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  Archived "Best Posts"

  April 27 - June 3, 2006

  

3G Licensing and Royalties

Link here for  Most Recent "3G Licensing and Royalties" Best Posts 

This archive includes reports on the June 1, 2006 Annual Shareholders Meeting

Posted by: dboone
In reply to: rmarchma who wrote msg# 157049
Date: 6/3/2006 9:55:21 AM
Post #

Ron, I don't think the construction of the paragraph is in doubt. I think it clear that 2 and 2.5 are paid up, and 3 g has the threshold.

When I spoke with WM last year, we discussed generally the method which he seeks to license. My interpretation was that he wants clean licenses, without "triggers", based upon set unit amounts with an opportunity for us to do better if the customer does better. He doesn't want any more litigation than absolutely necessary.

He is also all about customer solutions, as oppposed to the patent troll concept. As a litigator, I concur. Having customers pay for something they recognize of value is much more efficient than beating them in the courtroom.

I think he is the right leader for us.

D

 

Posted by: rmarchma
In reply to: dboone who wrote msg# 157047
Date:6/3/2006 9:49:21 AM
Post # 157049

Dboone re the LG license, paid-up and threshold provisions

One correction re the paid-up status of LG. It appears that they will be paid-up for single-mode 2G/2.5G products at the expiration of the initial licensing term 12/31/2010, but they will NOT be paid-up for 3G. Therefore, IDCC and LG will have to renegotiate 3G terms and rates for 2011 and beyond. From the latest Annual Report as follows:

...."In the first quarter 2006, we entered into a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-bearing, convenience-based patent license with LG Electronics, Inc.(LG) covering the sale of (i) terminal units compliant with 2G and 2.5G TDMA-based and 3G standards, and (ii) infrastructure compliant with CDMA2000 technology and its extensions up to a limited threshold amount....The agreement expires at the end of 2010 upon which LG will receive a paid-up license to sell single-mode GSM/GPRS/EDGE terminal units under the patents included under the license."

Also notice from the above wording how the "limited threshold amount" appears to be modifying only the (ii) part of the statement and not both parts. If the limited threshold amount were modifying both parts (i) and (ii), then it would seem that there should be a comma after the phrase "CDMA2000 technology". However it appears from what you and others are saying is that Janet is clarifying that the "threshold amount" applies to both terminal units and to CDMA2000 infrastructure.

Thanks for the additional elaboration re Campagna's comments compared to Merritt's comments at the ASM.

 

Posted by: dboone
In reply to: floridian ggg who wrote msg# 157017
Date:6/3/2006 9:38:04 AM
Post #of 157048

Fla,

The May 30 8-K, item 8.01 mentions resolution of the Panasonic patent dispute. The important aspects were exhaustion as of 12/21/05 of 12 of the 19.5 million paid in 2001 for the license and an agreement that certain products were in fact infringing on our patents. From conversations with WM, the more voluntary licenses we accumulate, and the more infringement we demonstrate, the harder it would be for someone to litigate against our IP.

WM has made many comments that lead me to believe the patent license business is one of momentum. The more licenses we have, the easier it is to license others.

Hope that helps.

D


RE:
Question: You mentioned Panasonic. I'm not up to speed on the Panasonic situation. Would you kindly amplify?

 

Posted by: bulldzr
In reply to: spencer who wrote msg# 156974
Date:6/2/2006 10:26:05 PM
Post # 157029

Even Gercenstein publicly said years ago that the strenth and majority of IDCC's patents and contributions for advanced wireless (3G?) were in the hanset/terminal unit.

Why, I don't know.

Later and Best, bulldzr

 

 

Posted by: lastchoice
In reply to: rmarchma who wrote msg# 157009
Date: 6/2/2006 5:35:51 PM
Post # 157011

ronnie, i asked jp some weeks ago a very specific question about the lg deal. she said there was a provision for upside, but was clear that the threshold was very high. imo, the lg deal will look very much like the $14m per quarter. we also discussed kyocera, and although i'm a little fuzzy at this time, they were more of a flat fee and convert to save kyocera money. bottomline, idcc took upfront money--all monies in the first three years--and effectively capped the amount.

there is "some upside possibility," but the bar is very high, any upside will be small. all imo and best recollection.

Billion--with a 'B'

 

Posted by: rmarchma
In reply to: dboone who wrote msg# 157001
Date: 6/2/2006 5:02:33 PM
Post # 157009

Dboone appreciate your ASM comments, and that you are a fellow Georgian. One question re LG and the threshold you said:

..."I asked JP about the continuing question some have regarding LG. As I understand it, LG is paid on 3g to a threshold level. Below the level, we get the disclosed amount no matter what. Above the threshold, we will receive additional revenue."

Is this your interpretation, or is this what Janet Point actually told you? I tend to think that the LG threshold might only apply to CDMA2000 infrastructure, and not to handsets and other terminal units. Could you also elaborate on why you feel the following: "I also sense that exceeding the unit threshold during the 5 years could happen".

You also made the following comment:

..."HC is HC, what more can you say. My impression is that HC is all about HC and WM is all about IDCC and his team. Thank goodness for WM."

Could you further elaborate on why you had the impression that Harry is all about himself, whereas Merritt is all about IDCC and his team?

 

Posted by: dboone
In reply to: mschere who wrote msg# 156989
Date:6/2/2006 4:21:48 PM
Post # 157001

Greetings to all: I am just back to ATL from KOP and yesterday's ASM. I continue to be impressed with our investment. I know many have posted regarding the meeting, here are my observations.

1. The meeting seemed more reserved than last year. I think there are two reasons. One, the animus with the shareholders (including myself) was not present. I think the objective, positive accomplishments of the past year made us all feel better. The change in management was a welcome change which has served us well in the first year. Secondly, from public and private discussions, I sense that management is holding their cards close to the vest. It is my impression that last year they were open in discussing where they wanted to go. This year, I think they are in the middle of discussions with a number of our potential customers and they are therefor properly concerned with disclosures. Last year, nothing concrete to worry about. This year??? I think they must be progressing nicely or they wouldn't worry.

2. WM acts as a very secure and confident CEO. I think he feels confident in his company motto that they are looking to be paid on every 3g terminal unit. In post mtg discussions with BM, I confirmed that this includes MOT, that the verdict of the 90's has no effect on 3g, and that they are focused on "all 6 of the majors". HC is HC, what more can you say. My impression is that HC is all about HC and WM is all about IDCC and his team. Thank goodness for WM.

3. Per unit royalties for 3g should reasonably be north of 1%. There was some confusion after the meeting about what was said. I heard two distinct comments: we are receiving more than $1.50 per unit on 3g, which is in the 1% license fee area; Our 3g contributions are of greater value, indicating that we should reasonably receive 1.5 to 2% royalty on 3g products. Is that what the other attendees heard? Present 3g units average $200. They will naturally come down in price.

4. Our 2010 revenue projections are reasonably in the 800-850 million area. It could be higher. From the discussions, I don't think management would make these statements/projections if they didn't think they could solidly deliver.

5. Post mtg I asked JP about the continuing question some have regarding LG. As I understand it, LG is paid on 3g to a threshold level. Below the level, we get the disclosed amount no matter what. Above the threshold, we will receive additional revenue. The LG agreement is a five year deal. After 5 years, they will require an additional license. I gathered that we are very likely to receive additional revenue after the 5 year period. I also sense that exceeding the unit threshold during the 5 years could happen. How likely? I don't know. Go LG!

6. I discussed the poision pill. It expires at the end of this year, 2006. Management will review the propriety of another such protective measure. My sense: we will have another poision pill. We don't "need" a partner, we are not hurting in any way, and I don't get the feeling that management will do anything to compromise our ability to receive full share value as our 3g market and revenue continue to grow. BM told me that he wants to maximize shareholder value, and I believe him.

7. NOK: the resolution of the 3g up to the payment date is a good thing. 1st, the 3g numbers are small. 2nd, no license agreement means no arbitration and the milk toast result. With no license agreement, and infringer is liable for much greater damage.

8. Panasonic: Great for us. The admission of infringement is important to their payment of fees, but of greater import to others in licensing discussions and, perhaps more importantly, as proof of infringement later in litigation, if that becomes necessary.

9. 802 products will pay us revenue independent of the 3g units used in the revenue projection graph. The size of the 802 market is uncertain, but they seem excited about the convergence of 802 and cellular. As 802 is incorporated into cellphones, the value of our inventions increases which should help raise our royalty percentage. As 802 independently expands, we will have a separate "product" line. Last year, BM told me that he was very excited about the 802 market and it's overall effect on wireless. This year, he gave me the same impression, although more closely guarded.

10. Employee Stock Options: The overhang of employee stock options has a defined end. The options are no longer used and their value spans into the 30's. Perhaps 7 million in the money, but any dilution is more than offset by our 300 million buy-back.

11. On the issue of the buy-back. During the meeting RF was asked where we stood. He reiterated the 20 million comment from the last conference call. RF says they won't tell us where they are until earnings anouncement durning the next conference call. My thought is this makes sense, especially if they are taking advantage of dips and if they are concerned about deals in the works.

I thought it was a solid, no surprises meeting. Quieter than the last. More stayed. I think this is an indication of the confidence they have in our future.

I hope this was helpful and not too repetative of others. Best to all, D

 

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: spencer who wrote msg# 156974
Date: 6/2/2006 2:37:39 PM
Post # 156976

Good question..Since Ericsson has the largest Global Share of 3G Infrastructure , perhaps some who follow Qualcomm can furnish some input as to Ericsson's royalty rate to Qualcomm for its Infrastructure sales?

RE:
What I'm wondering is why IDCC has said that they will be paid on all 3G terminal units, but they haven't said that they will be paid on all 3G base stations?

If IDCC's revenue will be 800 million in 2010 after getting paid for all 3G terminal units, then wouldn't it be around 1.5 billion if they could also get paid for all 3G base stations? But apparently IDCC does not think they can license all the infrastructure manufacturers. Why is that?

