<PAGE> 1
This filing is made pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(4) under
the Securities Act of
1933 in connection with
Registration No. 333-82715
PROSPECTUS
6,900,000 SHARES
[QUALCOMM LOGO]
COMMON STOCK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUALCOMM's common stock is traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "QCOM." On July 21, 1999, the last reported sale price for the common
stock on The Nasdaq National Market was $156.625 per share.
INVESTING IN THE COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISK. "RISK FACTORS" BEGIN ON PAGE
6.
The underwriters have agreed to purchase from QUALCOMM the common stock
offered by this prospectus for a purchase price of $156.50 per share, resulting
in aggregate proceeds of $1,079,850,000 to QUALCOMM (before deducting expenses
payable by QUALCOMM, estimated to be approximately $600,000).
The underwriters propose to offer the common stock offered by this
prospectus from time to time for sale in one or more transactions (which may
involve block transactions) on The Nasdaq National Market, in the
over-the-counter market or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices,
subject to prior sale when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the
underwriters.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES, OR DETERMINED IF
THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about July 27, 1999.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joint Book-Running Managers
LEHMAN BROTHERS GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
JULY 21, 1999
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 1
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements............. 2
The Company................................................. 4
The Offering................................................ 5
Use of Proceeds............................................. 5
Risk Factors................................................ 6
Underwriting................................................ 20
Legal Matters............................................... 21
Experts..................................................... 21
</TABLE>
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to
"we," "us," "our" and "QUALCOMM" refer to QUALCOMM Incorporated and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries.
i
<PAGE> 3
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). You
can inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at
the public reference facilities of the Commission, in Room 1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048; and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 500 W. Madison Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. You can also obtain copies of these materials from
the public reference section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Please call the Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. The
Commission also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission (http://www.sec.gov).
We have filed a registration statement and related exhibits with the
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
The registration statement contains additional information about us and our
common stock. You may inspect the registration statement and exhibits without
charge at the office of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and you may obtain copies from the Commission at prescribed rates.
The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we
file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an
important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the
Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"):
- Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1998
(including information specifically incorporated by reference into our
Form 10-K from the Proxy Statement for our 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders);
- Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended December 27, 1998
and March 28, 1999;
- Current Reports on Form 8-K dated May 24, 1999 and July 19, 1999;
- Description of our common stock contained in our registration statement
on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on September 12, 1991; and
- All documents filed by us with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act before the offering of the common
stock offered hereby is completed (other than those portions of such
documents described in paragraphs (i), (k), and (l) of Item 402 of
Regulation S-K promulgated by the Commission).
1
<PAGE> 4
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
Investor Relations
QUALCOMM Incorporated
5775 Morehouse Drive
San Diego, California 92121-1714
Telephone: (858) 658-4813
You should only rely on the information contained in this prospectus. We
have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that
contained in this prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to
buy, shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are
permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of
the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this
prospectus or any sale of common stock.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference,
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any statements about our
expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or
performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These
statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases
such as "anticipate," "estimate," "plans," "projects," "continuing," "ongoing,"
"expects," "management believes," "the Company believes," "the Company intends,"
"we believe," "we intend" and similar words or phrases. Accordingly, these
statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any
forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
factors discussed throughout this prospectus. Among the key factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:
- risks that the rate of growth in the CDMA subscriber population will
decrease;
- developments in current or future litigation;
- timely product development;
- our ability to successfully manufacture significant quantities of CDMA or
other equipment on a timely and profitable basis;
- risks relating to customer receivables and performance guarantees;
- risks associated with timing and receipt of license fees and royalties;
- strategic opportunities or acquisitions that we pursue;
- changes in economic conditions of the various markets we serve;
- risks associated with our international business activities;
- issues arising from addressing year 2000 information technology issues;
and
- the availability and terms of financing.
2
<PAGE> 5
Because the risk factors referred to above, as well as the risk factors
beginning on page 6 of this prospectus, could cause actual results or outcomes
to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made
by us or on behalf of the Company, you should not place undue reliance on any
such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks
only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to
update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it
is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot
assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any
factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially
from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
3
<PAGE> 6
THE COMPANY
We are a leading provider of digital wireless communications products,
technologies and services. We design, develop, manufacture and market wireless
communications and subscriber products and design, develop and market ASIC chips
based on our CDMA technology. We also license and receive royalty payments on
our CDMA technology from major domestic and international telecommunications
equipment suppliers. In addition, we design, manufacture, distribute and operate
products and services for our OmniTRACS system. We also have contracts with
Globalstar to design, develop and manufacture subscriber products and ground
communications systems, and to provide contract development services.
