Qualcomm’s business segments
Qualcomm's business offering includes a range of products and services, split across three reportable segments. The company conducts business primarily through its QCT semiconductor business and the QTL licensing business. QCT develops and supplies integrated circuits (ICs) and system software based on 3G/4G/5G and other technologies for use in mobile devices, wireless networks, broadband gateway equipment, consumer electronics, IoT devices, and automotive systems for telematics and infotainment.The QTL segment grants licenses or provides rights to use portions of their intellectual property portfolio, including certain patent rights that are essential to and/or useful in the manufacture and sale of certain wireless products. Finally, the QSI segment makes strategic investments, with a focus on expanding or opening new opportunities for Qualcomm’s technologies as well as supporting the design and introduction of new or enhanced products and services.
Qualcomm’s competitors
Qualcomm ranked first among fabless IC companies in 2021 – firms that only design chips and rely on contract chip makers, or foundries, for fabrication. Qualcomm is a leading customer of both 5-nanometer and 7-nanometer wafers: 5nm chips are used in the latest smartphone devices, with Qualcomm controlling around 30 percent of the smartphone SoC market in 2021. Demand for 5nm chips is set to increase further in 2022 as more 5G devices hit the market, with Qualcomm expected to lead the 5G smartphone SoC market alongside Apple and MediaTek.Qualcomm is also a leading contributor to innovations and inventions concerning wireless technologies, notably 5G, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi 6. Qualcomm is recognized among notable firms such as Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia with regards to its wireless technology technical contributions, and is one of the leading owners of 5G patents. The company also has specialties in other technologies used across the wireless ecosystem including AR/VR/XR and device charging features.
