875 44,465 29,276
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total revenues .................. 3,347,870 2,096,365 813,850 386,612 271,623
Operating expenses:
Communications systems ................ 2,136,297 1,361,641 445,481 143,774 118,636
Contract services ..................... 197,102 156,365 90,380 69,396 38,051
Research and development .............. 349,483 235,922 162,340 80,171 49,586
Selling and marketing ................. 246,975 147,040 74,114 37,754 23,687
General and administrative ............ 163,372 89,148 48,971 34,918 18,696
Other(2) .............................. 11,976 8,792 -- -- 13,017
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total operating expenses ........ 3,105,205 1,998,908 821,286 366,013 261,673
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating income (loss) ................. 242,665 97,457 (7,436) 20,599 9,950
Interest income, net .................. 31,426 23,833 20,885 7,265 4,470
Net gain on sale of investments ....... 2,950 13,400 -- -- --
Write-off of investments .............. (20,000) -- -- -- --
Distributions on Trust Convertible
Preferred Securities of subsidiary
Trust ............................... (39,270) (23,277) -- -- --
Minority interest in (income) loss of
consolidated subsidiaries ........... (48,366) (2,979) 13,178 12,016 2,893
Equity in losses of investees ......... (20,731) -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income taxes ............ 148,674 108,434 26,627 39,880 17,313
Income tax expense(3) ................. (40,142) (16,500) (5,600) (9,700) (2,120)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income ............................ $ 108,532 $ 91,934 $ 21,027 $ 30,180 $ 15,193
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Net earnings per common share(4):
Basic ................................. $ 1.57 $ 1.37 $ 0.32 $ 0.56 $ 0.30
Diluted ............................... $ 1.47 $ 1.28 $ 0.30 $ 0.52 $ 0.28
Shares used in per share calculation(4):
Basic ................................. 69,203 67,335 65,558 53,417 51,009
Diluted ............................... 73,962 71,887 70,335 57,570 54,200
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and
Investments ........................... $ 303,324 $ 808,858 $ 354,281 $ 578,996 $ 137,496
Working capital ....................... 655,611 982,117 425,231 599,633 151,448
Total assets .......................... 2,566,713 2,274,680 1,185,330 940,717 357,925
Bank lines of credit .................. 151,000 110,000 80,700 -- --
Other debt and capital lease
Obligations... ........................ 6,921 10,967 13,142 39,494 27,486
Company-obligated mandatorily
Redeemable Trust Convertible
Preferred Securities of a
subsidiary trust holding solely
debt securities of the
Company ............................. 660,000 660,000 -- -- --
Total stockholders' equity ..... 957,596 1,024,178 844,913 799,617 262,170
</TABLE>
- -------------------
(1) The Company's fiscal years end on the last Sunday in September. As a
result, fiscal 1996 includes 53 weeks.
(2) Consists of acquired in-process research and development and asset
impairment charges in 1998, asset impairment charges in 1997 and
litigation settlement and related costs in 1994.
(3) Includes the tax benefit of $21.5 million in 1997, $3.0 million in 1995,
and $4.0 million in 1994 from a reduction in the valuation allowance to
recognize deferred tax assets.
(4) Net earnings per common share and shares used in per share calculation
were retroactively restated for 1997-1994 in connection with the adoption
of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share." See Note 1 of "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."
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<PAGE> 32
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Except for the historical information contained herein, the
following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's future results could differ materially from those
discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences
include, but are not specifically limited to: the ability to develop and
introduce cost effective new products in a timely manner, avoiding delays in the
commercial implementation of the CDMA technology; continued growth in the CDMA
subscriber population and the scale-up and operations of CDMA systems;
developments in current or future litigation; the Company's ability to
effectively manage growth and the intense competition in the wireless
communications industry; risks associated with vendor financing; timing and
receipt of license fees and royalties; the Company's ability to successfully
manufacture and sell significant quantities of CDMA infrastructure equipment on
a timely basis; failure to satisfy performance obligations; as well as the other
risks detailed in this section and in the sections entitled Results of
Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources
OVERVIEW
QUALCOMM is a leading provider of digital wireless communications
products, technologies and services. The Company generates revenues primarily
from: license fees and royalties paid by licensees of the Company's CDMA
technology; sales of CDMA subscriber, infrastructure and ASICs products to
domestic and international wireless communications equipment suppliers and
service providers; sales of OmniTRACS terminals and related software and
services to OmniTRACS users; and contract development services, including the
design and development of subscriber and ground communications products for the
Globalstar System. In addition, the Company generates revenues from the design,
development, manufacture and sale of a variety of other communications products
and services.
The Company generates revenue from its CDMA licensees in the form of
up-front license fees as well as ongoing royalties based on worldwide sales by
such licensees of CDMA subscriber and infrastructure products. License fees are
generally nonrefundable and may be paid in one or more installments. Revenues
generated from license fees and royalties are subject to quarterly and annual
fluctuations. This is due to variations in the amount and timing of recognition
of CDMA license fees, pricing and amount of sales by the Company's licensees and
the Company's ability to estimate such sales, and the impact of currency
fluctuations and risks associated with royalties generated from international
licensees.
The Company manufactures CDMA infrastructure products for sale to
wireless network operators worldwide. The Company has entered into agreements
regarding the manufacture and supply of CDMA infrastructure products with
Hitachi, Hughes and Nortel. The Company manufactures its CDMA subscriber
products primarily through QPE, a joint venture between the Company and a
subsidiary of Sony Electronics, Inc. The Company, through QPE, is one of the
largest manufacturers of CDMA handsets and has shipped over seven million
handsets to customers around the world. The Company has also generated
substantial revenue from the design and sale of CDMA ASICs to its licensees for
incorporation into their subscriber and infrastructure products. As of
September 1998, the Company has shipped approximately 25 million MSM ASICs to
CDMA handset manufacturers worldwide, including QPE.
The Company generates revenues from its domestic OmniTRACS business
by manufacturing and selling OmniTRACS terminals and related application
software packages and by providing ongoing messaging and maintenance services to
domestic OmniTRACS users. The Company generates revenues from its international
OmniTRACS business through license fees, sales of network products and
terminals, and service fees. International messaging services are provided by
service providers that operate network management centers for a region under
licenses granted by the Company.
The Company has entered into a number of development and
manufacturing contracts involving the Globalstar System. The Company's
development agreement provides for the design and development of the ground
communication stations and user terminals of the Globalstar System. Under the
agreement, the Company is reimbursed for its development services on a cost-plus
basis. In addition, in April 1997 the Company was awarded a contract to
manufacture and supply commercial gateways for deployment in the Globalstar
System. In March 1998 the Company entered into an agreement with Globalstar to
manufacture and supply portable and fixed CDMA handsets that will operate on the
Globalstar System.
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<PAGE> 33
Revenues from international customers accounted for approximately
34%, 30% and 36% of total revenues for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 respectively.
Sales of subscriber, infrastructure and ASICs products internationally are
subject to a number of risks. Wireless and satellite network operators, both
domestic and international, increasingly have required their suppliers to
arrange or provide long-term financing for them as a condition to obtaining or
bidding on infrastructure projects. In order to provide for such financing, the
Company likely will be subjected to vendor financing and currency fluctuation
risks. See "Risk Factors-Risks Relating to the Company-International Business,
Currency Fluctuations and Vendor Financing."
The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience,
increased operating expenses in absolute dollars. The Company continues to
emphasize control of operating expenses and reduction of these expenses as a
percentage of revenue. The Company is exposed to risk from fluctuations in
foreign currency and interest rates, which could impact the Company's results of
operations and financial condition. QUALCOMM's financing on products and
services is denominated in dollars and any significant change in the value of
the dollar against the national currency where QUALCOMM is lending could result
in the increase of costs to the debtors and could restrict the debtors from
fulfilling their contractual obligations. Any devaluation in the local currency
relative to the currencies in which such liabilities are payable could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. In some developing countries, including
Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine significant currency devaluation
relative to the U.S. dollar have occurred and may occur again in the future. In
such circumstances, the Company may experience economic loss with respect to the
collectability of its receivables and the recoverability of inventories as a
result of exchange rate fluctuations.
From time to time the Company evaluates various strategic
alternatives with regard to its businesses and operating divisions with the goal
of maximizing long-term stockholder value.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
percentage of total revenues represented by certain consolidated statements of
operations data:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,(*)
------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Communications systems ................... 86% 83% 72%
Contract services ........................ 8 10 16
License, royalty and development fees .... 6 7 12
---- ---- ----
Total revenues ................... 100% 100% 100%
==== ==== ====
Operating expenses:
Communications systems ................... 64% 65% 55%
Contract services ........................ 6 8 11
Research and development ................. 11 11 20
Selling and marketing .................... 7 7 9
General and administrative ............... 5 4 6
Other .................................... -- -- --
---- ---- ----
Total operating expenses ......... 93% 95% 101%
---- ---- ----
Operating income (loss) .................... 7 5 (1)
Interest income, net ....................... 1 1 3
Net gain on sale of investments ............ -- -- --
Write-off of investment in other entity .... (1) -- --
Distributions on trust convertible preferred
Securities of subsidiary trust ........... (1) (1) --
Minority interest in (income) loss of
Consolidated subsidiaries ................ (1) -- 2
Equity in losses of investees .............. (1) -- --
---- ---- ----
Income before income taxes ................. 4 5 4
Income tax expense ......................... 1 1 1
---- ---- ----
Net income ................................. 3% 4% 3%
==== ==== ====
Communications systems costs as a percentage
of communications systems revenues ....... 75% 79% 76%
Contract services costs as a percentage of
contract services revenues ............... 73% 74% 69%
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(*) The Company's fiscal periods end on the last Sunday of each period. As a
result, fiscal 1996 includes 53 weeks.
29
<PAGE> 34
FISCAL 1998 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1997
Total revenues for fiscal 1998 were $3,348 million, an increase of
$1,252 million over total revenues of $2,096 million for fiscal 1997. Revenue
growth for 1998 was primarily due to significant growth in revenues related to
communications systems.
Communications systems revenues for fiscal 1998, which consisted
primarily of revenues from CDMA subscriber, infrastructure and ASIC's products,
the sale of OmniTRACS products and services and sales of commercial gateways for
deployment in the Globalstar System, were $2,863 million, a 65% increase
compared to revenues of $1,733 million for fiscal 1997. The increase for fiscal
1998 represents the higher volumes of CDMA subscriber, infrastructure and ASICs
products increased revenues from OmniTRACS system international sales and
expansion of the installed OmniTRACS base in the U.S., and sales of commercial
gateways for deployment in the Globalstar system.
Contract services revenues for fiscal 1998 increased to $270 million
from $212 million for fiscal 1997, an increase of 28%. The increase of $58
million resulted primarily from the development agreement with Globalstar.
License, royalty and development fees for fiscal 1998 were $214
million, compared to $152 million for fiscal 1997. The increase of $62 million
resulted primarily from increased royalty revenue and the accrual of royalties
during fiscal 1998. Beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 1998, the
Company began to accrue its estimate of certain royalty revenues earned that
previously could not be reasonably estimated prior to being reported by its
licensees. License, royalty and development fees may continue to fluctuate
quarterly due to the timing and amount of up-front fees on new licenses,
royalties from sales by the Company's licensees, and changes in foreign currency
exchange rates.
Costs of communications systems for fiscal 1998, which consisted
primarily of costs of sales of CDMA subscriber, infrastructure and ASICs
products, and OmniTRACS products and services, were $2,136 million or 75% of
communications systems revenues, compared to $1,362 million or 79% of
communications systems revenues for fiscal 1997. The dollar increase in costs
primarily reflects increased shipments of CDMA subscriber, infrastructure and
ASICs products and initial sales of commercial gateways. The decrease in
communications systems costs as a percentage of communications systems revenues
primarily reflects operational efficiencies and volume discounts obtained from
suppliers. Communications systems costs as a percentage of communications
systems revenues may fluctuate in future quarters depending on mix of products
sold, competitive pricing, new product introduction costs and other factors.
Contract services costs for fiscal 1998 were $197 million or 73% of
contract services revenues, compared to $156 million or 74% of contract services
revenues for fiscal 1997. The dollar increase in contract services costs was
primarily related to the Globalstar development contract.
For fiscal 1998 research and development expenses were $349 million
or 10% of revenues, compared to $236 million or 11% of revenues for fiscal 1997.
For fiscal 1998, selling and marketing expenses were $247 million or
7% of revenues, compared to $147 million or 7% of revenues for fiscal 1997. The
dollar increase in selling and marketing expenses for fiscal 1998 was primarily
due to increased national and international marketing activities and increased
advertising costs in connection with sales of CDMA subscriber products.
General and administrative expenses for fiscal 1998 were $163
million or 5% of revenues, compared to $89 million or 4% of revenues for fiscal
1997. The dollar increase for the fiscal year was attributable to continued
growth in personnel and associated overhead expenses necessary to support the
overall growth in the Company's operations, increased litigation expenses,
computer system implementations, and costs associated with the Leap Wireless
spin-off.
For fiscal 1998, interest income was $39 million compared to $35
million for fiscal 1997. The increase for fiscal 1998 reflects the interest
earned on the proceeds from the private placement of Trust Convertible Preferred
Securities, which occurred during March 1997.
For fiscal 1998, interest expense was $8 million compared to $11
million for fiscal 1997. This decrease is the result of decreased bank
borrowings during fiscal 1998 to support the working capital needs of QPE.
30
<PAGE> 35
The net gain on sale of investments was $3 million compared to $13
million for fiscal 1997. During fiscal 1998, the Company recognized a net gain
of $3 million from the sale of, and from other investing activities related to,
investments in other entities. During fiscal 1997, the Company realized a $13
million gain on the sale of trading securities associated with the sale of
Globalstar Telecommunications, Ltd. common stock.
During the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a $20
million non-cash charge to write-off its investment in NextWave Telecom Inc.
Subsidiaries of NextWave Telecom, Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection under
Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in June 1998.
Distributions on Trust Convertible Preferred Securities of $39
million and $23 million for fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997, respectively, relate to
the private placement of $660 million of 5 3/4% Trust Convertible Preferred
Securities by QUALCOMM in March 1997.
The minority interest represents other parties' or stockholders'
share of the income or losses of consolidated subsidiaries, including QPE, a
joint venture with a subsidiary of Sony Electronics Inc. Minority interest for
fiscal 1998 includes the impact of restructuring QPE. During March 1998, QPE
became solely a manufacturing venture. Previously, QPE had been a design and
sales venture in addition to a manufacturing venture.
Equity in losses of investees for all periods indicated relates to
the Company's ownership interests in domestic and international CDMA based
wireless telecommunications business and joint ventures. The majority of these
investments was transferred to Leap Wireless as part of the spin-off.