From time to time we consider strategic transactions and alternatives with
the goal of maximizing stockholder value. For example, in September 1998 we
completed the spin off of Leap Wireless International, and in May 1999 we
completed the sale of our infrastructure products division to Ericsson. We will
continue to evaluate additional potential strategic transactions and
alternatives which we believe may enhance stockholder value. These additional
potential transactions may include a variety of different structures, including
spin offs, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, restructurings, divestitures
and business combinations.
Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or S&P,
has announced that, effective as of July 21, 1999, it plans to include the
common stock in the Standard & Poor's Corporation 500 Composite Stock Price
Index, or the S&P 500 Index, which is composed of 500 common stocks that S&P
selects. Shares offered by this prospectus will be offered primarily to index
funds whose portfolios are primarily based on stocks included in the S&P 500
Index.
We have entered into an agreement with Sprint PCS for the purchase of up to
$400 million of our CDMA digital PCS phones. Under the agreement, Sprint PCS
will purchase our new Internet-capable Thin Phone and pdQ(TM) smartphone for
distribution throughout Sprint's nationwide CDMA digital PCS network. Shipments
to Sprint PCS of our Thin Phone, incorporating the Phone.com(TM) UP Browser(TM)
Internet microbrowser, are scheduled to begin later this Summer.
Our principal executive offices are located at 5775 Morehouse Drive, San
Diego, California 92121-1714, and our telephone number is (858) 587-1121. Our
website is located at http://www.qualcomm.com. Information contained on our
website is not part of this prospectus.
4
<PAGE> 7
THE OFFERING
Common stock offered by
QUALCOMM................... 6,900,000 shares
Common stock to be
outstanding after the
offering................... 159,720,865 shares(1)
Use of proceeds.............. Working capital and general corporate purposes.
See "Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market
symbol..................... QCOM
- -------------------------
(1) Based upon shares outstanding as of July 19, 1999 (assuming no exercise of
options after July 19, 1999). Excludes 46,193,231 shares of common stock
reserved for issuance pursuant to QUALCOMM's employee benefit plans and
18,727,706 shares issuable upon conversion of certain convertible preferred
securities of QUALCOMM Financial Trust I, a Delaware statutory business
trust.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds we will receive from the sale of 6,900,000 shares of
common stock after deducting offering expenses payable by us will be
approximately $1.079 billion.
We intend to use the proceeds of this offering primarily for working
capital and general corporate purposes. Pending such uses, we expect to invest
the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment grade securities.
5
<PAGE> 8
RISK FACTORS
This offering involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider
the following information about these risks, as well as the other information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, before you decide to
buy any of our common stock.
Except for historical information, the information contained in this
prospectus and in our SEC reports are "forward looking" statements about our
expected future business and performance. Our actual operating results and
financial performance may prove to be very different from what we might have
predicted as of the date of this prospectus. The risks described below address
some of the factors that may affect our future operating results and financial
performance.
OUR OPERATING RESULTS ARE DIFFICULT TO FORECAST AND MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY
MANY FACTORS.
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;
- our ability to successfully manufacture, market and/or sell
commercial-scale quantities of CDMA 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.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO MANAGE GROWTH IN OUR BUSINESS, OUR BUSINESS WILL SUFFER.
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
6
<PAGE> 9
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.
DELAYS OR DEFECTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF OUR CDMA PRODUCTS WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT
OUR BUSINESS.
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
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 experienced component shortages in our fiscal
quarter ended June 27, 1999. We expect those shortages will continue during the
remainder of this fiscal year, which could adversely affect our operating
results. 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 products at 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 subscriber
products that we describe in
7
<PAGE> 10
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.
OUR MARKETS ARE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE.
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. 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 subscriber products and in the
development, design and sale 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. Our competitors may
devote a significantly greater amount of their financial, technical, marketing
and other resources to aggressively market competitive communications systems
and products 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 satellite-based systems, may impact margins
and intensify competition in new markets.
8
<PAGE> 11
WE MAY ENGAGE IN STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
BUSINESS.
