CommQuest Announces a Tri-Band GSM Chipset for the "WorldPhone" -- One World, One Phone, One Solution.

ENCINITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jan. 26, 1998--CommQuest Technologies, Inc., today unveiled a breakthrough solution for the wireless communications market that allows a single cellular phone to operate in virtually all of the world's major cities.

The Tri-Band GSM Chipset is the first highly integrated 2-chip solution allowing handset manufacturers to produce a "World Phone" that can roam among all three GSM frequency bands: 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz. GSM has become the world's de facto digital cellular standard, with more than 60 million customers in 110 countries.

"As our global society continues to evolve, people need a single wireless phone they can use everywhere they go. Our Tri-Band GSM Chipset makes that possible," stated Dr. Hussein El-Ghoroury, founder and CEO of CommQuest. "Furthermore, by leveraging of our Total System Solution offering, manufacturers can take a product from concept to market for a fraction of the cost and in a fraction of the time that is typically required when working with multiple vendors."

CommQuest's GSM Total System Solution(TM) includes everything needed to build a GSM handset, including RF, baseband, integrated software and test support. CommQuest is the only company today making these services available commercially -- from a single source. CommQuest's Total System Solution is enabling new players to enter the cellular market and established handset manufacturers to diversify and expand their product offerings.

The Tri-Band GSM Chipset consists of two highly integrated circuits performing the functions from the audio/data I/O to the radio (RF) front-end interface. These circuits include a single CASP(TM) (CQT 2210) device for baseband and IF processing and a tri-band RF transceiver (CQT 2240) for operation in the 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands. The CQT 2210 is packaged in a 196-pin BGA with the CQT 2240 in a 48-pin TQFP. Both devices operate at 2.7V minimum.

CommQuest's advanced integration allows the component count in a handset to be reduced from approximately 400 to only 250. Its proprietary 1-bit sampling technology also minimizes power consumption, resulting from a current drain of less than 2 mA in idle mode and 90 mA in active mode. This provides more than 600 hours of standby time and 5 hours of talk time (with a 3.6 V, 1200 mAH battery).

The Tri-Band GSM Chipset will be available in production quantities for $25 per, with a total handset bill-of-materials (BOM) cost around $75-$80. Beta samples of the Tri-Band GSM Chipset will be shipping in the second quarter with phones incorporating the Tri-Band solution targeted for production in the fourth quarter of 1998.

CommQuest will also have OEM development kits available, which include the chipset, evaluation board, reference design, Tri-Band protocol software, reference application layer software, software customization tools and test utilities. Full Type Approval test plans and procedures and a comprehensive manufacturing test tool set are also included.

CommQuest Technologies, Inc., founded in 1991, specializes in developing innovative Total System Solution chipsets for a wide range of digital communication applications. Located in San Diego's burgeoning "Telecom Beach" area, CommQuest's products are based on its patented CASP(TM) (Communication Application Specific Processor) architecture, unique 1-bit analog/digital conversion technique and proprietary library of communication logic elements called CommSyntax(R).

Current products include highly integrated GSM and AMPS chipsets for cellular and PCS applications, a receiver/decoder chip for DBS applications and a wide variety of high-performance satellite communication modems. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.cqt.com .

CONTACT: CommQuest

Marilyn Jordan, 760/633-1618

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The Townsend Agency

Susan Hetzel, 619/457-4888

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