Income tax expense was $40 million for fiscal 1998 compared to $17
million for fiscal 1997, resulting primarily from higher pretax earnings for
fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997 and the tax benefit from recognition, during
the third quarter of fiscal 1997, of deferred tax assets that satisfied the
"more likely than not" criteria for recognition established by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109. Excluding an increase in certain
estimated tax credits, the annual effective tax rate for fiscal 1998 was 30%,
compared to 15% for fiscal 1997 which includes the tax benefit from recognizing
the deferred tax assets. The annual effective tax rate for fiscal 1998 was
increased by the expiration of the federal research credit as of June 30, 1998.
Subsequent to fiscal year end, the credit was reinstated retroactive to July 1,
1998. However, the retroactive effect of the credit cannot be recognized until
the first quarter of fiscal year 1999. Had the credit reinstatement occurred
prior to year end, the annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 1998 would have
been 24%.
FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996
Total revenues for fiscal 1997 were $2,096 million, more than double
the revenues of $814 million for fiscal 1996. Revenue growth was primarily due
to the significant growth in communications systems which was primarily
attributable to increased revenues from CDMA subscriber, ASICs and
infrastructure products. Also contributing were increased contract services
revenues from the Company's development agreement with Globalstar, and an
increase in royalties recognized in conjunction with the worldwide sales of
subscriber and infrastructure products utilizing the Company's CDMA technology
by licensees.
Communications systems revenues, which consisted primarily of sales
of CDMA subscriber and infrastructure products, ASICs to CDMA licensees and
service providers and product and service revenues from the sale of the
Company's OmniTRACS system were $1,733 million in fiscal 1997, almost tripling
fiscal 1996 revenues of $583 million. The growth in communications systems
revenues for fiscal 1997 was primarily attributable to the following: increased
sales in subscriber products, which more than quadrupled fiscal 1996 sales;
increased ASIC sales, which shipped approximately 8 million MSM chips to CDMA
handset manufacturers worldwide, including QPE; and increased infrastructure
sales due to revenue recognized during fiscal 1997 with respect to base stations
installed under a major contract with Nortel to deliver infrastructure products
to Sprint PCS. OmniTRACS domestic revenues continue to increase primarily driven
by increased messaging revenues due to the expansion of the installed OmniTRACS
base in the U.S. This was partially offset by a decline in international unit
sales.
Contract services revenues for fiscal 1997 were $212 million, a 62%
increase compared to $131 million for fiscal 1996. The increase resulted
primarily from the development agreement with Globalstar.
License, royalty and development fees for fiscal 1997 were $152
million, a 52% increase compared to revenues of $100 million for fiscal 1996.
The increase was driven by increased royalties recognized in conjunction
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with the worldwide sales of subscriber units and infrastructure products
utilizing the Company's CDMA technology by the Company's licensees.
Costs of communications systems were $1,362 million or 79% of
communications systems revenues for fiscal 1997, compared to $445 million or 76%
of communications systems revenues for fiscal 1996. The increase in
communications systems costs, and communications systems costs as a percentage
of communications systems revenues, primarily reflected the significant increase
in sales volumes of CDMA products, which averaged a lower gross margin than
OmniTRACS revenues.
Contract services costs for fiscal 1997 were $156 million or 74% of
contract services revenues, compared to $90 million or 69% of contract services
revenues for fiscal 1996. The increase in costs was primarily related to the
significant growth in the Globalstar development effort. The percentage increase
in contract services costs as a percentage of contract services revenues was
related to the overall growth and relative mix of labor and subcontract costs
combined with lower fees associated with the Globalstar development contract.
Research and development costs were $236 million or 11% of revenues
for fiscal 1997, compared to $162 million or 20% of revenues for fiscal 1996.
The Company continued to invest in the commercial development of its CDMA
related infrastructure, ASICs and subscriber products.
Selling and marketing expenses were $147 million or 7% of revenues
for fiscal 1997, compared to $74 million or 9% of revenues for fiscal 1996. The
dollar increase in selling and marketing was due primarily to increased
marketing efforts both domestically and internationally as the Company expanded
its sales and marketing force. Also during fiscal 1997, the Company launched a
multi-million dollar national advertising campaign promoting its broad line of
CDMA subscriber products.
General and administrative expenses for fiscal 1997 were $89 million
or 4% of revenues, compared to $49 million or 6% of revenues for fiscal 1996.
Primarily, additional personnel drove the dollar increase and associated
overhead costs necessary to support the overall growth in the Company's
operations and increased legal fees associated with patent infringement
litigation.
Interest income was $35 million for fiscal 1997, compared to $24
million for fiscal 1996. The increase was primarily due to interest generated
from the proceeds received from the $660 million private placement of Trust
Convertible Preferred Securities during the second quarter of fiscal 1997.
Interest expense was $11 million for fiscal 1997, compared to $3
million for fiscal 1996. The increase is the result of increased bank borrowings
to support the working capital needs of QPE.
The gain on sale of trading securities of $13 million for fiscal
1997 relates to the sale of Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. common stock
obtained in exchange for the Company's guarantee of a Globalstar bank financing
agreement.
Distributions on Trust Convertible Preferred Securities of $23
million for fiscal 1997 relate to the $660 million of 5 3/4% Trust Convertible
Preferred Securities issued by the Company in March 1997. The securities are
convertible into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $72.6563
per share of common stock.
The minority interest primarily consists of Sony's 49% share of the
income generated from QPE, a joint venture consolidated in the Company's
financial statements. QPE manufactures CDMA handsets developed jointly and
individually by both QUALCOMM and Sony.
Income tax expense was $17 million for fiscal 1997, compared to $6
million for fiscal 1996. The increase was primarily due to higher pretax
earnings in fiscal 1997 substantially offset by the tax benefit from
recognition, during fiscal 1997, of deferred tax assets that satisfied the "more
likely than not" criteria for recognition established by FAS 109. The effective
tax rate in fiscal 1997 was 15% compared to 21% in fiscal 1996.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
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The Company anticipates that its cash and cash equivalents and
investments balances of $303 million at September 30, 1998, including interest
earned thereon, will be used to fund working and fixed capital requirements,
including facilities related to the expansion of its operations, financing for
customers of its CDMA infrastructure products and investment in joint ventures
or other companies and other assets to support the growth of its business.
On March 11, 1998, the Company and a group of banks entered into a
credit facility (the "Credit Facility") under which the banks are committed to
make up to $400 million in revolving loans to the Company and to extend letters
of credit on behalf of the Company. The credit facility expires in March 2001
and may be extended on an annual basis thereafter, subject to approval of a
requisite percentage of the lenders. Letters of credit outstanding reduces the
amount available for borrowing. The Company is currently obligated to pay
commitment fees equal to 0.3% per annum on the unused amount of the credit
facility. The credit facility includes certain restrictive financial and
operating covenants. At September 30, 1998, $80 million in borrowings and $7.7
million of letters of credit were outstanding under the credit facility.
The design, development, manufacture and marketing of digital
wireless communications products and services are highly capital intensive.
The Company's business plan contemplates raising additional funds from a
combination of sources including potential debt and equity issuances. The
Company may also seek to expand the existing credit facility. There can be no
assurance that additional financing will be available on reasonable terms or at
all. In addition the Company's Credit Facility, as well as notes and Indentures,
place restrictions on the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness
which could adversely affect its ability to raise additional capital through
debt financing.
In fiscal 1998, $25 million in cash was used by operating
activities, compared to $29 million used by operating activities in fiscal 1997.
Cash used by operating activities in fiscal 1998 includes $394 million of net
working capital requirements offset by $369 million of net cash flow provided by
operations. The improved cash flow from operations primarily reflects the
increase in net income resulting from increased revenues and gross margins. Net
working capital requirements of $394 million primarily reflect increases in
accounts receivable, finance receivables and inventories, which were primarily
offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The increase
in accounts and finance receivables in fiscal 1998 reflects the continued growth
in products and component sales. The increases in inventories and accounts
payable and accrued liabilities are primarily attributable to the growth of the
business. Additionally, higher inventory balances reflect an increase in Q
phones and QCP phones in finished goods inventory.
Investments in capital expenditures, intangible assets and other
entities totaled $442 million in fiscal 1998, compared to $221 million in fiscal
1997. Significant components in fiscal 1998 consisted of the purchase of $322
million of capital assets, the purchase of $13 million of intangible assets and
the investment of $107 million in entities in which the Company holds less than
a 50% interest. The Company expects to continue making significant investments
in capital assets, including new facilities and building improvements throughout
fiscal 1999.
In fiscal 1998, the Company's financing activities provided $86
million. Net borrowing under bank lines of credit and proceeds from the issuance
of common stock under the Company's stock option and employee stock purchase
plans provided $41 million and $50 million, respectively. In fiscal 1997, the
Company's financing activities provided net cash of $704 million. Fiscal 1997
included $660 million in proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Convertible
Preferred Securities, offset by $19 million of deferred costs, and $33 million
from the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options under the
Company's stock option plans and employee stock purchases under the Company's
plan. Additionally, during fiscal 1997, QPE drew down $29 million under its
credit facility used in operations and to fund working capital requirements
necessary to support the significant expansion in production of subscriber
products.
During March 1998, the Company agreed to defer up to $100 million of
contract payments, with interest accruing at 5 3/4% capitalized quarterly, as
customer financing under its development contract with Globalstar. Financed
amounts outstanding as of January 1, 2000 will be repaid in eight equal
quarterly installments commencing as of that date, with final payment due
October 1, 2001 accompanied by all then unpaid accrued interest. At September
30, 1998, contract payments of approximately $89.7 million were outstanding from
Globalstar as interest bearing financed amounts. Subject to terms and
conditions, Globalstar is entitled to defer $4.2 million from each future
monthly development contract payment until the $100 million limit is reached.
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<PAGE> 38
Unfunded commitments to extend long-term financing under sales
arrangements other than Globalstar at September 30, 1998 aggregated
approximately $489 million through fiscal 2002. Such commitments are subject to
the customers meeting certain conditions established in the financing
arrangements. Commitments represent the estimated amounts to be financed under
these arrangements. Actual financing may be in lesser or greater
amounts.
The Company has issued a letter of credit to support a guarantee of
up to $22.5 million of Globalstar borrowings under an existing bank financing
agreement. The guarantee will expire in December 2000. The letter of credit is
collateralized by a commensurate amount of the Company's investments in debt
securities. At September 30, 1998, Globalstar had no borrowings outstanding
under the existing bank financing agreement.
Under an agreement entered into during fiscal 1997 with Chilesat
PCS, the Company agreed to provide a $58 million letter of credit on behalf of
Chilesat PCS in which the Company may be required to reimburse Chilesat PCS for
a portion of Chilean government fines if certain network build-out milestones
are not met. Chilesat PCS has received notification from the Chilean
Undersecretariat of Telecommunications ("SUBTEL") that phase one of the network
has passed certain acceptance tests performed by SUBTEL, and has been cleared to
commence commercial operations. Chilesat PCS is required to successfully
complete certain remaining tests on phase two of the network no later than
December 1998. The amount that Chilesat PCS may draw on the letter of credit has
been reduced to $52 million and will decline further as additional milestones
are met. The letter of credit will expire no later than December 31, 1999, and
is collateralized by a commensurate amount of the Company's investments in debt
securities.
As part of the Company's strategy of supporting the
commercialization and sale of its CDMA technology and products, the Company may
from time to time enter into strategic alliances with domestic and international
emerging wireless telecommunications operating companies. These alliances often
involve the investment by QUALCOMM of substantial equity in the operating
company, as well as a commitment by the operating company to purchase CDMA
products from QUALCOMM. At September, 1998, the company has investments in
Shinsegi Telecomm Inc. (Korea) and Telesystems of Ukraine.
QUALCOMM has also made a substantial funding commitment to Leap
Wireless in the form of a $265.0 million secured credit facility. The credit
facility consists of two sub-facilities. The first sub-facility enables Leap
Wireless to borrow up to $35.2 million from QUALCOMM, subject to the terms
thereof, solely to meet the normal working capital and operating expenses of
Leap Wireless, including salaries, overhead and credit facility fees, but
excluding, among other things, strategic capital investments in wireless
operators, substantial acquisitions of capital products, and/or the acquisition
of telecommunications licenses. The other sub-facility enables Leap Wireless to
borrow up to $229.8 million from QUALCOMM, subject to the terms thereof, solely
to use as investment capital to make certain identified portfolio investments.
Amounts borrowed under the credit facility will be due and payable approximately
September 23, 2006. QUALCOMM will have a first priority security interest in,
subject to minor exceptions, substantially all of the assets of Leap Wireless
for so long as any amounts are outstanding under the credit facility. Amounts
borrowed under the credit facility will bear interest at a variable rate equal
to LIBOR plus 5.25% per annum. Interest will be payable quarterly beginning
September 30, 2001; and prior to such time, accrued interest shall be added to
the principal amount outstanding.
YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE
The Year 2000 ("Y2K") issue relates to the way computer systems and
programs define calendar dates. A system could fail or make miscalculations due
to the interpretation of a date including "00" to mean 1900 and not 2000. Also,
other systems and products that are not typically recognized as computer or
information technology related may contain embedded hardware or software that
would be affected by this issue.
The Company has developed a plan tied to specific completion dates.
As of September 30, 1998, the Company's Y2K Project ("Project"), designed to
minimize the impact of such computer problems on the results of operations, is
proceeding on schedule. However, the Company is unable to completely determine
at this time whether the consequences of Y2K failures will have a material
impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition. The
failure to correct a material Y2K problem could result in an interruption in, or
a failure of, certain normal business activities or operations. Such failures
could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and
financial condition. This is due to the general uncertainty inherent in the Y2K
problems, resulting in part from the uncertainty of the Y2K readiness of
third-party suppliers, customers and utility services.
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During fiscal 1997, the Company initiated a strategy to begin work
on the correction of Y2K problems. As part of this strategy, a Y2K Program
Office was formed consisting of a Program director, key individuals in the
business units, analysts and administrative support. The Program Office is
directly focusing attention and required resources on the Company's Y2K issues.
The Company has also engaged an outside consulting firm to assist with project
management, conversion and testing of Y2K issues. All Y2K efforts are being
coordinated through the Program Office to ensure consistency of approach and the
ultimate readiness of QUALCOMM. This strategy is expected to reduce our level of
uncertainty about the Y2K problem and in particular, about the Y2K compliance
and readiness of the Company's material customers and suppliers. We believe that
with the completion of the Project as scheduled, the possibility of significant
interruptions of normal operations will be reduced.