Ericsson 3G base station

 

Posted by: Data_Rox
In reply to: KAJO7710 who wrote msg# 156834
Date:6/1/2006 6:15:49 PM
Post # 156854

excellent - thanks for the report KAJ07710 - a buck and a half a phone for 3G is a great target.

R

 

Posted by: sinnet14
In reply to: jjff who wrote msg# 156792
Date:6/1/2006 3:20:00 PM
Post # 156794

I remember Data said about he would be happy to get .5% rate for 3G phones and he thinks that somebody claimed that IDCC to have 1% rate is too high.

Phones you got free after rebates don't mean manufacturer sell them for free. You got incentives from operators for signing up the plan agreement.

sinnet

 

Posted by: revlis
In reply to: TFWG who wrote msg# 156776
Date:6/1/2006 2:59:47 PM
Post # 156789

Bob,

Have to run. What I got from Samsung is that there could be a technology agreement along with a license agreement. BM said that Nokia liked to do everything in house but Samsung could be willing to work with IDCC on some R & D.

revlis

 

Posted by: bulldzr
In reply to: songioan who wrote msg# 156778
Date:6/1/2006 2:48:44 PM
Post # 156783

Sonny, I think the "Gurus" are talking about an average... hoping for $1 per phone over time.

Remember, so far (prior to LG) the only meaningful 3G revenues were coming from NEC, and maybe Sharp and a few others. These were relatively low volume, high priced handsets, hence a higher amount of royalty per phone. Some of the other 3G revs were derived from wireless cards. Also, even though we will record revenue from LG, it is a fixed amount. Currently LG's 3G unit volume is low, therefore the royalty per handset is high. As LG's volumes ramp up, our revenues per phone will decrease because the revenue is fixed.

Later and Best, bulldzr

 

Posted by: TFWG
In reply to: TFWG who wrote msg# 156775
Date: 6/1/2006 2:15:51 PM
Post # 156776

My comments....Just got back from the ASM....

Nothing huge to report:

1) IDCC has seen design wins in products to be offered by Phillips and IFX. Mark would not commit to profit by Q4, but they do expect profit.

2) IDCC is currently receiving plus $1.50 for 3g per handset

3) No update on buyback until Q2 reporting

4) Nothing new on China

5) Nothing to be said about Sammy.

6) IDCC expects to have a fully functional 2g/3g modem available for sale...this year?

7) LTE participant

Mr. Merritt $850M in revenue by 2010 is possible with 75% marketshare (speculation I'm sure, but nice for him to say it instead of me!)

9) Nice meeting over all, but mostly sizzle...no steak.

Best,

Bob

 

Posted by: TFWG
In reply to: jjff who wrote msg# 156772
Date:6/1/2006 2:12:32 PM
Post # 156775

Please remember, Mr. Merritt said it is over a $1.50 TODAY. IMO, as IDCC licenses a few more big dogs, the mix will change and the mean ASP will be reduced.

BB

 


WL ed: Sierra Wireless is an InterDigital licensee

Posted by: lastchoice
In reply to: None
Date:6/1/2006 9:31:09 AM
Post # 156724

Sierra Wireless expands HSDPA AirCard(R) PC Card line

The AirCard 875 is the company's 15th product in the AirCard family and offers true high-speed roaming on 3G networks worldwide

VANCOUVER, June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSX: SW) today introduced the 15th product in the company's flagship AirCard(R) product line, the AirCard 875 wireless wide area network card for HSDPA networks. The AirCard(R) 875 offers increased data speeds and high-speed worldwide roaming, with tri-band HSDPA / UMTS and quad-band Class 12 EDGE / GPRS connectivity. Commercial shipments of the card are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year.

"The AirCard 875 is the latest in a long line of high-quality AirCard PC Card products, built on Sierra Wireless's 13 years of wireless product development experience," said Trent Punnett...

According to the GSM Association, GSM-based networks (which include GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and HSDPA network technologies) have been deployed in 208 countries worldwide, with high-speed UMTS or HSDPA networks deployed in 50
countries. Compatible with all GSM frequencies used worldwide, the AirCard 875 offers true global connectivity to the best GSM-based network technology available(1).


The AirCard 875 is a Type II PC Card with a fixed antenna, supporting peak theoretical data rates of up to 3.6 Mbps on HSDPA networks(2) and is upgradeable to support future network upgrades providing peak data rates of up to 7.2 Mbps(2)....

For more information about the Sierra Wireless AirCard 875 please visit
http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/ac875.aspx.

 

WL note: HTC, an InterDigital licensee, manufacturers phones under other company labels, like i-mate.
Posted by: mschere
In reply to: None
Date:5/31/2006 2:19:38 PM
Post # 156620

I-mate promises Smartflip, Windows Mobile-based Razr competitor


By Kristen Beckman
May 31, 2006


DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Phone junkies have been speculating for months about i-mate’s forthcoming slim Smartflip handset ever since photos of the device were posted on the Internet earlier this year.

Now the company has offered a more concrete glimpse of the handset in its most recent newsletter with a blurb that proclaims the handset is coming soon.

The phone, which has been compared with Motorola Inc.’s popular Razr handset, is a quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE phone that includes support for Windows Mobile 5.0, a camera, and Bluetooth capabilities. The phone reportedly is 0.6 inches thick, on par with the Razr, and weighs 3.4 ounces.

The company did not officially release pricing information, but the phone is being offered for pre-order at a handful of reseller Web sites for $700.

The i-mate group of companies develops high-end smart phones based on the Microsoft Corp. Windows Mobile operating system, which are manufactured by Taiwanese design and manufacturing company High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) and sold under the i-mate brand.

mschere

 

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: lastchoice who wrote msg# 156576
Date:5/31/2006 10:18:44 AM
Post # 156578

IMO:Pantech should be FAR easier for IDCC to License for 3G, than either LG or Samsung..IMO:They hold little or no Patents and have cross licensed with no one!

2006-05-14
SEOUL, May 10, 2006: Pantech Group, the number two mobile phone manufacturer in South Korea, today announced the launch in Taiwan of the PG-6200, its new fingerprint recognition technology phone, as part of plans to expand its market share in the wider Asian region.

About Pantech:
Pantech, through its affiliates - Pantech Co., Ltd., Pantech&Curitel Communications, Inc. and Pantech C&I Co. - is the number two mobile phone company in South Korea and is the seventh largest handset manufacturer in the world. Pantech has been responsible for a number of breakthrough innovations in the mobile technology sector, including the introduction in 2004 of the world's first fingerprint recognition camera phone, as well as award winning camcorder, MP3 and DMB phones. In 2005, Pantech affiliate Pantech&Curitel Communications acquired SK Teletech Co., the handset manufacturing arm of SK Telecom, the number one mobile network operator in South Korea. The SKY brand, originally marketed by SK Teletech as the most popular premium handset brand in South Korea, has since become part of the Pantech brand portfolio. Pantech markets its products under the SKY and Curitel brands in the domestic Korean market and under the Pantech brand overseas. Pantech collectively has approximately 5,000 employees and 22 regional sales offices worldwide. For more information on Pantech, please visit www.pantech.com; or www.curitel.com/english

mschere

 

Posted by: MMC89
In reply to: None
Date:5/30/2006 7:25:23 PM
Post # 156517

FOCUS: Gartner Upgrades 06 Mobile Phone Forecast To 960 Million Units

7:16 PM EDT May 30, 2006

By Magnus Hansson
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

STOCKHOLM -(Dow Jones)- Strong first-quarter sales of mobile phones, primarily in emerging markets, led Gartner to raise its projection for the industry's full-year 2006 growth to 18%, and the research firm now predicts that 960 million units will be sold.
Worldwide mobile phone sales totaled 224 million units in the first quarter of 2006, a 24% increase from the same period in 2005, due to growth in Europe and North America holding up well and a surge in China and India sales that exceeded expectations.


"Mobile phone replacements in mature markets such as Western Europe and North America gave little sign of slowing down, strong (new) sales in regions such as Asia Pacific and Japan contributed to such a positive start in 2006," said Carolina Milanesi, principal analyst for mobile terminals research at Gartner.


Average selling prices are expected to continue sinking, however, and growth in the total value of the market should increase less than 10% from the $135 billion in 2005, according to Gartner's forecast.


The two largest mobile phone vendors, Nokia Corp. (NOK) and Motorola Inc. (MOT), both increased their market shares strongly in the quarter and together accounted for 54% of all mobile phones sold worldwide in the first quarter.
But Milanesi said second-ranked Motorola must come up with a new hit product to follow up on the very successful RAZR model to sustain its growth.


The nascent market for mobile phones with third-generation technology that allows high-speed data transfers, video calling and fast internet browsing picked up in the first quarter. Nokia did especially well in this market.
"Nokia is definitely the leading vendor in this space," Milanesi said.She noted that both Nokia and number 3 vendor Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (005930.SE) were late to the 3G market but that at least Nokia had now become strong.Vendors like Motorola that initially led the 3G market have suffered lately a need to take action to come back."Motorola need to revamp their product portfolio to take back market share," Milanesi said.Gartner expects the 3G market to more than double to between 100 million and 110 million units in 2006 from 44 million units in 2005.

Milanesi said she expects Chinese vendors such as Huawei Technologies Co. (HWI.YY), ZTE Corp.(000063.SZ) and Amoi Electronics Co Ltd. (600057.SH) to increasingly look at the 3G market, particularly for low-priced models."It's starting now and we'll see more going forward," she said. The Asia Pacific region showed strongest growth in the first quarter on the back of high volumes in China and India.Total handsets sales totaled 64.4 million units in the region for the first quarter, up 36% from thefirst quarter of 2005 with low and ultra-low tier phones were key growth drivers.Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, saw sales of mobile phones to end users grow 30% over the same quarter in 2005 reaching 41.3 million units, Gartner said.Growth in this region was driven by strong new subscriber additions in countries such as Nigeria, Russia and Ukraine while countries such as Poland, South Africa and Turkey saw strong replacement sales.Japan, Western Europe and North America all saw lower than average volume growth.