From time to time we consider strategic transactions and alternatives with
the goal of maximizing stockholder value. For example, in September 1998 we
completed the spin off of Leap Wireless International, and in May 1999 we
completed the sale of our infrastructure products division to Ericsson. We will
continue to evaluate additional potential strategic transactions and
alternatives which we believe may enhance stockholder value. These additional
potential transactions may include a variety of different structures, including
spin offs, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, restructurings, divestitures
and business combinations. We cannot assure you that any such transactions will
in fact enhance stockholder value or will not adversely affect our business or
the trading price of our stock.
OUR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES SUBJECT US TO RISKS THAT COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR 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 equipment providers and protective regulations,
including local content and service requirements. In addition, our pursuit of
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 fiscal years presented:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF
TOTAL
FISCAL YEAR REVENUES
----------- ----------
<S> <C>
1995......................... 20%
1996......................... 36%
1997......................... 30%
1998......................... 34%
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE> 12
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.
OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY BE HARMED BY FOREIGN 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 U.S. dollars and
any significant change in the value of the U.S. 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.
A DECREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR CDMA SUBSCRIBER AND ASICS PRODUCTS COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
We are a major supplier of CDMA subscriber and ASICs products for wireless
and satellite service providers. In order to generate revenues and profits from
sales of 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 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 subscriber products internationally are subject to the various
risks associated with doing business outside of the United States. As a result,
subject to the success of international wireless operators, our ability to
generate substantial revenues and profits from international sales of CDMA
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.
10
<PAGE> 13
THE LOSS OF ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS COULD HARM OUR REVENUES.
A significant portion of our CDMA subscriber 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.
OUR INDUSTRIES ARE SUBJECT TO RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, AND WE MUST KEEP PACE
WITH THE CHANGES TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE.
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 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.
11
<PAGE> 14
IF OUR INDUSTRY DOES NOT ADOPT A SINGLE CDMA STANDARD THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH
TODAY'S CDMAONE NETWORKS, OUR BUSINESS MAY SUFFER.
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
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 strongly 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 is determined
not to rely on our intellectual property, this could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
WE MAY NEED ADDITIONAL CAPITAL IN THE FUTURE, AND SUCH ADDITIONAL FINANCING MAY
NOT BE AVAILABLE.
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 projects. In particular we have substantial
funding requirements to Leap Wireless. In May 1999, we closed the sale of our
terrestrial CDMA wireless infrastructure business. The agreement settled our
litigation with Ericsson and provides for cross licensing of intellectual
property rights for all CDMA technologies. Pursuant to the agreement with
Ericsson, we will extend up to $400 million in financing for possible future
sales by Ericsson of cdmaOne or cdma2000 infrastructure equipment and related
services to specific customers in certain geographic areas, including Brazil,
Chile, Russia and Mexico or in other areas selected by Ericsson. These
commitments are subject to the customers meeting certain conditions established
in the financing arrangements and, in most cases, to Ericsson also financing a
portion of these cdmaOne or cdma2000 sales. To the extent that 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 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.
12
<PAGE> 15
OUR BUSINESS MAY BE HARMED IF LEAP WIRELESS DOES NOT MEET ITS REPAYMENT
OBLIGATIONS UNDER ITS CREDIT FACILITY WITH US.
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.
THE INADEQUACY OF OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTIONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT
OUR BUSINESS.
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 much of 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 have entered into license agreements with more than 60
telecommunications manufacturers, pursuant to which we have granted royalty
bearing licenses under certain of our CDMA patents to make and sell CDMA
products. Some of these license agreements allow our licensees to make and sell
CDMA products for third generation CDMA systems. We believe that our CDMA patent
portfolio provides broad coverage and is applicable to any commercially viable
CDMA wireless system, including modes of CDMA recommended for the proposed
single CDMA 3G standard. We have informed standards bodies, including the ITU,
TIA, ETSI and the Association of Radio Industries and Business, that we hold
essential patents for third generation CDMA systems that have been submitted to
such standards bodies. Further, we intend to vigorously enforce and protect our
intellectual property position against any infringement. However, despite our
extensive patent position and the license agreements we have entered into with
Ericsson and others which provide for royalties payable to us for certain
products employing such CDMA standards, there can be no assurance that our CDMA
patents will be determined to be applicable to any proposed standard. The
adoption of next generation CDMA standards, if any, which are determined not to
rely on our patents could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, liquidity and financial position.
We file applications for patent protection around the world with respect to
a substantial portion of our intellectual properties. A number of patents that
have been issued abroad are being challenged in opposition proceedings. On
December 10, 1998, the Opposition Board of the European Patent Office revoked
our first issued European Patent. We will appeal this decision to the European
Patent Appeals Board, and will vigorously defend our patents around the world.