The Y2K Company's Program Office is addressing the issues under four
major sections: Internal Readiness, Supply Chain Assessment, Product Compliance
and Customer Compliance. Each section is evaluated through four phases:
Discovery, Assessment, Remediation and Post-Remediation. Discovery is the
process of inventorying potential Y2K issues throughout the Company's business
process. Assessment is the process of categorizing issues that were identified
in the Discovery phase into "ready," "not ready" or "needs more study."
Remediation is the process of fixing and testing those items that must be ready
for the Y2K. Post-Remediation is the process of addressing Y2K issues that were
not previously or not adequately corrected.
Internal Readiness includes the computing and communications
infrastructure, the tools and systems used to develop products and run the
business, and internal service organizations. The Company has identified a
majority of the systems that require remediation or replacement and these
remediation efforts have begun. Those systems considered most critical to
continuing operations are given the highest priority, and all testing is
scheduled to be complete by June 1999. Non-compliant systems are scheduled to be
retired, replaced, or repaired by September 1999.
Supply Chain Assessment involves evaluating the Y2K readiness of
QUALCOMM's suppliers and their ability to continue delivering materials and
services after 1999. The Company has initiated formal communications with
significant suppliers to determine the Company's vulnerability to suppliers' Y2K
issues. The Company is requesting that third party vendors represent their
products and services to be Y2K compliant and that they have a program to test
for that compliance. On-site visits of key suppliers will be conducted for Y2K
compliance. The Company expects to identify all critical suppliers
state-of-readiness for Y2K compliance by December 1998. At this date, if the
Company determines a critical supplier will not be Y2K compliant by June 1999,
the Company will continue to work with the supplier to assist them in achieving
compliance, while in parallel initiating a search for an alternate Y2K compliant
supplier to avoid supply chain interruptions.
Product Compliance includes the review of QUALCOMM's products for
Y2K compliance. The Company's program office has been working with individual
business unit managers to review all QUALCOMM products for Y2K compliance. The
Company believes that the majority of its products are compliant with further
formal verification being initiated where required. All testing for Y2K product
compliance is scheduled for completion by June 1999. The Company estimates all
products will be Y2K compliant by September 1999. The Company is scheduled to
issue a definitive statement of Y2K readiness for its products before July 1999.
Customer Compliance reviews QUALCOMM's major customers for Y2K
compliance. The Company's program office is in the preliminary stages of
organizing this review. The Company does not currently have any information
concerning the Y2K compliance status of the Company's major customers. The
Company will be requesting information from customers to understand their state
of readiness for Y2K compliance. We have scheduled this process to be complete
by June 1999.
While the Company expects these efforts will provide reasonable
assurance that material disruptions will not occur due to internal failure, the
potential for interruption still exists. The need for a contingency plan is
recognized and plans will be developed to deal with such issues as "at risk"
suppliers and interruption of utility and other services. The response of
certain third parties is beyond the control of the Company. If the Company does
not receive adequate Y2K compliant responses from its suppliers or customers
prior to April 1999, contingency plans will be developed and scheduled for no
later than April 1999. Contingency plans may include increasing inventory
levels, securing alternate sources of supply, adjusting alternate shutdown and
start-up schedules, and other appropriate measures. At this time, the Company
cannot estimate the additional cost, if any, that might develop from the
implementation of such contingency plans.
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The Company believes its critical systems will be Y2K compliant by
June 1999. However, there is no guarantee that these results will be achieved.
Specific factors giving to this uncertainty include failure to identify all
susceptible systems, non-compliance by third parties whose systems and
operations impact the Company and other similar uncertainties. A worst case
scenario might include one or more of the Company's internal systems, suppliers
or customers being non-compliant. An event such as this could result in a
material disruption to the Company's operations. Specifically, the Company could
experience software application, computer network, manufacturing products and
telephone system failures. Supply chain and product non-compliance could result
in the failure of the Company to perform on contracts, delayed delivery of
products to customers and inadequate customer service. Customer non-compliance
could result in delayed payments for products and services and build up of
inventories. Should a worst case scenario occur, it could, depending on its
duration, have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of
operations, liquidity and financial position.
To become Y2K compliant, the Company's total cost associated with
required modifications is not expected to be material to our financial position.
To date the Company has spent an estimated $5 million on this Project. Total
budgeted cost at this time is estimated at $28 million of which $20 million
represents the cost of staff and consultants to perform the Project and $8
million is the cost of software tools for discovery and testing as well as
expenditures to replace older products that cannot be made Y2K compliant. The
sources of funding for this Project are from fiscal operating and working
capital budgets. None of the Company's other mission critical information
projects have been delayed due to the implementation of the Y2K Project.
FUTURE ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 ("FAS 130"),
"Reporting Comprehensive Income," which the Company will be required to adopt
during the first quarter of fiscal year 1999. This statement will require the
Company to report in the financial statements, in addition to net income,
comprehensive income and its components including, as applicable, foreign
currency items, minimum pension liability adjustments and unrealized gains and
losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities. Upon adoption, the
Company will also be required to reclassify financial statements for earlier
periods provided for comparative purposes. The Company currently expects that
the effect of adoption of FAS 130 may be primarily from foreign currency
translation adjustments and has not yet determined the manner in which
comprehensive income will be displayed.
In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 131 ("FAS 131"), "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information," which the Company will be required to adopt for fiscal
year 1999. This statement establishes standards for reporting information about
operating segments in annual financial statements and requires selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to
shareholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about
products and services, geographic areas and major customers. Under FAS 131,
operating segments are to be determined consistent with the way that management
organizes and evaluates financial information internally for making operating
decisions and assessing performance. The Company has not determined the impact
of the adoption of this new accounting standard on its consolidated financial
statement disclosures.
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 133 ("FAS 133"), "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," which the Company will be required to adopt for fiscal year
2000. This statement establishes a new model for accounting for derivatives and
hedging activities. Under FAS 133, all derivatives must be recognized as assets
and liabilities and measured at fair value. The Company has not determined the
impact of the adoption of this new accounting standard on its consolidated
financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 7. (A) QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
MARKET RISK FACTORS
INTEREST RATE MARKET RISK. The Company has fixed income investments
consisting of cash equivalents, short-term investments in marketable debt
securities, and finance receivables. See Notes 4 and 3 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements for information about investments in marketable debt
securities and finance receivables, respectively. The Company's bank lines of
credit are at variable interest rates. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for information about the bank lines of credit.
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Interest income earned on the Company's short-term investment
portfolio is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates,
while interest income earned on long-term investments are not affected in the
near term. The Company believes that it is not exposed to significant changes in
fair value because such investments are classified as held to maturity. The fair
value of each investment approximates its amortized cost, and long-term
securities have maturities of less than two years.
Interest earned on certain finance receivables is at variable
interest rates and is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest
rates. The Company's practice is to fund these receivables with variable
interest rate debt to minimize the effects of interest rate changes.
Interest expense is affected by the general level of U.S. interest
rates and/or LIBOR. Increases in interest expense resulting from an increase in
interest rates would be offset by a corresponding increase in interest earned on
the Company's short-term investments in debt securities.
Distributions on Trust Convertible Preferred Securities are not
affected by changes in interest rates because they accrue distributions at a
fixed 5 3/4%. The Company believes that it is not exposed to significant changes
in fair value because of the fixed redemption price of the preferred securities.
The fixed and convertibility features are described in Note 7 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table provides information about the Company's
financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For the
Company's investment portfolio and bank lines of credit, the table presents
principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected
maturity dates. Additionally, the Company has assumed that its short-term
investments are similar enough to aggregate those securities for presentation
purposes.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Principal Amount by Expected Maturity
Average Interest Rate
(Dollars in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THERE- FAIR VALUE
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 AFTER TOTAL 9/30/98
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Held to maturity investments ........... $127 $127 $127
Interest rate .......................... 6.3%
Finance receivables:
Fixed rate ........................... $ 8 $ 46 $ 52 $ 4 $ 4 $ 8 $122 $109
Interest rate ........................ 8.59% 6.35% 5.92% 8.50% 8.50% 8.50%
Variable rate ($) .................... $ 48 $ 33 $ 36 $ 52 $ 27 $ 31 $227 $227
Margin over LIBOR .................... 3.00% 3.00% 3.12% 3.79% 3.07% 3.00%
Bank lines of credit ................... $151 $151 $151
Margin over LIBOR ...................... 3.25%
</TABLE>
EQUITY PRICE RISK. The Company has recorded derivative instruments
in connection with the Leap Wireless Spin-off, including (a) an effective call
option related to Leap Wireless' obligation to issue approximately 2.3 million
shares of common stock to holders of QUALCOMM Trust Convertible Preferred
Securities for no consideration; and (b) a warrant received by the Company to
purchase 5.5 million shares of Leap Wireless common stock at $6.10625 per share.
See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the
Company's accounting policies for these instruments. See Notes 2 and 7 for
further information about the warrant and call option, respectively. The
recorded and fair values of these derivatives total $28.1 million and $12.7
million, respectively, at September 30, 1998. The estimated fair value of these
derivatives would decrease by approximately 10% as of year-end 1999 if the price
of the Leap Wireless stock were to decrease by 10%. This hypothetical decrease
is suggestive of the effect on fair values, but not on future cash flows. First,
the issuance of Leap Wireless common stock to holders of QUALCOMM Trust
Convertible Preferred Securities will not affect the cash flows of the Company.
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Second, the Company will pay a fixed price per share if its warrant to purchase
Leap Wireless common stock is exercised. These instruments are held for purposes
other than trading, and the option is nontransferable.
The Company's investments in other entities consist substantially of
investments accounted for under the equity and cost methods which are
predominantly closely held and not publicly traded. Accordingly, the Company
believes that its exposure to market risk from these investments is not
material.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET RISK. See Note 1 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements for a description of the Company's currency translation and
transaction accounting policies and information about the Company's currency
exposure management practices held for purposes other than trading.
Foreign exchange financial instruments that are subject to the
effects of currency fluctuations which may affect reported earnings include
derivative financial instruments held for purposes other than trading,
consisting primarily of forward contracts, and other financial instruments which
are not denominated in the currency of the legal entity holding the instruments,
consisting of accounts payable and receivable and long-term financing
obligations of an equity investee. At September 30, 1998, the Company had no
foreign currency forward contracts outstanding. Accounts payable and receivable
are reflected at fair value in the financial statements. The Company's interest
in the fair value of the long-term financing obligations of an equity investee
would increase by $1.7 million as of year-end 1999 if the U.S. dollar were to
appreciate against the other currency by 10%. This hypothetical amount is
suggestive of the effect on fair value, but not on future cash flows assuming
that the equity investee will be able to meet its financing obligation.
The Company provides vendor financing on infrastructure equipment
and service sales to certain customers. At September 30, 1998, finance
receivables from international customers totaled $291 million. Because the
Company's vendor financing is dollar denominated, any significant change in the
value of the dollar against the customers' functional currencies could result in
an increase in the customer's interest expense and cash flow requirements and
could thereby affect the ability of the Company to collect its finance
receivables.
The analysis methods used by the Company to assess and mitigate risk
discussed above should not be considered projections of future risks.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company's consolidated financial statements at September 30,
1998 and 1997 and the Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent
Accountants, are included in this report on Form 10-K on pages F-1 through F-24.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Information regarding Directors is incorporated by reference to the
section entitled "Election of Directors" in the QUALCOMM Incorporated definitive
Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on February 23,
1999 (the "Proxy Statement"). Information regarding Executive Officers is set
forth in Item 1 of Part I of this Report under the caption "Executive Officers
of the Registrant."
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference
to the Proxy Statement under the heading "Executive Compensation."
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
38
<PAGE> 43
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference
to the Proxy Statement under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management."
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference
to the Proxy Statement under the heading "Certain Transactions."
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
NUMBER
<S> <C> <C>
(a) Documents filed as part of the report:
(1) Report of Independent Accountants F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1998 and 1997 F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income for Fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for Fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6
(2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S-1
</TABLE>
Financial statement schedules other than those listed above have
been omitted because they are either not required, not applicable or the
information is otherwise included.
39
<PAGE> 44
EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number Description
- ------ -----------
<S> <C>
2.1 Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of September 23, 1998,
between the Company and Leap Wireless International, Inc.(20)
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation.(1)
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation.(7)
3.3 Certificate of Designation of Preferences.(15)
3.4 Bylaws.(2)
3.5 Amendment of the Bylaws.(17)
4.1 Certificate of Trust of QUALCOMM Financial Trust I, filed with the
Delaware Secretary of State on February 7, 1997.(16)
4.2 Declaration of Trust of QUALCOMM Financial Trust I, dated as of
February 7, 1997, among QUALCOMM Incorporated, as Sponsor, Wilmington
Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee and Property Trustee, and Irwin
Mark Jacobs, Harvey P. White, and Anthony Thornley, as Regular
Trustees.(16)
4.3 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of QUALCOMM Financial Trust
I, dated as of February 35, 1997, among QUALCOMM Incorporated, as
Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee and Property
Trustee, and Irwin Mark Jacobs, Harvey P. White, and Anthony Thornley,
as Regular Trustees.(16)
4.4 Indenture for the 5-3/4% Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities,
dated as of February 25, 1997, among QUALCOMM Incorporated and
Wilmington Trust company, as Indenture Trustee.(16)
4.5 Form of 5-3/4% Trust Convertible Preferred Securities (Included in
Annex 1 to Exhibit 4.3 above).(16)
4.6 Form of 5-3/4% Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities (Included in
Annex 1 to Exhibit 4.3 above).(16)
4.7 Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of February 25,
1997, between QUALCOMM Incorporated, as Guarantor, and Wilmington
Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee.(16)
10.1 Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Company, each director and
certain officers.(2)(14)
10.2 1991 Stock Option Plan, as amended.(10)(14)
10.3 Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant under the 1991 Stock Option
Plan.(2)(14)
10.4 Form of Supplemental Stock Option Grant under the 1991 Stock Option
Plan.(2)(14)
10.5 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(11)(14)
10.6 Form of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Offering under the 1991 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.(2)(14)
10.7 Registration Rights Agreement dated September 11, 1991 between the
Company and various Stockholders.(2)
10.8 Satellite Service Agreement dated March 5, 1991 between the Company
and GTE Spacenet Corporation.(2)(3)
10.9 Joint Venture Agreement dated January 24, 1990 between the Company and
Alcatel Transmission par Faisceaux Hertizens.(2)(3)
10.10 Agreement dated April 17, 1989 between the Company and PACTEL
Corporation.(2)(3)
</TABLE>
40
<PAGE> 45
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------ -----------
<S> <C>
10.11 CDMA Technology Agreement and related Patent License Agreement, each
dated July 3, 1990 between the Company and American Telephone &
Telegraph Company.(2)(3)
10.12 DS-CDMA Technology Agreement and related Patent License Agreement,
each dated September 26, 1990 between the Company and MOTOROLA, Inc.