 

(In thousands of units)

Company 1Q 2006 1Q 2006 1Q 2005 1Q 2005
Mkt share Mkt share
Nokia 76,088 34.0% 54,960 30.4%
Motorola 45,519 20.3% 30,143 16.7%
Samsung 28,081 12.5% 24,480 13.5%
LG 14,509 6.5% 11,464 6.3%
Sony Ericsson 13,600 6.1% 9,906 5.5%
BenQ 7,868 3.5% 10,210 5.7%
Others 38,378 17.1% 39,830 21.9%
Total Market 224,041 100.0% 180,992 100.0%

Company Web site: http://www.gartner.com
-By Magnus Hansson, Dow Jones Newswires;+46 8 545 130 91,
magnus.hansson@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
05-30-06 1916ET
Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.


Ed note- IDCC licensees Sanyo, HTC, and Arima manufacture phones sold under other names, with royalties to IDCC
Posted by: revlis
In reply to: None
Date:5/30/2006 11:19:04 AM
Post # 156445

From the conference call dated 4/28 re: Nokia settlement

You know, at this point at a high level we cover about 35% to 40% of the 3G market and that’s including both WCDMA and CMDA2000.

My comment:

Summary of top 6 handset manufacturers:

Nokia: IDCC receives partial 3G royalties through Sanyo (cdma2000 - most think the Sanyo/Nokia jv will need a new license) Delaware and U.K. court cases

Motorola: IDCC receives partial 3G royalties through HTC 

Samsung: In arbitration

LG: licensed

Ericy: IDCC receives partial 3G royalties through Arima 

BenQ: status unknown. ( Speculation is that there is a BenQ/Infineon/IDCC connection )

mo
revlis


note: Panasonic, NEC and Huawei are all 3G licensees

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: None
Date:5/30/2006 11:13:09 AM
Post # 156444

Founded on April 27th, 2002, COSMOBIC Technology Co., LTD is a joint venture of NEC Corporation, ranked among the world leaders in computers communications and electronic devices, Panasonic Mobile Communication Co., LTD (PMC), known worldwide for the Panasonic brand of digital communications products, and Huawei Technologies Co., LTD. one of the leading manufacturers of telephone base station and other telecom infrastructure systems in China. Acting as a distribution base and effective utilization the accomplishment of joint collaboration of NEC and PMC, COSMOBIC aims to accelerate the penetration of the Third-Generation mobile handsets and mobile internet technologies.

NEC Corporation is one of world's leading providers for broadband networking and mobile internet. Focusing on two key domains---IT- Network integrated solutions and semiconductor solutions.

NEC has been at the cutting edge of research and development its field for over a
century, Innovation guarantees the ongoing success.

For additional information, please visit the NEC home page at: http://www.nec.com/

Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd. is an undisputed leader in the mobile communications industry, a claim which is backed-up by our premier market share in the highly competitive Japanese mobile communications market. Panasonic Communication Industrial specializes in three business areas: mobile communications, automotive multimedia, and system solutions.

For more information, please visit: http://panasonic.co.jp/pmc/company/en/index.html

Incorporated in 1988 and headquartered in Shenzhen , China , Huawei Technologies
is a private high-tech enterprise fully owned by its employees. Huawei specializes in the research and development (R&D), production and marketing of telecommunications equipment, providing customized network solutions for telecom carriers in fixed, mobile, optical network and data communications network.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.huawei.com/

COSMOBIC Technology Co.,LTD             URL:http://www.cosmobic.com

 


Posted by: mschere
In reply to: None
Date:5/30/2006 11:04:40 AM
Post # 156443

OLD PANASONIC 2G NEWS..RIP!

Panasonic to kill GSM phones for 3G Linux handsets

December 09, 2005 (IDG News Service) -- Panasonic Mobile Communications Co. is ending development of second-generation (2G) cell phones in the face of "severe global competition" to concentrate on development of third-generation (3G) Linux-based handsets, it said Friday.

The move makes Panasonic the first major cell phone maker to discontinue 2G handset operations. Sales of 3G handsets are climbing fast and becoming an increasingly important part of each handset maker's global sales. However, for many companies, 2G sales still dominate. Yokohama, Japan-based Panasonic, like many Japanese companies, was late to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) market, so such sales are less important for it.

The company, which is a unit of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., will now put its efforts into Linux-based 3G handsets. It's already selling such phones in Japan and hopes to reduce costs by using a common platform for its phones worldwide.

As a result of the decision, the company will close its research and development operations at Panasonic Mobile Communications Development Corporation of U.S.A., which has been working on non-Linux systems. The company's European research at Panasonic Mobile Communications Development of Europe Ltd. in the U.K. will turn its attention to 3G and other platforms, Panasonic said.

Additionally, the company will close Panasonic Mobile Communications Corporation of the Philippines, where it makes many GSM handsets, and close GSM production at Panasonic Mobile & Automotive Systems Czech SRO. GSM handset production at Panasonic Putian Mobile Communications Beijing Co. in China will be shifted to 3G handsets.

 

Posted by: Bill Dalglish
In reply to: revlis who wrote msg# 156436
Date:5/30/2006 10:55:50 AM
Post # 156442

revlis: Informative Infineon link in your post

Thanks!

Infineon did a fine job in the February 2006 presentation you link us to. Great graphics (therefore may be a little slow loading in dial up connection.

I'm glad IDCC's contributions to the stack part of the chip in partnership with Infineon may draw additional revenues beyond usual royalties.

You posted:

Old news

Infineon 3G baseband processor..DESIGN WIN..PANASONIC/VODAFONE

2G DESIGN WIN..benQ

http://www.infineon.com/upload/Document/press_releases/2005/Eul_Press_Briefing_10_02_06.pdf

Posted by: rmarchma
In reply to: sjratty who wrote msg# 156405
Date:5/30/2006 9:28:19 AM
Post # 156416

Sjratty re: Panasonic earned royalty

Panasonic received a paid-up license for 2G. Therefore the updated license signed in 2001 involving the $19.5m advance only covers sales of 3G products. Although the Matsushita/Panasonic 3G license was signed in 2001, royalty did not begin accruing until January 1, 2003. Therefore the $12m earned royalty represents 3 years of Panasonic 3G royalty.

Prorata that would be $1m of Panasonic 3G royalty per Quarter over the 2003-2005 time period. However I doubt that Panasonic's earned 3G royalty is an equal amount each quarter over the last three years. I would think that Panasonic sold significantly more 3G products in 2005 than they did in 2003.

 

Posted by: lastchoice
In reply to: None
Date:5/30/2006 8:50:43 AM
Post # 156393

InterDigital Issues Revenue Guidance for Second Quarter 2006; Solid Recurring Royalties

and Recognition of Nokia Revenue Benefit Quarter

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(Business Wire)--May 30, 2006--


InterDigital Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:IDCC) today announced that it expects total second quarter 2006 revenue to
be in the range of approximately $291 million to $293 million. Expected revenues for second quarter 2006 include the following
approximate amounts:

-- $228 million associated with the resolution of a dispute with Nokia related to a prior patent license agreement,

-- $50 million to $51 million of recurring patent license royalty revenue from its base of existing licensees,

-- $12 million of patent license royalty revenue related to resolution of a licensing matter with Panasonic, and

-- $1 million to $2 million of revenue related to technology solution agreements.

Additionally, InterDigital expects to recognize the balance of the revenue related to Nokia's $253 million

payment this year, recording $12.5 million per quarter in each of third and fourth quarter 2006. Panasonic is obligated to provide InterDigital a royalty report for first quarter 2006 sales. As InterDigital has not yet received the report, the second quarter 2006 forecast does not include per unit royalties from Panasonic.

Richard Fagan, InterDigital's Chief Financial Officer, noted, "We continue to benefit from solid contributions from our existing base of patent licensees and we remain optimistic about our prospects for growth as we continue to capitalize on opportunities in the growing 3G market. While the recognition of a large portion of the payment from Nokia in the second quarter will create an unusual quarter, the payment provides further validation as to our ability to generate value from our intellectual contributions to the wireless industry."

About InterDigital

InterDigital Communications Corporation designs, develops and provides advanced wireless technologies and products that drive voice and data communications. InterDigital is a leading contributor to the global wireless standards and holds a strong portfolio of patented technologies which it licenses to manufacturers of 2G, 2.5G, 3G and 802 products worldwide. Additionally, the company offers baseband product solutions and protocol software for 3G multimode terminals and converged devices, delivering time-to-market, performance and cost benefits. The company's financial strength and solid revenue base contribute to the continued investment in innovation and development that will shape the next generation of wireless technology. For more
information, visit the InterDigital website: www.interdigital.com.

 

Posted by: MTJBKH
In reply to: None
Date:5/30/2006 9:17:43 AM
Post # 156410

NEC handset alliance...

May 30, 2006

NEC Seeks to Cut Cellphone Costs With an Alliance

By SAYAKA YAKUSHIJI
May 30, 2006; Page B2

TOKYO -- NEC Corp. is in talks with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.(Panasonic brand) and Texas Instruments Inc. to form a mobile-phone handset alliance.

A tie-up would give a boost to NEC's ailing mobile-handset business, helping it break even by the latter half of this fiscal year, which ends March 31, NEC President Kaoru Yano said. NEC, once Japan's top manufacturer of cellphone handsets, saw its group net profit plunge 84% to 12.14 billion yen ($107.7 million) for the year ended March. In addition to foreign-exchange losses, weakness in its handset business weighed on its bottom line.

It sold 10.9 million mobile-phone handsets last fiscal year, compared with 13.1 million in the year ended March 2005.