In general, our license agreements require the payment of royalties by our
licensees which are the same regardless of whether our licensees use one or more
of our licensed patents. We believe that, with the hundreds of
13
<PAGE> 16
patent applications that we have filed in Europe and elsewhere around the world,
we have and will maintain broad patent coverage for CDMA wireless applications
both in the U.S. and abroad. However, we cannot assure you that we will be
successful in our appeal or that there will not be other unfavorable outcomes to
opposition proceedings, which could adversely affect our ability to protect our
intellectual properties abroad.
Additionally, we cannot 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.
THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS OF INFRINGEMENT OF THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
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 wireless products and
components 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 or other compensation
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 making and selling 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. In May 1999, we
closed the sale of our terrestrial CDMA wireless infrastructure business. The
agreement settled our litigation with Ericsson and provides for cross licensing
of intellectual property rights for all CDMA technologies, including
cdmaOne(TM), WCDMA and cdma2000(TM). We also received rights to sublicense
certain Ericsson patents, including patents asserted in the litigation, to our
Application Specific Integrated Circuits customers.
In addition, a number of third parties have claimed to own patents
essential to various proposed third generation CDMA standards and have committed
to license such patents on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis. 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 or our product
margins or profitability.
We are currently engaged in patent and other infringement litigation
relating to our technology and products. On June 29, 1999, GTE Wireless,
Incorporated filed an action in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Virginia asserting that sales of our wireless telephones infringe a
single patent allegedly owned by GTE. Although we cannot assure you that an
unfavorable outcome of the dispute would not adversely affect our results of
operations, liquidity or financial position, we believe the GTE action is
without merit and will vigorously defend the action.
14
<PAGE> 17
On July 20, 1999, we filed a lawsuit against Motorola, Inc. seeking a
judicial determination that we have the right to terminate all licenses granted
to Motorola under a 1990 Patent License Agreement, while retaining all licenses
granted by Motorola to us under the same agreement. We filed our complaint in
the United States District Court for the Southern District of California where
other actions between us and Motorola have been pending for more than two years.
The complaint alleges that Motorola has committed breaches of our Patent License
Agreement with Motorola that include pursuing a lawsuit against us for
infringement of patents that are in fact licensed to us under the agreement and
a failure to grant certain sublicenses to us in accordance with the terms of the
agreement. Our new filing also seeks a ruling that upon termination of the
Patent License Agreement, the patents formerly licensed to Motorola would be
infringed by CDMA handsets, integrated circuits and network infrastructure
equipment made and sold by Motorola.
IF GLOBALSTAR AND THE GLOBALSTAR SYSTEM ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL, OUR BUSINESS MAY BE
HARMED.
We have entered into a number of development and manufacturing contracts
involving the Globalstar system. Our development agreement provides for the
design and development of the ground communications stations, known as gateways,
and user terminals of the Globalstar system. The Globalstar system is still
being deployed, and cannot begin commercial operations until at least 32
satellites are working in orbit, the necessary ground equipment and user
terminals are in place and service providers are licensed in the countries to be
served. Satellite launches are risky, without about 15% of attempts ending in
failure. Globalstar has already had one launch failure, and more failures may
occur within the course of its launch campaign. The cost of installing the
Globalstar system has been revised upward from the original estimates, and
further increases are possible. Until the system is fully deployed and tested,
it is not certain that it will perform as designed. Even if the system operates
as it should, there is no certainty that the anticipated market will develop.
Globalstar may need to raise substantial additional funds in order to
operate the system as planned. If the start of service is significantly delayed,
a larger proportion of Globalstar's debt service requirements will become due
before Globalstar has positive cash flow, which will increase the amount of
money Globalstar needs.
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. As of June 27, 1999, our
receivables from Globalstar were approximately $440 million. Globalstar is a
development stage company and has no operating history. From its inception,
Globalstar has incurred net losses and losses are expected to continue at least
until commercial operations of the Globalstar system commence. A substantial
shortfall in meeting Globalstar's capital needs could prevent completion of the
Globalstar system and could adversely affect our 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.
THE LOSS OF THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIERS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
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
15
<PAGE> 18
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
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 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.
OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SATELLITE AND OTHER FACILITIES FOR
OUR OMNITRACS SYSTEM.
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.