(2)(3)
10.13 JSM Shareholders Agreement dated May 24, 1991 between the Company, C.
Itoh, Ltd. and Nippon Steel Corporation.(2)(3)
10.14 401(k) Plan.(2)
10.15 Amendments dated January 15, 1992 and February 7, 1992 to that certain
Technology Agreement dated July 3, 1990 with American Telephone &
Telegraph Company.(4)
10.16 Amendment dated January 21, 1992 to that certain Technology Agreement
dated September 26, 1990 with MOTOROLA, Inc.(4)(5)
10.17 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Directors'
Plan").(14)(15)
10.18 Form of Stock Option Grant under the Directors' Plan, with related
schedule.(6)(14)
10.19 Joint Venture and Partnership Agreement dated February 25, 1994
between QUALCOMM Investment Company and Sony Electronic CDMA
Investment, Inc.(7)(8)
10.20 Contract dated March 18, 1994 between the Company and Globalstar,
L.P.(7)(8)
10.21 Executive Retirement Matching Contribution Plan.(12)(14)
10.22 1996 Non-qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(13)(14)
10.23 Stockholder Rights Plan.(9)
10.24 Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 25, 1997, between
QUALCOMM Financial Trust I and Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns & Co.,
Inc., Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and
Merrill Lynch & Co., as Initial Purchasers.(16)
10.25 Credit Agreement dated as of March 11, 1998, among QUALCOMM
Incorporated, as Borrower, the Lender Parties, Bank of America N.T.
& S.A., as Administrative Agent, Syndication Agent and Initial
Issuing Bank, and Citibank, N.A., as Documentation Agent and
Syndication Agent.(18)(19)
10.26 Warrant dated as of September 23, 1998 issued to the Company by Leap
Wireless International, Inc.(20)
10.27 Credit Agreement dated as of September 23, 1998 between the Company
and Leap Wireless International, Inc.(20)
10.28 Master Agreement Regarding Equipment Procurement dated as of September
23, 1998, between the Company and Leap Wireless International,
Inc.(20)
21 Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
24.1 Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page 46.
27.0 Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
- -------------
(1) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3
(No. 33-62724) or amendments thereto and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 33-42782) or amendments thereto and incorporated herein by reference.
41
<PAGE> 46
(3) Certain confidential portions deleted pursuant to Order Granting
Application or Confidential Treatment issued in connection with
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-42782) effective December 12,
1991.
(4) Filed as exhibit to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 27, 1992.
(5) Certain confidential portions deleted pursuant to Order Granting
Application for Confidential Treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 dated March 19, 1993.
(6) Filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 26, 1993.
(7) Filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 27, 1994, as amended.
(8) Certain confidential portions deleted pursuant to Order Granting
Application for Confidential Treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 dated July 7, 1994.
(9) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K current report dated as of
September 26, 1995.
(10) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (File No. 333-2754) filed on March 25, 1996.
(11) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (File No. 333-2756) filed on March 25, 1996.
(12) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (File No. 333-2752) filed on March 25, 1996.
(13) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (File No. 333-2750) filed on March 25, 1996.
(14) Indicates management or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be
identified pursuant to Item 14(c).
(15) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended September 29, 1996.
(16) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (No. 333-26069) or amendments thereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
(17) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended September 28, 1997.
(18) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 29, 1998.
(19) Certain confidential portions deleted pursuant to Order Granting
Application for Confidential Treatment pursuant to Rule 246-Z under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 dated July 14, 1998.
(20) Filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended
filed by Leap Wireless International, Inc. (File No. O-29752) and
incorporated herein by reference.
42
<PAGE> 47
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
November 23, 1998
QUALCOMM Incorporated
By /s/ IRWIN MARK JACOBS
-------------------------------
Irwin Mark Jacobs,
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all persons by these presents, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Irwin Mark Jacobs and Richard Sulpizio,
and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place, and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Report,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their or his substitute or
substituted, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ IRWIN MARK JACOBS Chief Executive Officer and Chairman November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------ (Principal Executive Officer)
Irwin Mark Jacobs
/s/ ANDREW J. VITERBI Vice-Chairman November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Andrew J. Viterbi
/s/ ANTHONY S. THORNLEY Executive Senior Vice President, November 23, 1998
- -------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Anthony S. Thornley Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ RICHARD C. ATKINSON Director November 23, 1998
- -------------------------------
Richard C. Atkinson
/s/ ADELIA A. COFFMAN Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Adelia A. Coffman
/s/ JEROME S. KATZIN Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Jerome S. Katzin
/s/ NEIL KADISHA Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Neil Kadisha
/s/ DUANE A. NELLES Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Duane A. Nelles
/s/ PETER M. SACERDOTE Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Peter M. Sacerdote
/s/ MARC I. STERN Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
</TABLE>
43
<PAGE> 48
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Marc I. Stern
/s/ BRENT SCOWCROFT Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Brent Scowcroft
/s/ FRANK SAVAGE Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Frank Savage
/s/ ROBERT E. KAHN Director November 23, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Robert E. Kahn
</TABLE>
44
<PAGE> 49
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of QUALCOMM Incorporated
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index
appearing under Item 14(a)(1) and (2) on page 39 present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of QUALCOMM Incorporated and its subsidiaries
at September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 1998,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
San Diego, California
October 30, 1998
F-1
<PAGE> 50
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------
1998 1997
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents .......................................... $ 175,846 $ 248,837
Investments ........................................................ 127,478 448,235
Accounts receivable, net ........................................... 612,209 445,382
Finance receivables ................................................ 56,201 111,501
Inventories, net ................................................... 386,536 225,156
Other current assets ............................................... 178,950 70,484
---------- ----------
Total current assets .............................................. 1,537,220 1,549,595
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET ................................... 609,682 425,090
INVESTMENTS .......................................................... -- 111,786
FINANCE RECEIVABLES, NET ............................................. 287,751 --
OTHER ASSETS ......................................................... 132,060 188,209
---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS ......................................................... $2,566,713 $2,274,680
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ........................... $ 660,428 $ 409,156
Unearned revenue ................................................... 67,123 45,084
Bank lines of credit ............................................... 151,000 110,000
Current portion of long-term debt .................................. 3,058 3,238
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities ......................................... 881,609 567,478
LONG-TERM DEBT, LESS CURRENT PORTION ................................. 3,863 7,729
OTHER LIABILITIES .................................................... 25,115 15,295
---------- ----------
Total liabilities ................................................. 910,587 590,502
---------- ----------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 12)
MINORITY INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES (NOTE 11) ............. 38,530 --
---------- ----------
COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE TRUST CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED
SECURITIES OF A SUBSIDIARY TRUST HOLDING SOLELY DEBT SECURITIES OF
THE COMPANY ....................................................... 660,000 660,000
---------- ----------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; issuable in series; 8,000 shares
authorized; none outstanding in 1998 and 1997 .................... -- --
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized;
70,591 and 68,124 shares issued and outstanding in
1998 and 1997 .................................................... 7 7
Paid-in capital .................................................... 957,589 906,373
Retained earnings .................................................. -- 117,798
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity ........................................ 957,596 1,024,178
---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ........................... $2,566,713 $2,274,680
========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-2
<PAGE> 51
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES:
Communications systems ......................... $ 2,863,092 $ 1,733,169 $ 582,953
Contract services .............................. 270,388 211,661 131,022
License, royalty and development fees .......... 214,390 151,535 99,875
----------- ----------- -----------
Total revenues ......................... 3,347,870 2,096,365 813,850
----------- ----------- -----------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Communications systems ......................... 2,136,297 1,361,641 445,481
Contract services .............................. 197,102 156,365 90,380
Research and development ....................... 349,483 235,922 162,340
Selling and marketing .......................... 246,975 147,040 74,114
General and administrative ..................... 163,372 89,148 48,971
Other (Note 1) ................................. 11,976 8,792 --
----------- ----------- -----------
Total operating expenses ............... 3,105,205 1,998,908 821,286
----------- ----------- -----------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) .......................... 242,665 97,457 (7,436)
INTEREST INCOME .................................. 39,484 34,845 24,239
INTEREST EXPENSE ................................. (8,058) (11,012) (3,354)
NET GAIN ON SALE OF INVESTMENTS .................. 2,950 13,400 --
WRITE-OFF OF INVESTMENT IN OTHER ENTITY .......... (20,000) -- --
DISTRIBUTIONS ON TRUST CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED
SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY TRUST ................ (39,270) (23,277) --
MINORITY INTEREST IN (INCOME) LOSS OF CONSOLIDATED
SUBSIDIARIES .................................. (48,366) (2,979) 13,178
EQUITY IN LOSSES OF INVESTEES .................... (20,731) -- --
----------- ----------- -----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ....................... 148,674 108,434 26,627
INCOME TAX EXPENSE ............................... (40,142) (16,500) (5,600)
----------- ----------- -----------
NET INCOME ....................................... $ 108,532 $ 91,934 $ 21,027
=========== =========== ===========
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic .......................................... $ 1.57 $ 1.37 $ 0.32
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted ........................................ $ 1.47 $ 1.28 $ 0.30
=========== =========== ===========
SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION:
Basic .......................................... 69,203 67,335 65,558
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted ........................................ 73,962 71,887 70,335
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE> 52
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income ........................................... $ 108,532 $ 91,934 $ 21,027
Depreciation and amortization ........................ 141,892 93,598 56,817
Acquired in-process research and development ......... 6,976 -- --
Non-cash charge for impaired assets .................. 5,000 8,792 --
Gain on sale of trading securities ................... -- (13,400) --
Write-off of investment in other entity .............. 20,000 -- --
Minority interest in income (loss) of
consolidated subsidiaries .......................... 48,366 2,979 (13,178)
Equity in losses of investees ........................ 20,731 -- --
Deferred income taxes ................................ 18,237 (21,531) --
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:
Accounts receivable, net .......................... (166,827) (227,949) (134,700)
Finance receivables, net .......................... (232,451) (111,501) --
Inventories ....................................... (161,380) (53,645) (127,501)
Other assets ...................................... (110,770) (34,260) (11,550)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities .......... 245,168 179,357 134,030
Unearned revenue .................................. 22,039 31,858 5,013
Other liabilities ................................. 9,820 11,745 926
Proceeds from sale of trading securities ............. -- 23,129 --
Purchase of trading securities ....................... -- (9,729) --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used by operating activities .................. (24,667) (28,623) (69,116)
--------- --------- ---------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures ................................. (321,566) (163,115) (216,554)
Purchases of investments ............................. (269,833) (978,745) (587,898)
Maturities of investments ............................ 702,376 662,862 422,127
Issuance of notes receivable ......................... (124,765) -- (25,000)
Collection of note receivable ........................ -- -- 9,602
Purchases of intangible assets ....................... (12,987) -- (3,843)
Investments in other entities ........................ (107,225) (57,887) (6,500)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used by investing activities .................. (134,000) (536,885) (408,066)
--------- --------- ---------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Spin-off of Leap Wireless International, Inc. ........ (10,000) -- --
Net borrowings under bank lines of credit ............ 41,000 29,300 80,700
Proceeds from issuance of trust convertible
preferred securities of subsidiary trust ........... -- 660,000 --
Deferred offering costs .............................. (914) (18,624) --
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock ........... 49,825 32,519 23,615
Other items, net ..................................... 5,765 1,007 (17,619)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities .............. 85,676 704,202 86,696
--------- --------- ---------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(72,991) 138,694 (390,486)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR ......... 248,837 110,143 500,629
--------- --------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR ............... $ 175,846 $ 248,837 $ 110,143
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE> 53
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK
----------------------------- PAID-IN RETAINED
SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 .......... 64,693 $ 6 $ 794,774 $ 4,837 $ 799,617
Exercise of stock options .............. 1,510 1 14,277 -- 14,278
Tax benefit from exercise of stock
options ............................. -- -- 654 -- 654
Issuance for Employee Stock
Purchase and Executive Retirement
Plans ............................... 332 -- 9,337 -- 9,337
Net income ............................. -- -- -- 21,027 21,027
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 .......... 66,535 7 819,042 25,864 844,913
Exercise of stock options .............. 1,208 -- 19,979 -- 19,979
Tax benefit from exercise of stock
options (Note 9) .................... -- -- 54,812 -- 54,812
Issuance for Employee Stock
Purchase and Executive Retirement
Plans ............................... 381 -- 12,540 -- 12,540
Net income ............................. -- -- -- 91,934 91,934
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 .......... 68,124 7 906,373 117,798 1,024,178
Exercise of stock options .............. 1,290 -- 30,417 -- 30,417
Tax benefit from exercise of stock
options ............................. -- -- 17,125 -- 17,125
Issuance of common stock upon exercise
of warrant (Note 8) ................. 705 -- -- -- --
Issuance for Employee Stock Purchase and
Executive Retirement Plans .......... 472 -- 19,408 -- 19,408
Spin-off of Leap Wireless International,
Inc. (Note 2) ....................... -- -- (15,734) (226,330) (242,064)
Net income ............................. -- -- -- 108,532 108,532
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 .......... 70,591 $ 7 $ 957,589 $ -- $ 957,596
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE> 54
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company
QUALCOMM Incorporated (the "Company" or "QUALCOMM"), a Delaware corporation,
designs, develops, manufactures, and markets wireless communications,
infrastructure, and subscriber equipment, and designs, develops and markets
ASICs, based on its CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology. The Company
also licenses and receives royalty payments on its CDMA technology from major
domestic and international telecommunications suppliers. In addition, the
Company designed and is manufacturing, distributing and operating OmniTRACS, a
satellite-based, two-way mobile communications and tracking system for
transportation companies and other customers. The Company also has contracts
with Globalstar L.P., a partnership formed to build and operate a worldwide,
low-Earth orbit satellite-based wireless digital telecommunications system, to
design, develop and manufacture subscriber equipment and gateways and to provide
contract development services.
Principles of Consolidation
The Company's consolidated financial statements include the assets,
liabilities and results of operations of majority-owned subsidiaries. The
ownership of the other interest holders is reflected as minority interest. All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Financial Statement Preparation
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain
prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year
presentation.
Fiscal Year
The Company operates and reports using a fiscal year ending on the last
Sunday in September. As a result of this practice, fiscal 1996 includes 53
weeks. The additional week of activity occurred in the first quarter of fiscal
1996. For presentation purposes, the Company has indicated its fiscal year as
ending on September 30.