A Matsushita spokesman said the Osaka-based electronics company and NEC have agreed to talks. A spokeswoman at the Japanese arm of Texas Instruments declined to comment.

A tie-up among the three companies would mark the latest development in an industrywide consolidation of handset makers, as they step up efforts to shoulder heavy research and development costs for third-generation handsets. The 3G service, which enables users to send videos and download Internet content at high speed, is becoming popular in Japan.

"Through an alliance [with Matsushita and Texas Instruments], we will be able to take advantage of scale to win back domestic market share, which is necessary for us to move into the market abroad," NEC's Mr. Yano said.

Write to Sayaka Yakushiji at sayaka.yakushiji@dowjones.com1

URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114895781930266016.html

Copyright 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc

 

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: mschere who wrote msg# 156362
Date: 5/29/2006 1:10:09 PM
Post # 154363

 

OLD IDCC News..

22nd September 2003

US : InterDigital Communications, a leading architect, designer and provider of wireless technology and product platforms, today announced that its Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) protocol stack technology, a component of InterDigital's complete WCDMA solution, will be utilized by Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) in solutions to be provided to Huawei Technologies (Huawei) under their recently announced partnership.

Under its joint development relationship with Infineon, begun in March 2001, InterDigital provides portions of Infineon's FDD protocol stack for wireless terminal devices. In accordance with that agreement, InterDigital would receive royalties on a per unit basis for baseband components sold by Infineon to Huawei that include the jointly developed FDD protocol stack.

"We congratulate Infineon and Huawei on their recent announcement," said Howard Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to contributing to their success, as well as the overall success of 3G wireless in China. The use of our FDD protocol stack technology, jointly developed with Infineon, is evidence that we are delivering competitive solutions to the 3G wireless market."


Posted by: mschere
In reply to: mschere who wrote msg# 156362
Date: 5/29/2006 1:10:09 PM
Post # 154363

OLD IDCC News..

22nd September 2003

US : InterDigital Communications, a leading architect, designer and provider of wireless technology and product platforms, today announced that its Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) protocol stack technology, a component of InterDigital's complete WCDMA solution, will be utilized by Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) in solutions to be provided to Huawei Technologies (Huawei) under their recently announced partnership.

Inset is President and CEO Howard Goldberg who is quoted.

Under its joint development relationship with Infineon, begun in March 2001, InterDigital provides portions of Infineon's FDD protocol stack for wireless terminal devices. In accordance with that agreement, InterDigital would receive royalties on a per unit basis for baseband components sold by Infineon to Huawei that include the jointly developed FDD protocol stack.

"We congratulate Infineon and Huawei on their recent announcement," said Howard Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to contributing to their success, as well as the overall success of 3G wireless in China. The use of our FDD protocol stack technology, jointly developed with Infineon, is evidence that we are delivering competitive solutions to the 3G wireless market."

 

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: Bill Dalglish who wrote msg# 156353
Date:5/29/2006 1:08:22 PM
Post # 156362

IMO:Huawei will be the 1st to market a WCDMA handset under $125, with IDCC Inventions inside!

OLD NEWS.

Infineon, Huawei aim for cheaper 3G phones


By Staff, ZDNet Asia
Friday , September 19 2003


German chipmaker Infineon has teamed with a Chinese telcom equipment firm with the aim of bringing down the cost of third generation (3G) mobile handsets.


Infineon and China's Huawei aim to build a low-cost 3G chipsets for the wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, reported official China news agency Xinhua.

Most 3G phones sell at over 5,000 yuan (US$603), but the two firms expect to bring prices down to that of 2G phones, which average less than 2,000 yuan (US$240) in China, Xu Zhijun, president of Huawei's wireless product line business was quoted as saying in the report.

Infineon will be responsible for developing reference designs and software, while Huawei will provide expertise in the WCDMA network, terminal testing and interfacing between phones and systems, according to the statement from the German firm.

Both companies will invest about US$20 million investment into the project, and the first operational phone based on the joint platform is expected to be ready by the middle of next year, Xu said in the Xinhua report.

Ulrich Schumacher, Infineon's CEO, said in the report that the obstacles 3G faced globally resulted from overemphasis on high-end multimedia and data applications market by telecom operators and equipment makers.

This meant sales volume was small, and operators and equipment vendors would not profit much from the rollout of the systems, said the report.

"The biggest question is how we can stimulate the 3G market and our co-operation with Huawei aims to find a right approach for that," said Ulrich Schumacher, president and chief executive officer of the German semiconductor firm in the report.

"Some 90 percent of customers of WCDMA in China won't use multimedia capabilities. It is more important to provide low-cost handsets, which support just voice communications and short messaging services, than to push high-end handsets with full functionality in China at present," Xu was quoted as saying in a report on Nikkei News.

At press time, Infineon in Singapore could not outline the features of the proposed 3G phone, except to say that it would emphasize voice over high-end multimedia and data applications.

mschere

 

Posted by: Bill Dalglish
In reply to: Data_Rox who wrote msg# 156356
Date:5/29/2006 12:11:19 PM
Post # 156360

Data: Very helpful! Especially liked "where our contribution..."

The real news in the releases was that the Linux smartphone reference design can run the Linux code in the same ARM9 that is doing the call processing for GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS (where our contribution to the stack is)...thus removing the need to have a distinct processor to run Linux in the device...which reduces the BOM (bill of materials). Real Time Linux (RTLinux from FSMLabs) handles interupts much easier than MS or Symbian does, and can play nicer in the "sandbox" so it doesn't cause the phone portion to crash as much.

I also perked up reading your statement:

Now...we have to see who adopts this reference design so we can get stack royalties (and IPR royalties too!)

Thanks, Data Rox!

Thanks, mschere, for bringing this potentially very good news about this very creative new Linux/Infineon chip (with InterDigital GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS contributions) to our attention in your posts last night!

Bill

 

Posted by: Data_Rox
In reply to: Bill Dalglish who wrote msg# 156353
Date:5/29/2006 11:22:57 AM
Post # 156356

Bill

The ARM9 has been the platform for Infineon for several years now - not based on IDCC....

http://www.infineon.com/cgi-bin/ifx/portal/ep/contentView.do?channelId=-73823&contentId=128117&a...

The real news in the releases was that the Linux smartphone reference design can run the Linux code in the same ARM9 that is doing the call processing for GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS (where our contribution to the stack is)...thus removing the need to have a distinct processor to run Linux in the device...which reduces the BOM (bill of materials). Real Time Linux (RTLinux from FSMLabs) handles interupts much easier than MS or Symbian does, and can play nicer in the "sandbox" so it doesn't cause the phone portion to crash as much.

If you look at the recent releases from Q on their partnership with MS, you'll see that the MSM 7XXX target is using an ARM11 for MS, and ARM9 for modem processing...a "dual core" that can keep the 2 processes distinct (as we all know MS doesn't play nice) and provide real time operations to both. It will certainly cost more than a single ARM9 core.


http://www.qualcomm.com/press/releases/2006/060504_microsoft_revolutionize_next_print.html

http://www.arm.com/iqonline/news/marketnews/13416.html


The ARM9 core runs the WCDMA/EDGE/GPRS/GSM protocol stack developed by Comneon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infineon, and drivers for Infineon's advanced 2G/3G radio chips in the RTCore real-time domain - and it runs the Linux platform plus smart phone utilities and graphical user interfaces in the non real-time domain.

Current mobile phones running operating systems such as Windows, Symbian or Linux utilise two processors to run the embedded software, an applications processor and a baseband processor which is normally used for communications functions

Now...we have to see who adopts this reference design so we can get stack royalties (and IPR royalties too!)

RTLinux powered 2.5G and 3G cell phones may be in production soon given market trends suggesting that fast real-time capability is one of the key barriers to a broad implementation of Linux in mobile devi


RE:
mschere, data: Does infineon/Comneon ARM9 result from IDCC-Infineon partnership?

If so, that certainly seems like truly positive news for InterDigital.

Would be a very positive outcome of the Infineon/Comneon partnership with InterDigital of 2 or 3 years ago to develop a chip like this, it seems.

Thanks mschere, for the fascinating articles you've posted Sun night on this new ARM9 chip's availablity.

Bill

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: None
Date:5/28/2006 9:06:16 PM
Post # 156345

IMO:This should be royalty bearing to IDCC..

RTLinux-powered cellphones may be in production soon, says FSMLabs
Posted : 29 May 2006

RTLinux-powered 2.5G and 3G cellphones may be in production soon given market trends suggesting that fast real-time capability is one of the key barriers to a broad implementation of Linux in mobile devices, said FSMLabs.

In a recent development project, FSMLabs and Infineon Technologies AG demonstrated working mobile phone prototypes based on real-time Linux. The RTLinux-powered Infineon prototype delivers what many companies have been promising—a single core handset solution, said the press release. The ARM9 core runs the WCDMA/EDGE/GPRS/GSM protocol stack developed by Comneon, a 100 percent subsidiary of Infineon, and drivers for Infineon's advanced 2G/3G radio chips in the RTCore real-time domain, and it runs the Linux platform plus smart phone utilities and graphical user interfaces in the non real-time domain. FSMLabs added that by getting rid of the extra processor allows bill of materials reductions, speeds the move towards highly integrated phone platforms, simplifies manufacturing, opens up methods of power savings, and removes performance bottlenecks imposed by the legacy serial line communication with the modem processor.

FSMLabs: we deliver products, not empty promises.

http://www.fsmlabs.com/index.php

mschere

 

Posted by: Data_Rox
In reply to: mschere who wrote msg# 156339
Date:5/29/2006 10:22:03 AM
Post #of 156352

mschere - my questions still stand re: LTE....but I'll modify for you. Please don't take it as a slam to IDCC, but I was asking real questions of you

do you really think IDCC is going to participate in LTE?

answer - yes

If so in what way? licensing, technology, ?