16
<PAGE> 19
GOVERNMENT REGULATION MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
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.
THE LOSS OF KEY TECHNICAL OR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
BUSINESS.
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 CLAIMS COULD HARM OUR BUSINESS.
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.
OUR BUSINESS MAY BE HARMED BY YEAR 2000 ISSUES.
We believe that our mission critical systems and our wireless communication
products will be Year 2000 compliant by September 1999. However, we cannot
guarantee that these
17
<PAGE> 20
results will be achieved. Specific factors leading to this uncertainty include
failure to identify any problems associated with our wireless communication
products or 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 products, 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
problems associated with producing and delivering our wireless communication
products or 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.
OUR STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN, CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND DELAWARE LAW COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR STOCK.
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 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.
18
<PAGE> 21
OUR STOCK PRICE IS VOLATILE.
The stock market in general, and the stock prices of technology-based
companies in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that often has been
unrelated to the operating performance of any specific public companies. The
market price of our common stock has fluctuated in the past and is likely to
fluctuate in the future as well. 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 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.
19
<PAGE> 22
UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement, which
is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to this
prospectus, each of Lehman Brothers Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. has severally
agreed to purchase from us 3,450,000 shares of common stock, respectively.
Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or S&P,
has announced that, effective as of July 21, 1999, it plans to include our
common stock in the Standard & Poor's Corporation 500 Composite Stock Price
Index, or the S&P 500 Index, which is composed of 500 common stocks that S&P
selects. Shares offered by this prospectus will be offered primarily to index
funds whose portfolios are primarily based on stocks included in the S&P 500
Index. These index funds may be required to purchase common stock as a result of
the inclusion of our common stock in the S&P 500 Index.
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters' obligations to
purchase shares of common stock depend on the satisfaction of the conditions
contained in the underwriting agreement, and that if any of the shares of common
stock are purchased by the underwriters under the underwriting agreement, then
all of the shares of common stock which the underwriters have agreed to purchase
under the underwriting agreement must be purchased. The conditions contained in
the underwriting agreement include the requirement that the representations and
warranties made by us to the underwriters are true, that there is no material
change in the financial markets and that we deliver to the underwriters
customary closing documents.
The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of
common stock offered by this prospectus from time to time for sale in one or
more transactions (which may involve block transactions) on The Nasdaq National
Market or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices
related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to prior
sale when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the underwriters. The
distribution of the common stock offered by this prospectus also may be effected
from time to time in special offerings, exchange distributions or secondary
distributions pursuant to and in accordance with the rules of The Nasdaq
National Market, in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the shares of common stock (whether such
options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise), or in a combination of
such methods at prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices. The underwriters may effect such transactions by
selling shares of common stock to or through dealers, and such dealers may
receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from
the underwriters or the purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they
may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principal.
In connection with the sale of the shares of common stock, the underwriters
will receive compensation in the form of commissions or discounts and may
receive compensation from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they
may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal in the form of
commissions or discounts, in each case in amounts which will not exceed those
customary in the types of transactions involved. The underwriters and dealers
that participate in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed
to be "underwriters" within the meaning of that term under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and any discounts received by them from us and any
compensation received by them on resale of the shares of common stock by them
may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities
Act.
20
<PAGE> 23
We estimate the offering expenses payable by us to be approximately
$600,000.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of
the representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, and
to contribute to payments underwriters may be required to make for these
liabilities.
In connection with the offering the underwriters may purchase and sell the
common stock in the open market. These transactions may include purchases to
cover short positions created by the underwriters in connection with the
offering. Short positions created by the underwriters involve the sale by the
underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to
purchase from QUALCOMM in the offering. These activities may maintain or
otherwise affect the market price of the common stock, which may be higher than
the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and these activities,
if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be
effected on The Nasdaq National Market, the over-the-counter market or
otherwise.
From time to time, Lehman Brothers Inc. or its affiliates have provided,
and may continue to provide, financial advisory services to us.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock being sold in this offering and
other legal matters relating to the offering will be passed upon for us by
Cooley Godward LLP, San Diego, California. Certain legal matters relating to the
offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins, San
Diego, California.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of QUALCOMM Incorporated for the
year ended September 30, 1998, have been so incorporated in reliance on the
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
21
<PAGE> 24
6,900,000 Shares
COMMON STOCK
-------------------------------
PROSPECTUS
July 21, 1999
-------------------------------
LEHMAN BROTHERS
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