Revenues
Revenue from communications systems and products is generally recognized at
the time the units are shipped and over the period during which message and
warranty services are provided, except for shipments under arrangements
involving significant acceptance requirements. Under such arrangements, revenue
is recognized when the Company has substantially met its performance
obligations. Other criteria considered for the purpose of revenue recognition
include the customer's financial condition, the amount and quality of financial
support provided by the customer's investors, and the political and economic
environment in which the customer operates. Revenue from long-term contracts and
revenue earned under license and development agreements with continuing
performance obligations is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method,
based either on costs incurred to date compared with total estimated costs at
completion or using a units of delivery methodology. Billings on uncompleted
contracts in excess of incurred cost and accrued profits are classified as
unearned revenue. Estimated contract losses are recognized when determined.
Non-refundable license fees are recognized when there is no material continuing
performance obligation under the agreement and collection is probable.
Royalty revenue is recorded as earned in accordance with the specific terms
of each license agreement when reasonable estimates of such amounts can be made.
Beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company
F-6
<PAGE> 55
began to accrue its estimate of certain royalty revenues earned that previously
could not be reasonably estimated prior to being reported by its licensees.
Concentrations
A significant portion of the Company's CDMA revenues are concentrated with a
limited number of customers because the worldwide market for wireless telephone
systems and products is dominated by a small number of large corporations and
government agencies. The Company also derives significant revenues from the
North American trucking industry, particularly providers of long-haul
transportation of goods and equipment.
Revenues from international customers which consisted of export sales,
including license and royalty fees, to customers outside of the U.S. were
approximately 34%, 30% and 36% of total revenues in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The 1998, 1997 and 1996 revenues included $697 million, $522
million and $221 million from Asia, respectively. During fiscal 1998, 1997 and
1996, revenues from Globalstar (Note 11) accounted for 11%, 10% and 15% of
revenues, respectively. During fiscal 1998, revenues from one Korean customer
accounted for 11% of revenues.
At September 30, 1998, the Company has approximately $19 million in
Russian/Ukrainian receivables and a further $30 million in products and
deployment services placed with carriers in Russia and Ukraine during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1998 for which revenue has not been recognized. The Company
will continue to monitor the underlying economics of business in that region, as
well as other regions affected by the continuing world economic conditions.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash
equivalents include money market funds, commercial paper and loan
participations. The carrying amount approximates the fair value due to the short
maturity of these instruments.
The Company's policy is to place its cash, cash equivalents and investments
with high credit quality financial institutions, government agencies and
corporate entities and to limit the amount of credit exposure.
Investments
Management determines the appropriate classification of marketable debt and
equity securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation as
of each balance sheet date. At September 30, 1998 and 1997, the Company's
investment portfolio consisted of marketable debt securities classified as
held-to-maturity and is carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair
value.
Warrants
The Company holds warrants to purchase equity interests in other companies.
Typically, such warrants result from equity investment activities. During 1998,
the Company received a warrant in connection with the Leap Wireless Spin-off
(Note 2). Warrants are carried at cost.
Call Option
The Company holds a nontransferable, effective call option related to Leap
Wireless's obligation to issue common stock to holders of QUALCOMM Trust
Convertible Preferred Securities upon the conversion of such securities (Note
7). The option is recorded at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses
related to changes in the estimated fair value of this option are reported in
the statement of income.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in,
first-out method.
F-7
<PAGE> 56
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated or
amortized using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. Buildings
and building improvements are depreciated over thirty years and fifteen years,
respectively. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their
estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the related lease. Other
property, plant and equipment have useful lives ranging from two to five years.
Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals and betterments are charged to expense.
Investments in Other Entities
Investments in corporate entities with less than 20% voting interest are
accounted for under the cost method. The Company uses the equity method to
account for investments in corporate entities in which it has voting interest of
20% to 50% or in which it otherwise has the ability to exercise significant
influence and for less than 50.1% ownership interests in partnerships. Under the
equity method, the investment is originally recorded at cost and adjusted to
recognize the Company's share of net earnings or losses of the investee, limited
to the extent of the Company's investment in, advances to and financial
guarantees for the investee.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at cost and amortized over their estimated
useful lives, which currently range from three to twenty years.
During November 1997, the Company acquired, for approximately $10 million,
substantially all the assets of Now Software, Inc., a developer of advanced
scheduling and calendaring software products. In connection with this asset
purchase, acquired in-process research and development of $7 million,
representing the fair value of software products still in the development stage
that had not yet reached technological feasibility, was expensed at the
acquisition date.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
total amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be
recognized when estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of
the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount.
During fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a $5 million non-cash charge to
operations relating to the impairment of leased manufacturing equipment. The $5
million charge represents the estimated total cost of related lease obligations,
net of estimated recoveries. During fiscal 1997, the Company recorded an $8.8
million non-cash charge to operations relating to the impairment of certain
long-lived assets. The $8.8 million charge represents the total carrying value
of these assets and related net disposition costs.
Stock Options
The Company measures compensation expense for its stock-based employee and
non-employee directors compensation plans using the intrinsic value method and
provides pro forma disclosures of net income and net earnings per common share
as if the fair value based method had been applied in measuring compensation
expense.
Foreign Currency
Local currencies are generally considered to be the functional currency for
operations outside the United States, except in countries treated as highly
inflationary. Assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates;
income and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing
during the year. The functional currency of the Company's foreign investees that
operate in highly inflationary economies is the U.S. dollar. The monetary assets
and liabilities of these foreign investees are translated into U.S. dollars at
the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues, expenses, gains
and losses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period, and
non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical rates.
Resulting remeasurement gains or losses of
F-8
<PAGE> 57
these foreign investees are recognized in the statement of income. The effects
of translating the financial position and results of operations of local
currency operations have not been significant to the Company's consolidated
financial statements.
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge foreign
currency transactions and probable anticipated foreign currency transactions.
The principal currency hedged is the Japanese yen over periods of up to three
months. Gains and losses arising from foreign currency forward contracts offset
gains and losses resulting from the underlying hedged transaction.
Forward contracts designated to hedge foreign currency transaction exposure
of approximately $7.8 million were outstanding as of September 30, 1997. The
Company had no foreign currency forward contracts outstanding as of September
30, 1998 or 1996.
During fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, net foreign currency transaction gains
included in the Company's statement of income totaled approximately $5.6
million, $0.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
Income Taxes
Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be
payable for the current year, prior to the recognition of benefits from stock
option deductions. A deferred tax asset and/or liability is computed for both
the expected future impact of differences between the financial statement and
tax bases of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to
be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. Valuation allowances are
established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected
to be "more likely than not" realized in future tax returns. Tax law and rate
changes are reflected in income in the period such changes are enacted.
Investment tax credits are reflected as a reduction of income tax expense using
the flow through method in the year in which they are earned.
Net Earnings Per Common Share
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128
("FAS 128"), "Earnings per Share" in the first quarter of fiscal 1998. FAS 128
superseded Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15 ("APB 15"), "Earnings per
Share" and replaced the primary and fully diluted earnings per share ("EPS")
computations pursuant to APB 15 with basic and diluted EPS. Earnings per share
data presented for the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 have been
restated for comparative purposes.
Under FAS 128, basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing
net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the reporting period. Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential
dilutive effect, determined by the treasury stock method, of additional common
shares that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and
warrants, as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
-----------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Options 4,124 3,860 4,095
Warrants 635 692 682
----- ----- -----
4,759 4,552 4,777
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
Options outstanding during the years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996
to purchase approximately 3,580,000, 1,763,000 and 1,252,000 shares of common
stock, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because
the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the
common stock during the period and, therefore, the effect would be
anti-dilutive. The conversion of the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities
(Note 7) is not assumed for purposes of computing diluted EPS for fiscal 1998
and 1997 since its effect would be anti-dilutive.
F-9
<PAGE> 58
FUTURE ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 ("FAS 130"), "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," which the Company will be required to adopt in the first
quarter of fiscal 1999. This statement will require the Company to report in the
financial statements, in addition to net income, comprehensive income and its
components including, as applicable, foreign currency items, minimum pension
liability adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in
debt and equity securities. Upon adoption, the Company will also be required to
reclassify financial statements for earlier periods provided for comparative
purposes. The Company currently expects that the effect of adoption of FAS 130
would be primarily from foreign currency translation adjustments, and has not
yet determined the manner in which comprehensive income will be displayed.
In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 131 ("FAS 131"), "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information," which the Company will be required to adopt for fiscal year 1999.
This statement establishes standards for reporting information about operating
segments in annual financial statements and requires selected information about
operating segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders. It also
establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas and major customers. Under FAS 131, operating segments are to
be determined consistent with the way that management organizes and evaluates
financial information internally for making operating decisions and assessing
performance. The Company has not determined the impact of the adoption of this
new accounting standard on its consolidated financial statement disclosures.
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 133 ("FAS 133"), "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities," which the Company will be required to adopt for fiscal year 2000.
This statement establishes a new model for accounting for derivatives and
hedging activities. Under FAS 133, all derivatives must be recognized as assets
and liabilities and measured at fair value. The Company has not determined the
impact of the adoption of this new accounting standard on its consolidated
financial position or results of operations.
NOTE 2. SPIN-OFF OF LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
On September 23, 1998, the Company completed the spin-off and distribution
(the "Distribution" or "Leap Wireless Spin-off") to its stockholders of shares
of Leap Wireless International, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Leap Wireless").
As part of the Distribution, effective immediately after the close of market
trading on September 23, 1998, record holders of QUALCOMM common stock on
September 11, 1998 received a dividend of one share of common stock of Leap
Wireless for every four shares of common stock of QUALCOMM held by them as of
that date.
In connection with the Distribution, the Company transferred to Leap
Wireless its joint venture and equity interests in the following domestic and
international emerging terrestrial-based wireless telecommunications operating
companies: Pegaso Telecomunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. ("Pegaso") (Mexico),
Metrosvyaz Limited (Russia), Orrengrove Investments Limited (Russia), Chilesat
Telefonia Personal, S.A. (Chile), Chase Telecommunications, Inc. (United
States), OzPhone Pty. Ltd. (Australia), and certain other development-stage
businesses. QUALCOMM and Leap Wireless also agreed that, if certain events occur
within 18 months after the Distribution, QUALCOMM will transfer to Leap Wireless
its equity interests and working capital loan related to Telesystems of Ukraine
("TOU"), a wireless telecommunications company in Ukraine. In connection with
the Distribution, QUALCOMM also transferred to Leap Wireless, $10 million cash
and certain indebtedness of the operating companies owed to QUALCOMM in the
amount of approximately $113 million, as well as certain miscellaneous assets.
The aggregate net tangible book value of the assets transferred by QUALCOMM to
Leap Wireless in connection with the Distribution was approximately $258
million. Because the Company recorded certain assets and a liability related to
its agreement to transfer TOU in connection with the Leap Wireless Spin-off,
offsetting the Distribution, equity was reduced by approximately $242 million.
Leap Wireless has agreed to assume certain of QUALCOMM's other obligations
to manage operations of and finance costs relating to ongoing build-outs of the
wireless telecommunications systems being deployed by such
F-10
<PAGE> 59
operating companies, including approximately $73.8 million of anticipated
funding obligations to certain of the operating companies, other than equipment
financing obligations, as well as certain miscellaneous liabilities. QUALCOMM
will continue to be a supplier of CDMA equipment and is expected to provide
significant vendor financing to Leap Wireless's wireless telecommunications
businesses and ventures.
Leap Wireless entered into a secured credit facility with the Company. The
credit facility consists of two sub-facilities. The first sub-facility enables
Leap Wireless to borrow up to $35.2 million from the Company. The proceeds from
this sub-facility may be used by Leap Wireless solely to meet the normal working
capital and operating expenses of Leap Wireless, including salaries and
overhead, but excluding, among other things, strategic capital investments in
wireless operators, substantial acquisitions of capital equipment, and/or the
acquisition of telecommunications licenses. The other sub-facility enables Leap
Wireless to borrow up to $229.8 million from the Company. The proceeds from this
second sub-facility may be used by Leap Wireless solely to make certain
identified portfolio investments
Amounts borrowed under the credit facility will be due and payable
approximately eight years following the Distribution date. The Company will have
a first priority security interest in, subject to some exceptions, substantially
all of the assets of Leap Wireless for so long as any amounts are outstanding
under the credit facility. Amounts borrowed under the credit facility will bear
interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 5.25% per annum. Interest will
be payable quarterly beginning September 30, 2001; and prior to such time,
accrued interest shall be added to the principal amount outstanding. At
September 30, 1998, $5.3 million is outstanding under the credit facility. The
recorded amount approximates fair value due to the variable interest rate.
As a result of the Distribution, QUALCOMM and Leap Wireless will operate as
independent publicly traded companies, with no common officers or directors. In
connection with the Distribution, however, Leap Wireless issued to QUALCOMM a
warrant to purchase 5,500,000 shares of Leap Wireless common stock at a purchase
price equal to the average of the last sales price per share of the Leap
Wireless common stock on the NASDAQ National Market for each of the five
consecutive trading days beginning with and including the date of the
Distribution, or $6.10625 per share. The Company recorded the warrant at its
predecessor basis of $24.2 million net of the related deferred tax liability.
The predecessor basis is an estimate of the Company's potential ownership
interest in the book value of net assets transferred to Leap Wireless. The
warrant is included in other noncurrent assets. The estimated fair value of the
warrant at September 30, 1998 is approximately $8.8 million based on the
application of the Black-Scholes option pricing model which incorporates current
stock price, expected stock price volatility, expected interest rates, and the
expected holding period of the warrant.
NOTE 3. FINANCE RECEIVABLES
Finance receivables result from sales under arrangements in which the
Company has agreed to provide customers with long-term interest bearing debt
financing for the purchase of equipment and/or services. Such financing is
generally collateralized by the related equipment. Finance receivables at
September 30 were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1998 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Finance receivables ............... $ 348,907 $ 111,501
Allowance for doubtful receivables (4,955) --
--------- ---------
343,952 111,501
Current maturities ................ 56,201 111,501
--------- ---------
Noncurrent finance receivables, net $ 287,751 $ --
========= =========
</TABLE>
In March 1998, the Company agreed to defer up to $100 million of contract
payments, with interest accruing at 5 3/4% capitalized quarterly, as customer
financing under its development contract with Globalstar L.P. ("Globalstar").
Financed amounts outstanding as of January 1, 2000, will be repaid in eight
equal quarterly installments commencing as of that date, with final payment due
October 1, 2001, accompanied by all then unpaid accrued interest. At September
30, 1998, contract payments of approximately $89.7 million were outstanding from
Globalstar as interest bearing financed amounts. Subject to terms and
conditions, Globalstar is entitled to defer $4.2 million from each future
monthly development contract payment until the $100 million limit is reached.