Have you reviewed the proposed IPR licensing associated with LTE?

http://www.3gpp.org/Highlights/LTE/LTE.htm

and here from IDCC's 2005 10K

Royalty Rates Could Decrease.


A number of companies have made claims as to the essential nature of their patents with respect
to products for the 3G market. Additionally, certain licensees and others in the wireless industry,
individually and collectively, are demanding that royalty rates for 3G patents be lower than
historic royalty rates, and in some cases, that the aggregate royalty rates for 3G products be capped.
For example, certain members of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
are seeking to require all members that hold essential patents to agree upon a predetermined
cumulative cap for royalties on the cost of all components of the next version of the 3GPP-based
radio standard commonly referred to as “Long-Term Evolution” or “LTE.” These members are also
trying to eliminate the possibility of any new royalty claims pertaining to LTE equipment being
lodged in the future. Both the increasing number of patent holders of 3G technology and the efforts
by certain industry members and groups to reduce and/or place caps on royalty rates could cause
a decrease in the royalty rates we receive for use of our patented inventions, thereby causing future
revenue and cash flow to be lower than we anticipate.

abridged post

Posted by: MSC290
In reply to: None
Date:5/26/2006 1:56:36 PM
Post # 156217

"Made in India" phones set to tap global markets

Fri May 26, 2006 01:00 PM ET

By Shailendra Bhatnagar

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India, already the world's fastest growing wireless services market, is set to become a handset manufacturing and export hub as giants such as Nokia and LG churn out millions of phones to tap voracious demand.

Global handset firms are knocking on the door of Asia's third-largest economy because of its established software industry, a booming domestic market and they want another manufacturing stronghold to offset the possible risk of operating plants in China.

"There is no question that everybody is planning for India to become a hub for (exporting) mobiles to the Middle East, neighboring countries and even Europe," said Rajiv Kochhar, chief executive at Mumbai-based Avista Advisory.

An "LG India" phone

Balance of article:

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=12351417

 

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: mschere who wrote msg# 156120
Date: 5/25/2006 3:32:16 PM
Post # 156121

QUALCOMM HINTS AT NO ROYALTY CUT FOR WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES


Asia Pulse
SEOUL May 25

The head of Qualcomm Inc. on Thursday hinted that the U.S. wireless chip supplier will not lower royalties for the use of its patented technologies for wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA).

WCDMA is an upgraded version of CDMA, which promises faster and better seamless data transfer at a high speed of network connectivity. Qualcomm owns most of the key patents for CDMA and WCDMA.

"For any given operator or any given manufacturer, the royalties are the same or higher for WCDMA than they are for CDMA2000," Paul Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm said in a press conference on the sidelines of Seoul Digital Forum 2006.

"WCDMA is CDMA," he added, hinting that there would be little adjustment in royalty payments in the new communications environment.

For each handset sold, local mobile phone manufacturers have to pay royalties of 5.25 per cent to 5.75 per cent, industry sources said. They have called for Qualcomm to lower the royalties as they move to adopt the WCDMA communications platform.

According to a report compiled by the Ministry of Information and Communication, the handset makers paid royalties amounting to 3.31 trillion won (US$3.49 billion) from 1995 to 2005 to Qualcomm for using the patented CDMA technologies

mschere

 


Posted by: mschere
In reply to: None
Date:5/23/2006 10:34:46 AM
Post # 155924

Nokia sees consolidation among mobile phone makers


Tue May 23, 2006 10:28 AM ET


HELSINKI, May 23 (Reuters) - The world's top handset maker Nokia (NOK1V.HE: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday it expects consolidation among mobile phone makers as competition makes life difficult for smaller players.

"I continue to see consolidation happen," CEO-designate Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told the Lehman Brothers Wireless and Wireline Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Kallasvuo said players with less than 15 percent market share, which include every company except Nokia and Motorola (MOT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), would struggle in the future.

Currently chief operating officer, Kallasvuo (l) will take over as chief executive from June 1 from Jorma Ollila (r), who transformed the company from a maker of rubber boots into the world's biggest cellphone producer.A 26-year veteran at Nokia, Kallasvuo held the role of chief financial officer for about 10 years and run Mobile Phones, Nokia's biggest unit by volumes and profits, in 2004-2005.

 

Posted by: lastchoice
In reply to: None
Date:5/22/2006 10:22:22 AM
Post # 155845

Verizon and Motorola Announce the Motorola Q

(video: http://www.vzwshop.com/q/ )

Exclusive to Verizon Wireless, The QWERTY Smartphone Delivers E-mail, Entertainment and Seamless Mobility in One Ultra-Thin Package

BEDMINSTER, N.J. and SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that the highly anticipated Motorola Q(TM) will be
available starting on May 31. The Motorola Q is exclusively available through Verizon Wireless and customers can purchase it online at http://www.verizonwireless.com on May 31 or at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store on June 5.

Perfect for customers who multi-task and want flexibility in today's fast- paced business environment, the Moto Q's style and phone-first mantra builds upon the design revolution created by the Motorola RAZR(TM) -- the best-selling clamshell handset in the world. The Moto Q -- which runs Microsoft Windows Mobile(R) 5.0 software -- delivers an uncompromising mobile experience in an all-in-one handheld device that combines the reliability of a greatphone, personal productivity capabilities, powerful enterprise connectivity and entertainment in a thin and stylish form factor.

 wireless broadband network -- to send and receive data. "The Moto Q is a real must-have device that enables true seamless mobility by liberating all of us from the constraints of our offices and living rooms," said Ed Zander, chief executive officer of Motorola, Inc. "On Verizon Wireless' broadband EV-DO network, the Moto Q brings together all of the converged solutions you need to work, stay in touch or have fun. With the best voice, data and design technology in one ultra-thin, intelligent, hard- working device, the Moto Q allows you to be productive and entertained wherever you go."

The Moto Q will redefine what customers expect from a QWERTY handheld. With Windows Mobile software, Moto Q puts a "mini notebook" in Verizon Wireless customers' pockets by providing enough power to let them leave their laptop at home to check e-mail*, review presentations, and stay connected for a week or a weekend. Couple that with its "cool enough for Friday night" design, multiple entertainment options and simple, intuitive features, and the Moto Q will help Verizon Wireless customers stay productive, creative and in- touch while on-the-go and however they choose. Denny Strigl, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless, said, "Enterprise technology, consumer electronics and mobile are converging to create major productivity advantages for the work world. But those advantages have only been available to a select few -- until now. The Motorola Q offers power, style and ease-of-use in a cool ultra-thin format, giving Verizon Wireless customers an uncompromising experience in one device."

The Moto Q also makes good business sense for companies -- big and small - - providing a converged mobility solution to help organizations improve their business, increase productivity and efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. Features of the Moto Q from Verizon Wireless include: -- Integrated Bluetooth(R) 1.2 wireless technology for communicating with compatible headsets, car kits and certain other devices equipped with Bluetooth** technology

-- EV-DO access for fast downloads of data, e-mail and large attachments

-- Wireless Sync for anytime connectivity with e-mail, calendar and contacts synchronization

-- Thinnest QWERTY device in the world - 11.5mm includes a familiar thumbwheel to enhance the navigation experience

-- Seamless access to corporate applications, messaging, organizational tools and IT support, from across the campus and around the world

-- Synchronization with e-mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks entries, regardless of platform or ISP

-- Integrated with Windows Mobile 5.0 software for the convenience of users and IT with access to Yahoo!, Hotmail(TM) and other POP3

-- All standard desktop document views supported including: Microsoft Word(R), Excel(R), PowerPoint(R), Adobe Acrobat(R), etc.

-- Supports audio and video formats

-- Dual, stereo-quality speakers

-- Easy integration with existing IT systems for enhanced IT support

-- Enabled for leading corporate e-mail solutions

-- Flexibility enables loading of standard corporate VPN

-- Password authentication helps ensure network integrity


Entertainment in Your Pocket


The Moto Q offers a portfolio of entertainment capabilities ranging from stereo music and video playback to Web browsing and instant messaging. This unique device allows customers to be entertained when they want. With an
amazing color screen, wireless broadband capabilities and a full media experience with Windows Media Player Mobile, the Moto Q's entertainment possibilities are unlimited.


Personal Productivity (etc.)

Billion--with a 'B'

 

WL ed: Motorola is not yet licensed with IDCC for 3G or 2G

Posted by: lastchoice
In reply to: None
Date:5/22/2006 8:48:25 AM
Post # 155842

PTC Selects Option GT MAX Delivering HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE Connectivity

to Polish Mobile Users

LEUVEN, Belgium, May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI; OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa Sp. z o.o. (PTC) has selected Option's GlobeTrotter GT MAX offering its mobile customers not only the fastest, but also the easiest to use 3G HSDPA/UMTS data card featuring Option's unique flip-out integrated antenna design. The GlobeTrotter GT MAX is customized to the exacting requirements of PTC and will be marketed as the "Blue Connect UMTS/EDGE/GPRS, HSDPA Ready". When PTC rolls out its HSDPA network later this year, a simple firmware upgrade via the operator's website will enable PTC's customers to connect at HSDPA speeds of 1.8 Mbps.

Since November 2005, Blue Connect data cards have been offered in the HSDPA-ready' version using two other Option data cards: the GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE 'HSDPA Ready' and the GlobeTrotter FUSION+ 'HSDPA Ready'. PTC announced in March of this year that HSDPA will be introduced within the framework of the Blue Connect service in 2006. PTC, with more than 10.2 million customers at the end of 2005, holds a leadership position in the Polish mobile market with a 35.1% subscriber share. Their Blue Connect is one of the strategic and most popular services offered by PTC promoting the 'fastest wireless internet - with no limit on data transfer or connection time'. Blue Connect enables convenient, high speed internet access whether at home, in the office or on the go. You just plug the Blue Connect data card to your laptop and let the system automatically choose for you the fastest locally available wireless internet access connection.

