IBM Servers Running Linux Help Enable the Development and Download of Compelling Wireless Applications and Services

ARMONK, NY -- Jan 21, 2004 -- LINUXWORLD /Wi-Fi Technology News/- IBM announced that QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, is taking advantage of open standards-based IBM eServers running Linux to support the company's BREW? system. IBM systems help enable the BREW solution, which allows users to download a wide variety of wireless applications, mobile email and messaging, games and ringtones.

With additional scalability and stability provided by the combination of IBM and Linux, QUALCOMM can extend the BREW-based wireless services to more users and key companies in the industry.

"We chose IBM systems and Linux so that we can easily scale up our server workloads and deliver greater reliability and price performance to our customers," said Gina Lombardi, senior vice president of marketing and product management, QUALCOMM Internet Services. "Today, using smaller, open standards-based IBM servers, we can scale up operations dynamically to support evolving projects and meet spikes in demand. Linux further simplifies the datacenter architecture by removing the restrictions of a proprietary operating system from the equation."

QUALCOMM is running Red Hat Linux version 7.3 on more than 200 clustered IBM eServer x335 systems. Based on IBM mainframe-class technology, the IBM x335s are high-performance, 2-way SMP servers that use Intel Xeon-Processors, allowing QUALCOMM to link together these low-cost servers in powerful clusters or computing grids.

The IBM clustered system runs IBM WebSphere Application Server and supports the BREW extranet -- a virtual clearing-house to host the development and deployment of BREW-based applications. Thousands of application developers, content providers, device manufacturers and operators worldwide access the site to submit new applications to the BREW virtual marketplace. More than 72 million BREW-based applications have been downloaded worldwide to date.

"Using industry standards -- whether it be Linux, Intel-based servers or CDMA -- provides benefits that have a ripple effect in efficiencies across organizations," said Rod Adkins, vice president development, IBM Systems Group. "Innovative businesses like QUALCOMM are realizing the powerful benefits engendered by the combination of industry standards and IBM's innovative technology."

QUALCOMM worked with Direct Systems Support (DSS), an IBM premier business partner headquartered in San Diego, to implement the IBM system.

About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.