F-11
<PAGE> 60
At September 30, 1997, the finance receivables of $111.5 million primarily
resulted from sales to one customer having the ability to convert outstanding
amounts into loans receivable with interest at selected market rates plus
applicable margin and with an eight year principal amortization term. During
fiscal 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to sell loans receivable from
the customer to a financial institution at par value on a non-recourse basis.
At September 30, 1998, the fair value of finance receivables approximates
$336 million. The recorded amount of finance receivables at September 30, 1997
approximates fair value. The fair value of finance receivables is estimated by
discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar
financing would be provided to similar customers for the same remaining
maturities.
Maturities of finance receivables at September 30, 1998 are as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
- --------------------------------
<S> <C>
1999 $ 56,201
2000 79,437
2001 87,808
2002 55,881
2003 30,696
Thereafter 38,884
-------------
$ 348,907
=============
</TABLE>
Vendor Finance Commitments
Unfunded commitments to extend long-term financing under sales arrangements
other than Globalstar at September 30, 1998 aggregated approximately $489
million. Such commitments are subject to the customers meeting certain
conditions established in the financing arrangements. Commitments represent the
estimated amounts to be financed under these arrangements, however, actual
financing may be in lesser or greater amounts.
Wireless network operators increasingly have required their suppliers to
arrange or provide long-term financing for them as a condition to obtaining
equipment and services contracts. As such, the Company may continue to enter
into significant future commitments to provide or guarantee long-term financing
for its customers.
NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS
At September 30, 1998 and 1997, all marketable debt securities were
classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. Investments
consisted of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
-----------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Current:
Certificates of deposit ... $ 1,388 $211,604
Commercial paper .......... 19,576 209,828
U.S. government securities 64,949 7,998
Corporate medium-term notes 41,565 18,805
-------- --------
$127,478 $448,235
======== ========
Noncurrent:
U.S. government securities $ -- $ 64,863
Corporate medium-term notes -- 46,923
-------- --------
$ -- $111,786
======== ========
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1998 and 1997, the estimated fair value of each investment
approximated its amortized cost and, therefore, there were no significant
unrealized gains or losses.
F-12
<PAGE> 61
NOTE 5. COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL STATEMENT CAPTIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
-----------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Accounts receivable, net:
Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
of $21,933 and $18,892, respectively ...... $459,324 $343,619
Long-term contracts:
Billed ................................... 101,868 53,159
Unbilled ................................. 49,784 32,230
Other ....................................... 1,233 16,374
-------- --------
$612,209 $445,382
======== ========
</TABLE>
The Company's trade receivables at September 30, 1998 and 1997 included 8%
and 10%, respectively, from customers in the trucking industry. Predominantly
all of the remaining trade receivables at September 30, 1998 and 1997 were from
customers in the wireless telecommunications industry.
Unbilled receivables represent costs and profits recorded in excess of
amounts billable pursuant to contract provisions and are expected to be realized
within one year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
-----------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Inventories, net:
Raw materials .......................................... $180,957 $118,516
Work-in-progress ....................................... 81,479 55,088
Finished goods ......................................... 124,100 51,552
-------- --------
$386,536 $225,156
======== ========
Property, Plant and Equipment, net:
Land ................................................... $ 36,310 $ 32,904
Buildings and improvements ............................. 250,883 165,850
Computer equipment ..................................... 340,623 232,119
Machinery and equipment ................................ 257,516 153,483
Furniture and office equipment ......................... 26,910 20,904
Leasehold improvements ................................. 27,074 20,764
-------- --------
939,316 626,024
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ......... 329,634 200,934
-------- --------
$609,682 $425,090
======== ========
Other Assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
of $2,914 and $6,697, respectively .................... $ 4,266 $ 2,473
Investments in other entities (Note 11) ................ 35,510 99,826
Warrant and call option (Note 2) ....................... 38,440 --
Net deferred tax assets ................................ 865 32,969
Stadium naming rights, net of amortization of $1,275 and
$375, respectively .................................... 16,725 17,625
Deferred offering costs (Note 7) ....................... 17,400 17,906
Other .................................................. 18,854 17,410
-------- --------
$132,060 $188,209
======== ========
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities:
Trade payables ......................................... $317,124 $216,660
Accrued payroll and related benefits ................... 77,777 58,297
Accrued warranty ....................................... 75,177 48,626
Other accrued liabilities .............................. 190,350 85,573
-------- --------
$660,428 $409,156
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE> 62
NOTE 6. DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES
On March 11, 1998, the Company and a group of banks entered into a $400
million unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") under which
the banks are committed to make loans to the Company and to extend letters of
credit on behalf of the Company. The Credit Facility expires in March 2001, and
may be extended on an annual basis thereafter, subject to approval of a
requisite percentage of the lenders. At the Company's option, interest is at the
applicable LIBOR rate or the greater of the administrative agent's reference
rate or 0.5% plus the Federal Funds effective rate, each plus an applicable
margin. The amount available for borrowing is reduced by letters of credit
outstanding. The Company is currently obligated to pay commitment fees equal to
0.3% per annum on the unused amount of the $400 million credit facility. The
Credit Facility includes certain restrictive financial and operating covenants.
The weighted average interest rate was 6.2% on outstanding borrowings of $80
million at September 30, 1998 and during fiscal 1998. At September 30, 1998,
there were $7.7 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit
Facility.
During July 1996, QPE (Note 11) entered into two separate $100 million
revolving credit facilities, each with identical terms, expiring in July 1997.
In July 1997 and again in July 1998, QPE and its existing lenders entered into
separate identical amendments pursuant to which the expiration date of both
credit facilities was extended to July 1998 and July 1999, respectively. In July
1998, QPE and its existing lenders reduced each of the two separate facilities
from $100 million to $75 million. Borrowings under the facilities, which are
drawn in equal amounts, totaled $71 million and $110 million at September 30,
1998 and 1997, respectively. The interest rate under the facilities is at the
applicable LIBOR rate plus 0.325%. The weighted average interest rate on
outstanding borrowings was 6.2% and 6.0% during fiscal 1998 and 1997,
respectively, and 6.4% and 6.0% at September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The credit facilities include covenants which, among other things, require QPE
to maintain a minimum tangible net worth. The credit facilities are non-recourse
to the Company and the minority interest holder in QPE and are collateralized by
QPE's accounts receivable which, at September 30, 1998, on a consolidated basis,
amounted to $63.3 million. Under the terms of the credit facilities, amounts
that QPE may borrow outside of the credit facilities are limited.
The fair value of the Company's bank lines of credit are estimated based on
comparison with similar issues or current rates offered to the Company for debt
of the same remaining maturities. At September 30, 1998 and 1997, the estimated
fair value of the Company's bank lines of credit approximated their carrying
value.
During fiscal 1996, QPE entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback
of certain manufacturing equipment with a net book value of approximately $10.2
million. There was no gain or loss realized as a result of the sale. The lease
has an approximate five-year term and is non-recourse to the Company and the
minority interest holder in QPE. It is classified as a capital lease in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, "Accounting
for Leases."
The annual principal installments for capital leases and other obligations
are $3.0 million in fiscal 1999, $3.1 million in 2000 and $0.8 million in 2001.
Cash amounts paid for interest were $10.8 million, $11.3 million and $3.9
million for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
NOTE 7. TRUST CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY
In February 1997, QUALCOMM Financial Trust I (the "Trust"), the Company's
wholly-owned subsidiary trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware,
completed a private placement of $660 million of 5 3/4% Trust Convertible
Preferred Securities ("Trust Convertible Preferred Securities"). The sole assets
of the Trust are QUALCOMM Incorporated 5 3/4% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures ("Convertible Subordinated Debentures") due February 24, 2012. The
obligations of the Trust related to the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities
are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. The Trust Convertible
Preferred Securities are convertible into Company common stock at the rate of
0.6882 shares of Company common stock for each Trust Convertible Preferred
Security (equivalent to a conversion price of $72.6563 per share of common
stock). Distributions on the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities are payable
quarterly by the Trust. The Trust Convertible Preferred Securities are subject
to mandatory redemption on February 24, 2012, at a redemption price of $50 per
preferred security. The
F-14
<PAGE> 63
Company has reserved 9,084,000 shares of common stock as of September 30, 1998
for possible conversion of the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities at the
option of the holders.
As a result of the Leap Wireless Spin-off, and pursuant to a resolution of
the Board of Directors of QUALCOMM, each QUALCOMM Trust Convertible Preferred
Security is convertible, subject and pursuant to the terms of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, into both QUALCOMM Common Stock and Leap Wireless
Common Stock at the rate of 0.6882 and 0.17205 shares, respectively, for each
QUALCOMM Trust Convertible Preferred Security. The carrying amount of the
Company's obligation to holders of the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities
related to the anticipated settlement of a portion of the obligation with Leap
Wireless's common stock is marked to market. The mark to market adjustment is
calculated based on the market values of QUALCOMM and Leap Wireless common
stock. During the year ended September 30, 1998, no adjustment to the obligation
was recorded.
The Company recorded a call option at a fair value of $3.9 million related
to Leap Wireless's obligation to issue common stock to holders of QUALCOMM Trust
Convertible Preferred Securities upon the conversion of such securities. The
option is included in other noncurrent assets. During the year ended September
30, 1998, no unrealized gains or losses were recorded in connection with the
call option.
The Company may cause the Trust to defer the payment of distributions for
successive periods of up to twenty consecutive quarters. During such periods,
accrued distributions on the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities will
compound quarterly and the Company may not declare or pay distributions on its
common stock or debt securities that rank equal or junior to the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures. Also during such period, if holders of Trust
Convertible Preferred Securities convert such securities into Company common
stock, the holder will not receive any cash related to the deferred
distribution.
During fiscal 1997, issuance costs of $18.6 million related to the Trust
Convertible Preferred Securities were deferred and are being amortized over the
period until mandatory redemption of the securities in February 2012.
As of September 30, 1998 and 1997, the estimated fair value of the Trust
Convertible Preferred Securities was approximately $552 million and $701
million, respectively, based on the last reported bid price.
NOTE 8. CAPITAL STOCK
Preferred Stock
The Company has 8,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance
in one or more series, at a par value of $0.0001 per share. In conjunction with
the distribution of Preferred Share Purchase Rights, the Company's Board of
Directors designated 1,500,000 shares of preferred stock as Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock and reserved such shares for issuance upon
exercise of the Preferred Share Purchase Rights. At September 30, 1998 and 1997,
no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.
Common Stock Warrants
In November 1991, the Company issued seven-year warrants to purchase 782,000
shares of common stock at $5.50 per share to a company for the relinquishment of
all its claims to participation in certain future royalties, license fees and
profits. During August, 1998, the Company issued 705,000 shares of common stock
upon the full net exercise of the warrants.
Preferred Share Purchase Rights Plan
During fiscal 1996, the Board of Directors implemented a Preferred Share
Purchase Rights Plan ("Rights Plan") to protect stockholders' rights in the
event of a proposed takeover of the Company. Under the Rights Plan, the Company
declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each
share of the Company's common stock outstanding as of October 16, 1995. Similar
Rights will generally be issued in respect to common stock subsequently issued.
Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company a one
one-hundredth share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $0.0001
par value per share, at a purchase price of $250 (subject to adjustment). The
Rights are exercisable only if a person or group (an "Acquiring Person")
acquires
F-15
<PAGE> 64
beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding shares of
common stock. Upon exercise, holders, other than an Acquiring Person, will have
the right (subject to termination) to receive the Company's common stock or
other securities, cash or other assets having a market value (as defined) equal
to twice such purchase price. The Rights, which expire on September 25, 2005,
are redeemable in whole, but not in part, at the Company's option at any time
for a price of $0.01 per Right.
NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES
The components of income tax provision for the years ended September 30 are
as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current provision:
Federal ........ $ 86,488 $ 71,891 $ 1,301
State .......... 1,916 2,288 695
Foreign ........ 7,319 4,407 3,604
-------- -------- --------
95,723 78,586 5,600
-------- -------- --------
Deferred benefit:
Federal ........ (46,862) (51,186) --
State .......... (8,719) (10,900) --
-------- -------- --------
(55,581) (62,086) --
-------- -------- --------
$ 40,142 $ 16,500 $ 5,600
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The following is a reconciliation from the expected statutory federal
income tax expense to the Company's actual income tax expense for the years
ended September 30 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Expected income tax expense at federal statutory
tax rate ...................................... $ 52,036 $ 37,956 $ 9,316
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit . 7,732 5,639 1,384
Foreign taxes .................................... 7,075 4,407 3,604
Income recognition differences ................... 5,754 3,523 (4,866)
Tax benefit from recognition of deferred tax ..... -- (21,531) --
assets
Tax credit utilization ........................... (34,015) (16,201) (4,264)
Other ............................................ 1,560 2,707 426
-------- -------- --------
Actual income tax expense ........................ $ 40,142 $ 16,500 $ 5,600
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1998 and 1997, the Company had net deferred tax assets as
follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Income recognition differences $ 84,793 $ 68,788
Stock option tax deductions .. 1,497 12,101
Tax credits .................. 6,959 298
-------- --------
$ 93,249 $ 81,187
======== ========
</TABLE>
During fiscal 1997, the Company reduced its valuation allowance to recognize
deferred tax assets that met the "more likely than not" criteria for recognition
established by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 ("FAS 109"),
"Accounting for Income Taxes." As a result, tax benefits relating to income
recognition differences and tax credits were recorded as part of the Company's
tax provision in the statement of income and the benefit for stock option tax
deductions was credited directly to paid-in capital.
At September 30, 1998 the Company had $13.2 million of unused manufacturing
research and alternative minimum tax credits expiring from 2004 through 2006.
Cash amounts paid for income taxes were $58 million, $18.2 million and $4.8
million for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and exclusive of a $2.2
million refund received in fiscal 1996.
F-16
<PAGE> 65
NOTE 10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Employee Savings and Retirement Plan
The Company has a 401(k) plan that allows eligible employees to contribute
up to 15% of their salary, subject to annual limits. The Company matches a
portion of the employee contributions and may, at its discretion, make
additional contributions based upon earnings. The Company's contribution expense
for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $9.7 million, $5.9 million and $3.5 million,
respectively.
Stock Option Plans
The Board of Directors may grant options to selected employees, directors
and consultants to the Company to purchase shares of the Company's common stock,
at a price not less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock at the date
of grant. The 1991 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), as amended, authorizes up to
33,400,000 shares to be granted no later than August 2001. The Plan provides for
the grant of both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options.
Generally, options outstanding vest over a one to six year period and are
exercisable for up to ten years from the grant date. At September 30, 1998,
options for 5,720,000 shares were exercisable at prices ranging from $4.89 to
$68.43 for an aggregate exercise price of $186.5 million.