The GlobeTrotter GT MAX supports HSDPA 1.8 Mbps and 3G UMTS as well as
Quad band EDGE/GPRS connectivity. The wireless data card features Option's
unique and patented multi-band flip-out integrated antenna design. Once
inserted in a laptop, the GT MAX may be operated by simply deploying the flip
out antenna. For ease and convenience, the antenna is retracted for briefcase
or laptop carrier bag transport without the need to remove the wireless data
card from the laptop.

Billion--with a 'B'

 


WL ed.: OPTION NV is not yet licensed with IDCC for 3G or 2G

Posted by: lastchoice
In reply to: None
Date:5/22/2006 8:01:35 AM
Post # 155840

Handset Revenues to Peak in 2008 Reaching $129.9B

DUBLIN, Ireland--(Business Wire)--May 19, 2006--
Research and Markets

Mobile handsets generated $117 billion in revenue in 2005. The top three vendors increased share to over 60 percent of total revenue. This report considers the changing nature of a mobile handset and examines the wide range of applications impacting its development, including mobile music, mobile games, mobile TV, mobile camera, mobile camcorder, and mobile organizer. The report provides vendor market share and forecasts for the mobile handset market both in terms of revenue and subscribers for all the regions.

The mobile handset is evolving in two directions. On the one hand, it represents a convergence of feature-sets in a multifunctional device. On the other hand, it represents a divergence of feature-sets in devices focused on specialized applications. This evolution has turned a mobile handset into much more than a medium for voice communication, enhancing the utility of the device and accelerating its growth. This evolution also means that handset manufacturers need competencies in areas that were traditionally not their domain.

The roll-out of next-generation networks is opening up new frontiers in innovation in mobile handsets. The high speeds made possible by these networks are enabling a slew of new and novel applications. Increasingly, with the proliferation of applications, voice is becoming a secondary factor when purchasing a mobile device. As high-end markets reach near saturation levels in terms of new subscribers, low-priced handsets are emerging to cater to low-income groups, bringing the mobile phone within reach of all classes of society. Mobile handsets are beginning to penetrate pre-teen and senior citizen market segments, a factor that will make these devices virtually ubiquitous during the forecast period of this report. The mobile handset market has been witnessing phenomenal growth and mobile devices have been undergoing unparalleled advances. Nevertheless, many mobile vendors are finding it difficult to survive in this market as evidenced by the recent exit of Siemens and Alcatel from this business. The reason primarily lies in the falling prices of mobile devices at the low end and intensifying competition at the high
end.

However, prices of mobile handsets will keep shrinking and devices at the lower end will incorporate features found in high-end devices. Both of these factors will propel the growth of mobile handset shipments which will more than double over the next 7 years.

We project that the number of mobile handsets shipped will increase from 815.2 million units in 2005 to 1,694.4 million units in 2012. The shipments of UMTS handsets (WL ed = WCDMA), which will grow the fastest, will reach almost 1 billion in this timeframe.

The regions of Middle East & Africa, China, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America will witness double-digit growth in handset shipments over the next 7 years. On the other hand, regions that already have a high penetration of handsets, such as Europe, North America, and Japan, will see a slowdown in growth.

Despite increase in shipments of the other three major vendors, Samsung, LG Electronics, and Sony Ericsson, their market shares have suffered modest declines. BenQ-Siemens had a dismal year as it slipped from fourth to sixth position. Mobile handsets generated $117.2 billion in revenue in 2005, an increase of 14.9 percent over the sales in 2004. Mobile handset revenue will peak at $129.9 billion in 2008, and will then begin to decline, reaching $125.0 billion in 2012. In 2005, Nokia, Motorola, and Samsung garnered a share of over 60 percent of handset revenue. Sony Ericsson was in fourth place in terms of revenue.

Sony Ericsson 4th in revenue, LG 4th in shipments

Nokia, Motorola, and Samsung were the top three vendors both in terms of revenue and shipments, the report said. These three vendors increased their share of revenue to over 60 percent in 2005. Sony Ericsson was in fourth place in terms of revenue and LG was in fourth place in terms of shipments. The research report predicted that mobile handset revenue will peak at $129.9 billion in 2008, and will then begin to decline, reaching $125.0 billion in 2012. It said 815.2 million handsets were shipped in 2005, but the shipments will more than double by 2012 to reach 1.7 billion handsets.


According to the report, replacements will constitute 67 percent of handsets shipped by 2012. Due to falling prices of devices, revenue growth will significantly be behind shipments growth during the forecast period, it said.

Billion--with a 'B'

 

Posted by: olddog967
In reply to: mschere who wrote msg# 155799
Date:5/20/2006 2:41:55 PM
Post # 155804

mschere: While it is true the the current LG PLA does not cover unlimited 3G sales, any additional royalty will only occur under specific circumstances. Except in regard to CDMA 2000 infrastructure (see PLA article 2.4) there is no so called "threshold" amount in the PLA. In addition, while Article III of the license is titled "LICENSE FEE AND ADDITIONAL ROYALTY", when you read the article you will see that the only additional royalty is if LG acquires other terminal unit businesses.


RE:
IMO:This indicates to THIS Investor that LG's $285 Million is not for an UNLIMITED amount of 3G sales through the anniversary date of their 5 Year 3G license.

 

Posted by: rmarchma
In reply to: None
Date:5/22/2006 7:31:42 AM
Post # 155838 AND # 155878

IDCC quarterly revenues for latest five quarters as follows:

2005 First Quarter:
Total Quarterly Revenues = $35.5m

General Dynamics $4.7m

Recurring Royalty = $30.8m

NEC (32%) $11.4m ($3.3m fixed 2G per quarter and $8.1m 3G)

Sharp (27%) $9.6m

Sony Ericy (12%) $4.3m

Ericy fixed recurring $1.5m per quarter

Sanyo fixed PDC/CDMA2000 $1.1m per quarter

Others Recurring Royalty $2.9m

Total 2005 first quarter = $35.5m

2005 Second Quarter:
Total Quarterly Revenues = $38.6m

General Dynamics $5.5m

Recurring Royalty = $33.1m

NEC (36%) $13.9m ($3.3m fixed 2G per quarter and $10.6m 3G)

Sharp (20%) $7.7m

Sony Ericy (estimated) $3.1m (10% of total revenues for first six months less first quarter)

Ericy fixed recurring $1.5m per quarter

Sanyo fixed PDC/CDMA2000 $1.1m per quarter

Late royalty report from 1st qtr $1.1m

Others Recurring Royalty $4.7m

Total 2005 second quarter = $38.6m

2005 Third Quarter:
Total Quarterly Revenues = $48.5m

Past years true-up on new licensees $10.2m (Kyocera = $10m for one prior year)

Product and Technology $4.5m (Gen’l Dynamics $3.5m; Phillips $1m)

Recurring Royalty = $33.8m

NEC (24%) $11.6m ($3.3m fixed 2G per quarter and $8.3m 3G)

Sharp (19%) $9.2m

Sony Ericy $4.2m

Kyocera CDMA2000 fixed recurring $2.5m

Ericy fixed recurring $1.5m per quarter

Sanyo fixed PDC/CDMA2000 $1.1m per quarter

Others Recurring Royalty $3.7m

Total 2005 third quarter = $48.5m

2005 Fourth Quarter:
Total Quarterly Revenues = $40.5m

Product and Technology $4.3m (Gen’l Dynamics $2.5m; Phillips $1.8m)

Recurring Royalty = $36.2m

NEC (28%) $11.3m ($3.3m fixed 2G per quarter and $8.0m 3G)

Sharp (25%) $10.1m

Sony Ericy (10%) $4.0m

Kyocera CDMA2000 fixed recurring $2.5m

Ericy fixed recurring $1.5m per quarter

Sanyo fixed PDC/CDMA2000 $1.1m per quarter

Others Recurring Royalty $5.7m

Total 2005 fourth quarter = $40.5m

2006 First Quarter:

Total Quarterly Revenues = $51.6m

Product and technology fees $2.0m (primarily Phillips estimated at $1.5m)

Recurring Royalty = $49.6m

NEC (22%) $11.3m ($2.2m fixed 2G ended in Feb ‘06 and $9.1m ongoing 3G)

LG fixed recurring (22%) $11.3m (for 2.4 months in first quarter, full quarter = $14.3m per quarter)

Sharp (18%) $9.3m

Sony Ericy $3.9m (estimated based on 2005 average)

Ericy fixed recurring $1.5m per quarter

Kyocera fixed CDMA2000 recurring $2.5m per quarter

Sanyo fixed PDC/CDMA2000 $1.1m per quarter

Lucent CDMA2000 fixed $.7m per quarter (only includes licensed Tantivy patents)

Others Recurring Royalty $8.0m (includes HTC, RIM, Sierra, Sanyo for GSM/WCDMA, Toshiba, Option, Danger, Quanta, Arima, etc)

Total 2006 first quarter = $51.6m

IDCC did very well in the first quarter with the LG license to more than compensate for the declining quarterly revenues from both the NEC 2G royalties and General Dynamics. The LG license generated $11.3m in its first partial quarter. The ongoing LG fixed royalty will be $14.3m per quarter.

The $3.3m fixed quarterly 2G royalty from NEC ended in February, but the NEC 3G royalty revenues continue. The majority of the General Dynamics revenues were earned in 2005. The last $300,000 of product deliverables for General Dynamics was completed in the first quarter. The only thing that continues with General Dynamics is a $2m maintenance contract for 3 years, or $167,000 per quarter.

Notice the significant increase in “other” licensee revenues provided by a hodgepodge of different licensees, especially over the latest two quarters. This is especially meaningful since IDCC lost almost another $1m per quarter from other 2G licensees per the third quarter 10Q as follows: “In addition, by December 31, 2005, we will have completed amortization of deferred revenue from other 2G agreements, which collectively contributed $2.5m or 2% of our revenues in the first nine months of 2005.” I think that Arima Communications, who was signed at the end of the third quarter of 2005, might be providing a good bit of this latest quarterly increase in "other" licensee revenues.

