Company: Qualcomm Incorporated, San Diego, CA
Company Description: Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm’s website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year - More Than 2,500 Employees

Nomination Title: Qualcomm Incorporated

Tell the story about what this nominated organization achieved since January 1 2011 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

For more than two decades, Qualcomm has been dedicated to promoting access to advanced wireless and data services to improve people’s lives--by driving invention, broadly licensing its innovations and providing equipment vendors with complete chipset and software solutions. 2011 saw some of the company’s biggest developments to date, solidifying its position as an industry leader in the development of exciting new telecommunications technologies.

In fiscal 2011, Qualcomm invested approximately $3 billion in research and development. That has fueled a great deal of innovation and has enabled our partners to deliver a steady flow of exciting new devices, applications and services to the marketplace. The company’s investments helped drive the 3G wireless revolution and today our innovations are laying the groundwork for the next generation of 4G networks, products and services. Qualcomm has shipped more than seven billion chipsets worldwide for both high and low-end devices, making the company the number one supplier of silicon for wireless.

In January 2011, Qualcomm acquired Atheros – its largest acquisition to date – strengthening its position in wireless connectivity and expanding the company’s expertise outside of handsets. Now, Qualcomm is defining a future where your phone extends beyond your hand to become a remote control for your appliances, your home, and your life.

In November 2011, Qualcomm commercialized mirasol displays, a revolutionary technology that delivers color and interactive content that can easily be viewed in a variety of lighting environments, including bright sunlight, without sacrificing battery life. Four e-reader devices featuring mirasol displays are commercially available in various Asian countries and – with a larger commercial fab coming online later this year in Taiwan – the opportunities for additional markets and devices are expanding.

Also in November, Qualcomm expanded its wireless charging offerings into the electric vehicle space with the acquisition of Halo—a leading provider of wireless charging technology for electric road vehicles. This industry-changing technology uses inductive charging, which requires no plugs. By simplifying the process and easing the charging burden, Qualcomm believes it can increase the adoption rate of wireless vehicles.

Qualcomm continued to improve on its widely heralded Snapdragon processor. By the end of 2011, Snapdragon processors powered more than 300 device models worldwide with 350 more in development. Every Windows phone on the market today is powered by a Snapdragon processor. Working with Google and others, the company played an integral role in bringing the first Android-based smartphones to market. As a result of early investments in this platform, over 30 manufacturers have launched more than 250 device models running Android and using Qualcomm technology.

The company’s wireless health division, Qualcomm Life, is defining and connecting the wireless health network to improve lives and advance the capabilities of medical devices. With the help of 2Net, launched in December 2011, these technologies empower medical device manufacturers to deliver wireless health quickly, easily and reliably to those who need it. Patients can connect multiple devices, and simultaneously send information about their health conditions to their health care providers--regardless of their location.

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Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated company:

Dr. Paul E. Jacobs is chairman of Qualcomm’s board of directors and the Company’s chief executive officer. Through his technology innovations and advocacy, Dr. Jacobs spearheaded Qualcomm’s efforts to develop and commercialize mobile technology breakthroughs that have contributed significantly to the growth of both the Company and the industry. As an innovative leader of a broad range of technical teams within Qualcomm, Dr. Jacobs has been granted more than 40 patents for his inventions in the areas of wireless technology and devices.