The Company has a Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan which authorizes
1,070,000 shares to be granted no later than February 2013. This plan provides
for non-qualified stock options to be granted to non-employee directors at fair
market value, vesting over periods not exceeding five years and are exercisable
for up to ten years from the grant date. At September 30, 1998, options for
337,500 shares were exercisable at prices ranging from $22.25 to $56.24 per
share for an aggregate exercise price of $10 million.
A summary of stock option transactions for the plans follows (number of
shares in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
OPTIONS -----------------------------------------------------
AVAILABLE NUMBER EXERCISE PRICE PER SHARE
FOR GRANT OF SHARES RANGE AVERAGE
--------- --------- ---------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 ........... 1,351 12,337 $ 0.50 - $52.43 $ 23.44
Additional shares reserved . 6,000
Options granted ............ (5,929) 5,929 31.56 - 52.25 42.69
Options canceled ........... 683 (683) 5.00 - 52.43 30.98
Options exercised .......... -- (1,510) 1.00 - 29.75 9.21
------ ------
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 ........... 2,105 16,073 $ 0.50 - $52.43 $ 31.55
Additional shares reserved . 5,400
Options granted ............ (4,291) 4,291 37.50 - 62.37 47.29
Options canceled ........... 674 (674) 6.81 - 60.25 37.27
Options exercised .......... -- (1,208) 0.50 - 46.31 16.44
------ ------
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 ........... 3,888 18,482 $ 5.00 - $62.37 $ 35.99
Additional shares reserved . 5,470
Options granted ............ (6,154) 6,154 44.56 - 69.96 58.20
Options canceled ........... 809 (809) 15.50 - 69.96 43.22
Options exercised .......... -- (1,290) 6.81 - 57.75 24.93
------ ------
SEPTEMBER 23, 1998(a) ........ 4,013 22,537 $ 5.00 - $69.96 $ 42.42
Options granted ............ (48) 48 17.97 - 68.43 48.88
Options canceled ........... 13 (13) 40.89 - 62.35 53.86
------ ------
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 ........... 3,978 22,572 $ 4.89 - $68.43 $ 41.50
====== ======
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(a) On September 23, 1998, in connection with the Leap Wireless Spin-off, the
Company adjusted the option exercise prices to maintain the economic value of
the options that existed at the time of the Spin-off. The range and weighted
average exercise prices of options outstanding at September 23, 1998 were $4.89
to $68.43 and $41.50, respectively, as adjusted in connection with the Leap
Wireless Spin-off.
F-17
<PAGE> 66
The following table summarizes information about fixed stock options
outstanding at September 30, 1998 (number of shares in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
---------------------------------------- -------------------
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
REMAINING WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
CONTRACTUAL AVERAGE AVERAGE
RANGE OF NUMBER LIFE EXERCISE NUMBER EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICES OF SHARES (IN YEARS) PRICE OF SHARES PRICE
------------------ --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 4.89 to $18.18 515 2.5 $16.91 235 $16.95
$18.46 to $27.14 4,467 5.7 23.91 2,073 23.58
$27.39 to $39.86 5,468 6.7 34.84 2,177 32.22
$39.97 to $49.70 5,497 8.2 45.25 1,261 44.92
$50.00 to $68.43 6,625 9.2 57.66 311 54.11
--------- ----------
22,572 7.5 41.50 6,057 32.43
========= ==========
</TABLE>
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
The Company has employee stock purchase plans for all eligible employees to
purchase shares of common stock at 85% of the lower of the fair market value on
the first or the last day of each six-month offering period. Employees may
authorize the Company to withhold up to 15% of their compensation during any
offering period, subject to certain limitations. The 1991 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, as amended, authorizes up to 4,200,000 shares to be granted no
later than August 2001. The 1996 Non-Qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan
authorizes up to 25,000 shares to be granted at anytime. During fiscal 1998,
1997 and 1996, shares totaling 439,000, 370,000 and 326,000 were issued under
the plans at an average price of $44.14, $33.77 and $28.55 per share,
respectively. At September 30, 1998, 2,315,000 shares were reserved for future
issuance.
Executive Retirement Plans
The Company has voluntary retirement plans that allow eligible executives to
defer up to 100% of their income on a pretax basis. On a quarterly basis,
participants receive up to a 7.5% match of their deferral in the Company's
common stock based on the then current market price, to be issued to the
participant upon eligible retirement. The income deferred and the Company match
are unsecured and subject to the claims of general creditors of the Company. The
plans authorize up to 100,000 shares to be allocated to participants at anytime.
During fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, approximately 33,000, 11,000 and 6,000
shares, respectively, were allocated under the plans and the Company's matching
contribution during fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 amounted to $1.6 million, $0.5
million and $0.3 million, respectively. At September 30, 1998, 50,000 shares
were reserved for future allocation.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
As permitted under FAS 123, the Company has elected to follow APB 25 and
related Interpretations, in accounting for stock-based awards to employees and
non-employee directors. Under APB 25, the Company generally recognizes no
compensation expense with respect to such awards.
Pro forma information regarding net income and net earnings per common share
is required by FAS 123. This information is required to be determined as if the
Company had accounted for its stock-based awards to employees and non-employee
directors (including stock option plans and shares issued under the Employee
Stock Purchase Plans, collectively called "options") granted subsequent to
September 30, 1995 under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair value
of options granted in fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 reported below has been
estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model
using the following weighted average assumptions:
F-18
<PAGE> 67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EMPLOYEE STOCK
STOCK OPTION PLANS PURCHASE PLANS
---------------------------- ----------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Risk-free interest rate 5.5% 6.3% 6.1% 5.1% 5.1% 5.1%
Volatility ............ 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0%
Dividend yield ........ 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Expected life (years) . 6.0 6.0 6.0 0.5 0.5 0.5
</TABLE>
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating
the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because
the Company's options have characteristics significantly different than those of
traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can
materially affect the fair value estimate, in the opinion of management, the
existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair
value of its options. The weighted average estimated fair value of stock options
granted during fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $31.76, $26.37 and $23.67
per share, respectively. The weighted average estimated fair value of shares
granted under the Employee Stock Purchase Plans during fiscal years 1998, 1997
and 1996 was $15.90, $13.58 and $13.74, respectively.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is assumed to be amortized to expense over the options' vesting period.
The Company's pro forma information for the years ended September 30 are as
follows (in thousands, except for net earnings per share):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------------------------ ------------------------- --------------------------
As reported Pro forma As reported Pro forma As reported Pro forma
----------- --------- ----------- --------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income ................... $ 108,532 $ 57,747 $ 91,934 $ 73,197 $ 21,027 $ 6,019
Net earnings per common share:
Basic ..................... $ 1.57 $ 0.83 $ 1.37 $ 1.09 $ 0.32 $ 0.09
Diluted ................... $ 1.47 $ 0.78 $ 1.28 $ 1.02 $ 0.30 $ 0.09
</TABLE>
The Company did not recognize a tax benefit relating to pro forma
compensation expense under FAS 123 for fiscal 1996 as such benefit did not meet
the "more likely than not" criteria for recognition of deferred tax assets. Pro
forma net income for fiscal 1997 includes the recognition of the tax benefit
relating to fiscal 1997 pro forma compensation expense and the recognition of
the previously unrecognized fiscal 1996 tax benefit. Pro forma net income for
fiscal 1998 includes tax effected pro forma compensation expense of $8.1 million
related to the modification of options in connection with the Leap Wireless
Spin-off. The effects on pro forma disclosures of applying FAS 123 are not
likely to be representative of the effects on pro forma disclosures of future
years because FAS 123 is applicable only to options granted subsequent to
September 30, 1995.
NOTE 11. INVESTMENTS IN OTHER ENTITIES
QUALCOMM Personal Electronics
In fiscal 1994, a subsidiary of the Company and a subsidiary of Sony
Electronics Inc. ("Sony Electronics") entered into a joint venture general
partnership, QUALCOMM Personal Electronics ("QPE"), to manufacture CDMA
subscriber equipment for cellular, PCS and other wireless applications. The
Company owns 51% of the joint venture and consolidates QPE in its financial
statements. Sony Electronics' 49% general partnership share in QPE is presented
as a minority interest in the Company's financial statements.
Under the terms of bank lines of credit, Sony Electronics is obligated to
provide subordinated loans to QPE in the event that QPE cannot repay the bank
credit facilities (Note 6). At September 30, 1998 and 1997, Sony Electronics had
outstanding subordinated loan commitments of $24.5 million to QPE. As a result
of Sony Electronics commitments to fund QPE, the Company has included in other
assets accumulated minority interest losses in excess of equity contributions of
$13.5 million as of September 30, 1997.
During fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, QPE sales to Sony Electronics amounted to
$684.3 million, $56.6 million and $50.2 million, respectively. Purchases of
inventory and capital equipment from Sony Electronics and other Sony affiliates
F-19
<PAGE> 68
amounted to $68.8 million and $69.4 million, respectively during fiscal 1998,
$92 million and $6 million, respectively during fiscal 1997 and $23.9 million
and $0.9 million, respectively, during fiscal 1996. At September 30, 1998 and
1997, outstanding accounts receivable from Sony Electronics amounted to $52.1
million and $12.1 million, respectively, and accounts payable to all Sony
affiliated companies amounted to $51.1 million and $21.6 million, respectively.
Globalstar, L.P.
Through partnership interests held in certain intermediate limited
partnerships, the Company owns a 6.5% partnership interest in Globalstar, L.P.
("Globalstar"), a limited partnership formed to develop, own and operate the
Globalstar low-Earth orbiting satellite-based wireless communications system.
The Company accounts for its investment under the equity method.
As a result of the intermediate limited partnership agreements, Globalstar
profits and losses are allocated to the Company in accordance with its
percentage ownership interest, provided that no loss shall be allocated to the
Company if such allocation would create negative balances in the Company's
intermediate partnership adjusted capital accounts. For financial reporting
purposes, the Company's investment in the intermediate partnerships had no basis
during each of fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, and, as a result, the Company has not
recorded any equity losses during those respective fiscal years.
Subject to certain conditions, the Company, through an intermediate
partnership, may be required to purchase approximately 97,000 additional shares
from another investor in Globalstar for up to $4.6 million, a price discounted
from the price paid by such investor. The Company is unable to predict the
likelihood of the occurrence of any of the conditions which would require the
additional investment.
In return for providing a guarantee under a Globalstar bank financing
agreement (Note 12), the Company received warrants to purchase 734,262 shares of
common stock in Globalstar Telecommunications Limited ("GTL"), a general partner
in Globalstar, at an exercise price of $13.25 per share (shares and exercise
price reflect a two-for-one stock split of GTL common stock that occurred in May
1997). On February 12, 1997, the Company and GTL entered into an arrangement
under which GTL agreed to accelerate the vesting and exercisability of the
Company's warrants to purchase GTL common stock. The Company exercised such
warrants in March 1997, and classified the GTL shares as trading securities in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting
for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" consistent with the
Company's intent to sell the GTL shares on a near term basis. The Company sold
the GTL common stock during the third quarter of fiscal 1997 resulting in an
aggregate realized gain of $13.4 million.
The Company and Globalstar have entered into a development agreement under
which Globalstar is funding the Company to design and develop the subscriber
equipment and ground communications segments of the Globalstar system. Total
accounts receivable due from Globalstar under the development contract at
September 30, 1998 and 1997 were $39.4 million and $50.5 million, respectively.
Contract services revenues resulting from the development agreement for fiscal
1998, 1997 and 1996 were $252 million, $205.1 million and $120.3 million from
Globalstar, respectively. In March 1998, the Company agreed to defer up to $100
million of contract payments, with interest accruing at 5 3/4% capitalized
quarterly, as customer financing under its development contract with Globalstar.
Financed amounts outstanding as of January 1, 2000, will be repaid in eight
equal quarterly installments commencing as of that date, with final payment due
October 1, 2001, accompanied by all then unpaid accrued interest. At September
30, 1998, contract payments of approximately $89.7 million were outstanding from
Globalstar as interest bearing financed amounts. Subject to terms and
conditions, Globalstar is entitled to defer $4.2 million from each future
monthly development contract payment until the $100 million limit is reached.
During fiscal 1997, the Company entered into a contract to manufacture and
supply ground communications segments ("Gateways") and related services to
Globalstar. The Company recognized approximately $121 million in revenue related
to production of Gateways during fiscal 1998. At September 30, 1998, accounts
receivable under this contract total $97.4 million.
F-20
<PAGE> 69
Telesystems of Ukraine
During fiscal 1997, the Company invested approximately $8.8 million for a
49% ownership interest in Telesystems of Ukraine ("TOU"), a Ukrainian limited
liability company. During fiscal 1998, the Company invested an additional $2
million and provided a working capital loan of $8.9 million to TOU. The Company
may provide further equity and debt contributions to TOU as necessary to support
future build-out and operational needs. The Company accounts for its investment
under the equity method of accounting. The Company will be allocated all of the
profits of TOU until the Company's investment has been returned, thereafter,
profits will be allocated according to the Company's ownership interest. Losses
are allocated to the Company in accordance with its ownership interest; however,
during fiscal 1998, the Company recorded 100% of the losses of TOU because the
other investors' equity interests have been depleted.
On September 23, 1998, the Company recorded a $17.1 million liability in
connection with its agreement to transfer its ownership interest in TOU and its
working capital loan to TOU to Leap Wireless if certain events occur within 18
months of the Leap Wireless Spin-off.
NextWave Telecom Inc.
In November 1995, the Company paid $5 million to purchase 1,666,666 shares
of Series B Common Stock and provided a $25 million short-term note receivable
to NextWave Telecom Inc. ("NextWave"), a privately held company. As part of the
share purchase, the Company also received warrants to buy 1,111,111 additional
shares of Series B Common Stock at $3 per share. During March 1996, the Company
converted $15 million of the note receivable into 5,000,000 shares of Series B
Common Stock. The conversion was treated as a non-cash transaction for the
consolidated statement of cash flows
In June 1998, the Company recorded a $20 million non-cash charge to
write-off its investment in NextWave. Subsidiaries of
NextWave filed for bankruptcy protection in June 1998 under Chapter 11 of the
U.S. Bankruptcy Code. There is significant uncertainty as to the outcome of the
bankruptcy proceedings.
Other Joint Ventures
The Company has entered into other domestic and international joint ventures
providing advanced communications systems, products and services based on
wireless technology. The Company's combined investment in these joint ventures
as of September 30, 1998 and 1997, amounted to $27 million and $29 million,
respectively. At September 30, 1998, effective ownership interests in the joint
ventures ranged from 2% to 34%, and there were no unfunded equity commitments.