Arima

Arima is Taiwan’s second largest handset manufacturer behind BenQ/Siemens. Arima shipped 4.26m handsets in the first quarter of 2006, and expects to ship 4.5m handsets in the second quarter. Arima expanded a plant in China that now has the capacity to produce 50m handsets per year. Arima is both an OEM manufacturer, and an ODM manufacturer for others. Sony Ericy is one of its largest ODM clients, but Arima also manufactures handsets for NEC and Toshiba. I’m not sure who pays royalty to IDCC when a handset is jointly produced by an ODM and OEM, who are both licensed with IDCC.

I will try to provide some additional thoughts on IDCC’s “other” licensees a little later.

The following carrythrough post by rmarchma is from his subsequent post # 155878, May 22, 2006

   I think that HTC is a significant part of other licensee revenues. HTC licensed with IDCC in December of 2003. They have grown by leaps and bounds since licensing, as an IDCC license appears to bring good fortunes upon its licensees LOL. During HTC’s fourth quarter, which would be included in IDCC's subsequent first quarter revenues, total HTC quarterly revenues were equivalent to $862m US dollars. HTC makes smartphones and PDA phones, which are both royalty-bearing, and regular PDAs which are not royalty-bearing to IDCC.

When HTC first licensed with IDCC, less than half its revenues came from phone-enabled devices. Now I would guess that a major percentage of its revenues involve phone-enabled devices, but I don’t know how much. I believe that a recent prepaid advance of $15m received in the first quarter came from HTC. If the prepaid is for 1 year, then the indicated quarterly revenues are $3.75m. If the prepayment is for 2 years, then the indicated prepayment is almost $2m per quarter. An excerpt from a previous post today on this issue as follows:    ..."in addition, the company has received a $15m royalty prepayment in the first quarter of 2006 from an existing Taiwanese-based licensee which had exhausted its previous prepayment".

Taiwan's HTC initially licensed with IDCC in December 2003, so any previous prepayment could easily be exhausted by the end of 2005. However, IDCC received a second prepayment of about the same amount based upon the following statement in the first quarter 10Q:

..."and approximately $31m which relates to new prepayments from two other existing licensees." (other than LG)

Bill Gates with HTC Universal

I speculate that this second $15m to $16m prepayment received in the first quarter is from either RIMM or Arima Communications. There was no indication on the second prepayment that it was also due to exhausting a previous prepayment, but only that it was from an existing licensee.

As to your question about the length of time that these prepayments cover, we really don't know for sure. I would guess between 1 to 2 years. However, I know that Sharp made a prepaid advance one time that was estimated to last for only 10 months at the time of the advance. We do know that Sony Ericy has made two prepaid advances estimated to last 2 years for each of the prepayments.

Kyocera KX1 for Verizon

I can't recall any prepayment to IDCC that was estimated to last longer than two years. BTW Toshiba made a $10m prepaid advance when they renewed their IDCC license in the third quarter of 2004 to include 3G. We have no idea how long that particular prepayment is expected to last either. If Toshiba’s indicated $10m prepayment is for an estimated 2 years, then that would be $1.25m per quarter for CDMA2000. This seems reasonable being that Kyocera’s fixed CDMA2000 royalty is $2.5m per quarter to IDCC, and Kyocera probably sales twice as many CDMA2000 handsets than Toshiba.

RIMM is another licensee that could be providing a significant part of the other licensee quarterly revenues. RIMM’s fourth quarter revenues amounted to $560m of which 70% or $392m pertains to handheld devices. RIMM sold 1.1m of these Blackberry devices in the fourth quarter, for an indicated average retail selling price of $350 per device. A 1% royalty would amount to almost $4 per unit, but I would think that there might be some maximum royalty cap per unit on these expensive devices.

Sanyo has a fixed royalty on CDMA2000 handsets of $1.1m per quarter, but a per unit royalty on GSM and WCDMA handsets. When Sanyo updated its license in 2004, $5m of the advance was allocated as a prepayment credit against the GSM and WCDMA future handset sales. I don’t know how large Sanyo’s market share is for these handsets, but they are selling dual-mode 2G/3G handsets to Vodaphone Live and Orange in Europe

Sierra Wireless and Option are recent licensees, who are also doing well and growing. However, I don’t think they provide significant revenues to IDCC yet. Sierra’s fourth quarter revenues were $37m for wireless cards, and Option’s first quarter revenues were $58.3m Euros. Option does expect its second quarter revenues to increase to $82m Euros, primarily due to modules and data cards incorporating HSDPA technology.

Option 3G HSDPA Data Card

Danger is another recent licensee, who makes the popular Hiptop devices. I think that they are a private company, and thus no public info is available for them. I don’t think that they would generate significant revenues to IDCC though. Quanta Computer licensed with IDCC late in the third quarter of 2005, along with Arima. Quanta is the world’s largest notebook computer maker, who has fairly recently entered into PDA phones. They had an order with Europe’s O2 for these devices, and there is speculation that they might receive some rather large orders from HP and Acer for PDA phones in 2006.

If I had to just make a guess and pull numbers out of the air, I would estimate the following breakout for “other” licensee revenues for the first quarter as follows:

HTC = $2.0m
Arima = $1.8m
RIMM = $1.5m
Toshiba =$1.2m
Sanyo per unit royalties = $.5m
All others = $1.0

Total Other = $8.0m

 

Posted by: Corp_Buyer
In reply to: rmarchma who wrote msg# 155854
Date:5/22/2006 11:47:37 AM
Post # 155857

"primary responsibility for royalty payment resided with the OEM whose brand name is on the handset" - given the choice, both companies will choose to use the lower rate, which is probably with a large OEM, so it seems logical that a large OEM with the lower rate will pay their royalties to IDCC.

Of course, when there is a small OEM with a higher rate than the ODM, or no license at all with IDCC, then the ODM must pay, it seems to me.

Thanks for all your financial analyses and commentary.

MO,
Corp_Buyer

 

Posted by: rmarchma
In reply to: rmarchma who wrote msg# 124890
Date:5/19/2006 1:50:10 PM
Post # 155770

IDCC’s Licensing Revenues by years and licensees

Detail re IDCC’s licensing revenues by year and by licensee from 1991 through the first quarter of 2006 as follows:

The following licensing/royalty revenue is based on info from the 10Q's and 10k's. The earliest I could get back to was 1991.

1991 = 0

1992 = $3m (possibly GM Hughes)

1993 = 0

1994:
Matsushita = $20m
Qualcomm = $5.5m
AT&T = $2.4m
Others = $0.6m

Total 1994 = $28.5m

1995:
NEC = $27m
Mitsubishi = $20m
Siemens = $13.6m in 1995 from a total $20m contract
Hitachi/Kokysai = $3.5m
Sanyo = $2.8m
PCSI = $0.8m

Total 1995 = $67.7m

1996:
Samsung = $23m in 1996 from a total contract of $35m
Siemens = $ 4.8m
One unspecified licensee = $0.9m

Total 1996 = $28.7m

1997:
Samsung = $3m
Siemens = $1.5m
Others Recurring Royalty = $1.5m

Total 1997 = $6m

1998:
Kyocera = $27m
Denso = $20m
Toshiba = $15m
Sharp = $6m
Alcatel = $5m
Siemens = $3m
Sanyo and Hitachi/Kokysai = $15m (can not break out this total between the licensees)
Others Recurring Royalty = $1m

Total 1998 = $92m

1999:
Nokia Paid-up P1 royalty = $31.5m
Nokia engineering services =$14m
Robert Bosch = $7.9m
Japan Radio and Shintom = $3.4m
Others Recurring Royalty = $9.5m (mostly Sharp)

Total 1999 = $66.3m

2000:
Nokia engineering services = $17.2m
Sharp Recurring Royalty = $18m
Others Recurring Royalty = $16.2m (Note: accounting change in 2000 that converted previous nonrefundable upfront advances into recurring royalty streams based upon earned amounts each accounting period)

Total 2000 = $51.4m

2001:
Nokia engineering services = $21.8m
Sharp Recurring Royalty = $16m
Others Recurring Royalty = $14.8m

Total 2001 = $52.6m

2002:
Total Revenues $87.9m

Denso discontinued standards $9.7m

Kyocera discontinued standards $6.9m

NEC pre-2002 infrastructure $7.8m

Nokia engineering services $4.5m

Recurring Royalty Revenues = $59.0m

NEC 2002 recurring $22.5m ($12.4m 2G settlement and $10.1m 3G recurring)

Sharp recurring $26.2m ($23.5m PDC and $2.7m GSM/3G)

Samsung arbitration $0.5m

Others Recurring Royalty $9.8m

Total 2002 = $87.9m

2003:
Total Revenues and Other Income $125.2m

Sony Ericy past years’ settlement $20.3m

Ericy past years’ settlement $10.6m ($14m - $3.4m expected insurance reimbursement )

Other past year true-ups $0.3m

Nokia engineering services $1.0m

Recurring Royalty Revenues = $93.0m

NEC recurring $33.4m ($13m 2G settlement and $20.4m 3G)

Sharp recurring $28.5m ($19.5m PDC and $9.0m GSM/3G)

Sony Ericy recurring $13.0m

Ericy fixed recurring $6.0m

Others Recurring Royalty $12.1m (includes HTC, RIM, Sanyo, Sierra, etc)

Total 2003 = $125.2m

2004:
Total Revenues $103.7m (Note only includes 3 Quarters of recurring per unit royalties)

Past years true-up on new licensees $1.4m

Licensee discontinued standards $0.4m

General Dynamics $0.1m

Recurring Royalty Revenues = $101.8m

NEC recurring $44.3m ($13m 2G settlement and $31.3m 3G)

Sharp recurring $25.1m ($12.1m PDC and $13.0m GSM/3G)

Sony Ericy recurring $12.7m

Ericy fixed recurring $6.0m

Sanyo fixed PDC/CDMA2000 $3.3m ($1.1m per quarter x 3 quarters in 2004)

Others Recurring Royalty $10.4m (includes HTC, RIM, Sierra, Sanyo for GSM/WCDMA, Toshiba, Option, Danger, etc)

Total 2004 = $103.7m

2005:
Total Revenues $163.1m

Past years true-up on new licensees $10.2m (Kyocera = $10m for one prior year)

Product and Technology Fees $19.0m
General Dynamics $16.2m;
Phillips $2.8m (for 5 months in 2005)

Recurring Royalty Revenues = $133.9m

NEC recurring $48.5m ($13m 2G settlement and $35.5m 3G)

Sharp recurring $36.3m ($9.4m PDC and $26.9m GSM/3G)

Sony Ericy recurring $15.6m

Ericy fixed recurring $6.0m

Sanyo fixed PDC/CDMA2000 $4.4m ($1.1m per quarter)

Kyocera fixed CDMA2000 recurring $5.0m ($2.5m per quarter x 2 quarters in 2005)

Others Recurring Royalty $18.1m (includes HTC, RIM, Sierra, Sanyo for GSM/WCDMA, Toshiba, Option, Danger, Quanta, Arima, etc)

Total 2005 = $163.1m

2006 First Quarter:

Total Quarterly Revenues = $51.6m

Product and technology fees $2.0m (primarily Phillips)

Recurring Royalty = $49.6m

NEC (22%) $11.3m ($2.2m fixed 2G ended in Feb ‘06 and $9.1m ongoing 3G)

LG fixed recurring (22%) $11.3m (for 2.4 months in first quarter, full quarter = $14.3m per quarter)

Sharp (18%) $9.3m

Sony Ericy $3.9m (estimated based on 2005 average)

Ericy fixed recurring $1.5m per quarter

Kyocera fixed CDMA2000 recurring $2.5m per quarter

Sanyo fixed PDC/CDMA2000 $1.1m per quarter

Lucent CDMA2000 fixed $.7m per quarter (only includes licensed Tantivy patents)

Others Recurring Royalty $8.0m (includes HTC, RIM, Sierra, Sanyo for GSM/WCDMA, Toshiba, Option, Danger, Quanta, Arima, etc)

Total 2006 first quarter = $51.6m

 

Posted by: Dave Davis
In reply to: mschere who wrote msg# 124719
Date: 8/31/2005 12:37:59 PM
Post # 155724

Just poking around the annual reports for some our licensees:

Seems like NECs business segment that applies to 3G is the 'Network Solutions' segment, in which they had about $16.8 billion in revenue for the 12 months ended March 31, 2005.

http://www.nec.co.jp/ir/en/library/annual/2005/pdf/ar05-18.pdf

Don't we (I-Hub members) have InterDigital's royalty revenue from NEC and Sharp broken out some place?

Ron Marchma or olddog?

 

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: None
Date:5/19/2006 9:10:08 AM
Post # 155737

HP smartphone


HP's PDA mobile phone for the Asia market is produced by Quanta. HP has launched the iPaq rw6818/6828 in Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand and plans to launch it in China soon.

iPAQ orders


Quanta has received new orders from HP for iPAQ 6800 series smartphones; HTC has orders for the 6900-series iPAQs. Inventec has set up a cellphone unit to try to win some of those orders for itself.

mschere

 

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: Eric who wrote msg# 155186
Date:5/12/2006 7:29:50 PM
Post # 155191

  Wireless air cards:  Option PCMCIA          Sierra PCMCIA 

Thanks for your input..I believe Cingular is also offering Option & Sierra WCDMA PCMCIA cards..

 

Posted by: Eric
In reply to: mschere who wrote msg# 155184
Date:5/12/2006 6:01:32 PM
Post # 155186

LG CU320 (l) and Samsung ZX10 

UMTS (WCDMA) in the USA

RE:
<< Question..Which of the top six, other than LG are selling WCDMA handsets in the U.S.? >>


They all will be by year end, but at the moment (and for the foreseeable future) Cingular is the only 3GSM UMTS (WCDMA) provider in the US and they are selling only the Samsung ZX10 and LG CU320 and they are only selling those in selected markets (16 major markets).

Best,

- Eric -

 

Posted by: my3sons87
In reply to: None
Date:5/12/2006 6:35:03 PM
Post # 155188

3qtr 2005 market share information on US sales.

U.S. Cell Phone Sales Reached 31.6 Million Units in Q3 2005

Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:02 pm

According to The NPD Group, the leader in market information for the wireless industry, mobile phone sales to consumers in the U.S. reached 31.6 million units in the third quarter of 2005. This number represents solid incremental growth of seven percent from the second quarter 2005 sales volume of 29.6 million units and an increase of more than 30 percent compared to sales during the same period in 2004. NPD estimates total third quarter 2005 consumer sales of slightly more than $2 billion.

"The handset market was very robust in the third quarter," said Neil Strother, research director for mobile devices at The NPD Group. "These numbers reflect strong replacement demand among consumers, coupled with more limited growth from new subscribers."

According to NPD's Mobile Phone Track, Motorola continued its leadership in the U.S. market during the third quarter, boasting three of the top five best-selling models, including its popular RAZR device at Cingular Wireless and T-Mobile. During the third quarter, Motorola's demonstrated strength was due in part to a significant gain in share within the Verizon Wireless handset portfolio. The battle continues to be intense among LG, Nokia, and Samsung for the number two market position.

Motorola Razr V3 

NPD reports that manufacturers' third quarter 2005 unit sales and market shares were as follows:

Company - 3Q 2005 Unit Sales (in thousands) - 3Q 2005 Market Share

Motorola - 9,458 - 30%
LG - 5,077 - 16%
Nokia - 5,032 - 16%
Samsung - 4,883 - 16%
Sanyo - 1,522 - 5%
Kyocera - 1,378 - 4%
Sony Ericsson - 1,150 - 4%
UTStarcom/Audiovox - 952 - 3%
Siemens/BenQ - 506 - 2%
Others - 1,625 - 5%
Total - 31,583 - 100%

  LG VX6100 

The top-selling handset models during third quarter 2005 were the following:

1. Motorola RAZR V3
2. Nokia 6010
3. Motorola V551
4. LG VX6100
5. Motorola V180

In the GSM market, Motorola had the leading share with 39 percent, followed by Nokia with 22 percent and Samsung with 14 percent. During third quarter, LG was the leader in CDMA handsets with a 27 percent market share, with Samsung and Motorola tied in second place at 18 percent.

 

Posted by: Learning2vest
In reply to: Eric who wrote msg# 155178
Date:5/12/2006 4:25:24 PM
Post # 155180

Eric, good get and much appreciated.

That statement appears to put the Nokia/QCOM licensing negotiations back on the "proportional" track Nokia has been making noises about recently. I'm talking about the idea that IPR licensing rates should have a direct relationship to the "proportional" value of the IPR contributions a firm has within each standard. Nokia appears to be saying that it's about ALL of the patents involved in making a 3G system function in compliance with a standard, not just some aspects.

It's going to be interesting to see how that argument plays out with both QCOM and IDCC in the W-CDMA standards.

 

Posted by: Eric
In reply to: Learning2vest who wrote msg# 155136
Date:5/12/2006 3:53:49 PM
Post # 155178

Nokia's Ollila on IP Pass Through ...

RE:

<< My read was that Nokia may also want to eliminate the license provision that allows QCOM to "pass thru" Nokia's cross-license IPR to QCOM's chip customers. >>

... in response to a question by Tim Long of Banc of America at Nokia's last Earnings CC:

... We respect other people’s IPR, and we are ready to reciprocate to participate in accessing the rights to such IPR, and we expect others to respect the similar principles. If you then look at how we have been able to approach all of this, we have also not only been much more active during the last three or four years particularly, but also much more efficient in supporting our rights, and one example being that a lot of discussion has been going around on pass-through rights. Nokia does not provide any pass-through rights to its patents. So, as an example, when we had in January of this year Kyocera joining a growing list of the CDMA manufacturers who have taken royalty-bearing agreements with Nokia, just as an example of how we have been put into a better position, something that we would not have been positioned to look into in the same way seven or eight years ago. ...


- Jorma Ollila, April 20, 2006 -

http://seekingalpha.com/article/9264

Along with Nokia, Motorola is one of about a dozen GSM/3GSM IP holders thought not to allow QUALCOMM to pass through any licensed or cross-licensed royalty IP.

Best,

- Eric -

 

Posted by: mschere
In reply to: rmarchma who wrote msg# 155167
Date:5/12/2006 2:06:44 PM
Post # 155171

InterDigital fully explains the CURRENT status of the Panasonic PLA on page 10 of the 2005 Annual Report.

RE:

He's referencing Carpenter's latest report dated May 3 as follows:

Hilliard Lyons Equity Research 2 Technology

InterDigital Communications May 3, 2006

"• IDCC could sign 3G agreements with other top 6 manufactuers this year. Among the top six manufactuers, only LG Electronics has a 3G licensing deal with IDCC. Based on their prior 2G relationship, we believe IDCC and Sony Ericsson could sign a 3G licensing deal by the end of 2006. Also, given IDCC’s success over the past two years licensing Taiwainse manufacturers, a 3G agreement with BenQ/Siemens is possible. Last, we believe IDCC will finally begin recognizing 3G revenue from Japanese manufactuer Matsushita(Panasonic) during 2006, with whom IDCC signed a 3G agreement in 2001."

mschere

 

Posted by: jimmylee
In reply to: None
Date:5/11/2006 9:57:31 AM
Post # 155042

Paul and Irwin Jacobs 

Article from Smartmoney.com -