It is not practicable to estimate the total fair value of the Company's
investment in these other joint ventures as the investments are predominantly
closely held and not publicly traded. The Company's investees are principally
engaged in development of new products and commercial deployment and expansion
of wireless networks and services. An investee's failure to successfully develop
and provide competitive products and services due to lack of financing, market
demand or favorable economic environment could adversely affect the value of the
Company's investment in the investee. There can be no assurance that the
investees will be successful in their efforts.
Investments in Other Entities Transferred to Leap Wireless
In March 1997, the Company purchased $42 million of voting preferred shares
representing a 50% ownership interest in a corporate joint venture, Chilesat
Telefonia Personal S.A. ("Chilesat PCS"). The Company transferred its ownership
interest in Chilesat PCS to Leap Wireless as part of the Leap Wireless Spin-off.
The book value of the equity investment transferred to Leap Wireless was $39.3
million. During fiscal 1998 and 1997, sales to Chilesat PCS amounted to $77.4
million and $1.5 million, respectively.
During fiscal 1998, the Company invested approximately $110.0 million for
ownership interests in Pegaso Telecommunications, S.A. de C.V., OzPhone Pty.
Ltd., Metrosvyaz Limited, and Orrengrove Investments Limited. During fiscal
1997, the Company invested $4 million for an ownership interest in Chase
Telecommunications, Inc. These investments were transferred to Leap Wireless as
part of the
F-21
<PAGE> 70
Leap Wireless Spin-off at approximately $107.4 million net book value. The
Company also transferred net loans receivable from these entities to Leap
Wireless totaling approximately $90.2 million.
At September 30, 1998, the Company holds warrants to purchase approximately
1.3 million shares of the Class B common stock (approximately 14.6% of equity)
of Chase at a price of $0.01 per share. The warrants vest based upon a
percentage of usage of a $25 million credit facility provided to Chase by
QUALCOMM and subsequently transferred to Leap Wireless. At September 30, 1998,
warrants to purchase approximately 0.9 million shares are vested. The warrants
will expire in 2008. Because Chase is a private company, it is not practicable
to estimate fair value of the warrants. There are no recorded amounts related to
these warrants at September 30, 1998.
NOTE 12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
On September 23, 1996, Ericsson Inc. and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
("Ericsson") filed suit against the Company in Marshall, Texas and on December
17, 1996, Ericsson also filed suit against QPE in Dallas, Texas with both
complaints alleging that the Company's or QPE's CDMA products infringe one or
more patents owned by Ericsson. The suits were later amended to include a total
of 11 Ericsson patents. By order dated July 24, 1998, the Dallas action was
transferred to Marshall, Texas. In December 1996, QUALCOMM filed a countersuit
alleging, among other things, unfair competition by Ericsson based on a pattern
of conduct intended to impede the acceptance and commercial deployment of
QUALCOMM's CDMA technology and is seeking a judicial declaration that certain of
Ericsson's patents are not infringed by QUALCOMM and are invalid. That
countersuit has been consolidated with the Marshall, Texas action. On September
10, 1996, OKI America, Inc. ("OKI") filed a complaint against Ericsson seeking a
judicial declaration that certain of OKI's CDMA subscriber products do not
infringe 9 patents of Ericsson and that such patents are invalid. The 9 patents
are among the 11 patents at issue in the litigation between the Company and
Ericsson. The OKI case has not yet been set for trial. On October 14, 1998,
Ericsson filed a dismissal with prejudice of all of its claims under three of
the patents at issue in the Marshall, Texas case. The Marshall case is set for
trial on April 6, 1999. Although there can be no assurances that an unfavorable
outcome of the Marshall case would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations, liquidity or financial position, the Company
believes the named Ericsson patents are not required to produce IS-95 compliant
systems and that Ericsson's claims are without merit.
On March 5, 1997, the Company filed a complaint against Motorola, Inc.
("Motorola"). The complaint was filed in response to allegations by Motorola
that the Company's recently announced Q phone infringes design and utility
patents held by Motorola as well as trade dress and common law rights relating
to the appearance of certain Motorola wireless telephone products. The complaint
denies such allegations and seeks a judicial declaration that the Company's
products do not infringe any patents held by Motorola. On March 10, 1997,
Motorola filed a complaint against the Company (the "Motorola Complaint"),
alleging claims based primarily on the above-alleged infringement. The Company's
motion to transfer the Motorola Complaint to the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of California was granted on April 3, 1997. On April 24, 1997,
the court denied Motorola's motion for a preliminary injunction thereby
permitting the Company to continue to manufacture, market and sell the Q phone.
On April 25, 1997, Motorola appealed the denial of its motion for a preliminary
injunction. On January 16, 1998 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit denied Motorola's appeal and affirmed the decision of the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of California refusing Motorola's request to
enjoin QUALCOMM from manufacturing and selling the Q phone. On June 4, 1997,
Motorola filed another lawsuit alleging infringement by QUALCOMM of 4 patents.
Three of the patents had already been alleged in previous litigation between the
parties. On August 18, 1997, Motorola filed another complaint against the
Company alleging infringement by the Company of 7 additional patents. All of the
Motorola cases have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings. The cases have
been set for a final pretrial conference on March 1, 1999. Although there can be
no assurance that an unfavorable outcome of the dispute would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, liquidity or
financial position, the Company believes Motorola's complaint has no merit and
will vigorously defend the action.
On October 27, 1998, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
of Korea ("ETRI") submitted to the International Chamber of Commerce a Request
for Arbitration of a dispute with the Company arising out of a Joint Development
Agreement dated April 30, 1992 ("JDA") between ETRI and the Company. In the
Request, ETRI alleges that the Company has breached certain provisions of the
JDA and seeks monetary damages and an
F-22
<PAGE> 71
accounting. The Company's answer to the Request is not due until November 30,
1998. The Company plans to file an answer and counterclaims denying the
allegations, establishing the termination of the JDA, and for monetary damages
against ETRI. In accordance with the JDA, the arbitration will take place in San
Diego. No arbitrator has yet been appointed and no schedule for the arbitration
proceedings has been established. Although the ultimate resolution of this
dispute is subject to the uncertainties inherent in litigation or arbitration,
the Company does not believe that the resolution of these claims will have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, liquidity or
financial position.
The Company is engaged in other legal actions arising in the ordinary course
of its business and believes that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not
have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, liquidity or
financial position.
Operating Leases
QPE has entered into an operating lease agreement, under which manufacturing
equipment may be leased under separate schedules, each with approximately
five-year terms. The lease agreement is non-recourse to the Company and the
minority interest holder in QPE. Equipment under lease has both early and end of
term purchase options. If the purchase options have not been exercised by the
end of the lease term, QPE may be required to pay certain contingent payments if
proceeds from the sale of the equipment fall below specified amounts. The
maximum amount of contingent payments for equipment leased as of September 30,
1998 is approximately $54.9 million. Rental expense under this lease, including
an accrual for such contingent payments, amounted to $13.0 million, $13.5
million and $2.0 million during fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. As of
September 30, 1998 and 1997, the Company had accrued $20.9 million and $11.4
million, respectively, in other liabilities for such contingent payments. As of
September 30, 1998, future rental payments under the lease, excluding contingent
payments, are $4.4 million in each of 1999 and 2000, $3.6 million in 2001 and
$0.8 million in 2002.
The Company leases certain of its other facilities and equipment under
non-cancelable operating leases, with terms ranging from two to ten years and
with provisions for cost-of-living increases. Rental expense for these
facilities and equipment for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $10.8 million, $6.9
million and $5.4 million, respectively. Future minimum lease payments in each of
the next five years from fiscal 1999 through 2003 are $15.7 million, $12.4
million, $10.9 million, $9.3 million and $6.6 million, respectively, and $9.0
million thereafter.
Purchase Obligations
The Company has agreements with certain suppliers to purchase certain
components, and estimates its non-cancelable obligations under these agreements
to be approximately $121.5 million through fiscal 2001. The Company also has a
commitment to purchase communications services for approximately $12.3 million
annually through fiscal 2001, $1.2 million in 2002, and $0.1 million in 2003.
Letters of Credit and Financial Guarantees
Under an agreement entered into during fiscal 1997 with Chilesat PCS, the
Company agreed to provide a $58 million letter of credit on behalf of Chilesat
PCS in which the Company may be required to reimburse Chilesat PCS for a portion
of Chilean government fines if certain network build-out milestones are not met.
Chilesat PCS has received notification from the Chilean Undersecretariat of
Telecommunications ("SUBTEL") that phase one of the network has passed certain
acceptance tests performed by SUBTEL, and has been cleared to commence
commercial operations. Chilesat PCS is required to successfully complete certain
remaining tests on phase two of the network no later than December 1998. The
amount that Chilesat PCS may draw on the letter of credit has been reduced to
$52 million and will decline further as additional milestones are met. The
letter of credit will expire no later than December 31, 1999, and is
collateralized by a commensurate amount of the Company's investments in debt
securities. As of September 30, 1998, no amounts have been drawn on the letter
of credit.
The Company has issued a letter of credit to support a guarantee of up to
$22.5 million of Globalstar borrowings under an existing bank financing
agreement. The guarantee will expire in December 2000. The letter of credit is
F-23
<PAGE> 72
collateralized by a commensurate amount of the Company's investments in debt
securities. As of September 30, 1998, Globalstar had no borrowings outstanding
under the existing bank financing agreement.
In addition to letters of credit on behalf of Globalstar (Note 11) and
Chilesat PCS, the Company has $65.3 million of letters of credit and $18.6
million of other financial guarantees outstanding, respectively, as of September
30, 1998, none of which are collateralized.
Performance Guarantees
The Company and QPE have entered into contracts that provide for performance
guarantees to protect customers against late delivery or failure to perform.
These performance guarantees, and any future commitments for performance
guarantees, are obligations entered into separately, and in some cases jointly,
with partners to supply CDMA subscriber and infrastructure equipment. Certain of
these obligations provide for substantial performance guarantees that accrue at
a daily rate based on percentages of the contract value to the extent the
equipment is not delivered by scheduled delivery dates or the systems fail to
meet certain performance criteria by such dates. The Company is dependent in
part on the performance of its suppliers and strategic partners in order to
provide equipment which is the subject of the guarantees. Thus, the ability to
timely deliver such equipment may be outside of the Company's control. If the
Company and QPE are unable to meet their performance obligations, the payment of
the performance guarantees could amount to a significant portion of the contract
value and would have a material adverse effect on product margins and the
Company's results of operations, liquidity or financial position.
NOTE 13. SUMMARIZED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
The following financial information reflects all normal recurring
adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair
statement of the results of the interim periods. Summarized quarterly data for
fiscal 1998 and 1997 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998
Revenues.................................... $ 785,854 $ 760,553 $ 875,497 $ 925,966
Gross profit(1)............................. 232,239 226,221 250,817 305,194
Operating income ........................... 52,895 51,301 53,353 85,116
Net income.................................. 36,762 26,011 5,843 39,916
Basic net earnings per common share(2)...... $ 0.54 $ 0.38 $ 0.08 $ 0.57
Diluted net earnings per common share(2).... $ 0.50 $ 0.36 $ 0.08 $ 0.54
1997
Revenues.................................... $ 388,940 $ 585,746 $ 520,260 $ 601,419
Gross profit(1)............................. 101,730 130,552 164,837 181,240
Operating income............................ 13,019 15,542 33,062 35,834
Net income.................................. 9,126 16,745 35,945 30,118
Basic net earnings per common share(2)...... $ 0.14 $ 0.25 $ 0.53 $ 0.44
Diluted net earnings per common share(2).... $ 0.13 $ 0.23 $ 0.50 $ 0.42
</TABLE>
- ------
(1) Gross profit is calculated by subtracting operating expenses for
communications systems and contract services from total revenues.
(2) Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters
presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly net earnings per share will
not necessarily equal the total for the year.
F-24
<PAGE> 73
SCHEDULE II
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
BEGINNING OF COSTS AND END OF
PERIOD EXPENSES DEDUCTIONS OTHER PERIOD
------ -------- ---------- ----- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended September 30, 1996(1)
Allowance for doubtful accounts
-- trade receivables............ $ 2,853 $ 7,681 $ 2,311 $ -- $ 8,223
-- notes receivable(2).......... 2,100 -- 2,100 -- --
Inventory reserves................. 16,875 11,090 8,933 -- 19,032
---------- --------- --------- ------- ---------
$ 21,828 $ 18,771 $ 13,344 $ -- $ 27,255
========== ========= ========= ======= =========
Year ended September 30, 1997(1)
Allowance for doubtful accounts
-- trade receivables............ $ 8,223 $ 17,980 $ 7,311 $ -- $ 18,892
Inventory reserves................. 19,032 32,277 15,285 -- 36,024
---------- --------- --------- ------- ---------
$ 27,255 $ 50,257 $ 22,596 $ -- $ 54,916
========== ========= ========= ======= =========
Year ended September 30, 1998(1)
Allowance for doubtful accounts
-- trade receivables............ $ 18,892 $ 5,508 $ 2,467 $ -- $ 21,933
-- finance receivables.......... -- 4,955 -- -- 4,955
Inventory reserves................. 36,024 47,597 40,835 -- 42,786
---------- --------- --------- ------- ----------
$ 54,916 $ 58,060 $ 43,302 $ -- $ 69,674
========== ========= ========= ======= ==========
</TABLE>
- ----
(1) The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of September.
(2) Included in non-current other assets.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT
The Company owns 51% of a joint venture general partnership, QUALCOMM
Personnel Electronics ("QPE"). QPE is a California general partnership and does
business under its own name. The Company consolidated QPE in its financial
statements and presents the 49% general partner interest of Sony Electronics
Inc. as a minority interest in the Company's financial statements.
The names of other subsidiaries are omitted. Such subsidiaries would not,
if considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, constitute a significant
subsidiary within the meaning of Item 601(b)(21)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 and in the Form S-3 Prospectus contained therein
(No. 33-46343) and on Forms S-8 (No. 33-45083, No. 33-78158 and No. 33-78150) of
QUALCOMM Incorporated of our report dated October 30, 1998 appearing on page F-1
of this Form 10-K.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
San Diego, California
November 18, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON
FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-27-1998
<PERIOD-START> SEP-29-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-27-1998
<CASH> 175,846
<SECURITIES> 127,478
<RECEIVABLES> 690,343
<ALLOWANCES> 21,933
<INVENTORY> 386,536
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,537,220
<PP&E> 939,316
<DEPRECIATION> 329,634
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,566,713
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 881,609
<BONDS> 24,746
660,000
0
<COMMON> 7
<OTHER-SE> 957,589
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,566,713
<SALES> 3,347,870
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,347,870
<CGS> 2,333,399
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,333,399
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 11,976
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,058
<INCOME-PRETAX> 148,674
<INCOME-TAX> 40,142
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 108,532
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 108,532
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.57
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.47
</TABLE>
