Qualcomm Announces Wireless Reach BREW Application Funding Winners

Qualcomm, a leading developer and innovator of code division multiple access (CDMA) and other advanced wireless technologies, today announced the winners for the company’s Wireless Reach BREW Application Funding Program. As part of Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach initiative, the $1 million fund is designed to increase the availability of useful wireless applications in countries around the world, according to a company statement.

Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach BREW Application Funding Program challenged developers to create the most innovative BREW public service application in one of five areas: health care, education, public safety, governance and the environment. Qualcomm is awarding grants to the most innovative proposals for BREW applications.

The grand prize winner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) of India, is an IT services, business solutions and outsourcing organization. TCS will receive a grant for $100,000 for development of its proposed application. The application development team, led by TCS’ head of advanced technology and applications, Dr. Arun Pande, will demonstrate how CDMA networks can help provide specific and useful advice to farmers and spread the benefits of technology deep into rural India at an affordable cost. For the grand prize, Qualcomm will apply additional funds to put TCS’ proposal into action through a new or existing Wireless Reach project.

The other grant recipients, each receiving US$100,000, plan to develop a variety of advanced BREW applications with the support of Qualcomm’s funding program. They include:

• Bandung Institute of Technology: Ria L. Moedomo, PhD student (Bandung, Indonesia). The application provides a system to assist in processing and analyzing the poultry sales and distribution process to track and combat against avian influenza (bird flu).

• Beijing InfoQuick SinoVoice Speech Technology: Lenny Zhang, chief executive officer (Beijing). The application, called Sbikit, uses text-to-speech and automatic speech-recognition technologies to assist visually impaired people in communication.

• BeWell Mobile Technology: Shahin Bakhshandeh and Chris Ungson, cofounders; Sarah De Young, director (Walnut Creek, Calif.). The applications, titled Asthma Assistant and Diabetes Assistant, are part of a flexible platform solution for patient-engagement software that can be adapted to a broad range of uses in the areas of health and wellness, education, research, preventive care and chronic disease management.

• University of California, Berkeley: Dr. John Canny, professor, computer science division (Berkeley, Calif.). The application, called MILLEE for Mobile and Immersive Learning for Literacy in Emerging Economies, uses game-like learning on cell phones to improve literacy.

“Qualcomm is very proud to recognize these organizations and their creative efforts to develop BREW applications that will serve the public interest,” said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm, in the company statement. “The innovative applications they’ll design hold great potential to enhance the quality of life for all who use them. As mobile broadband services expand into underserved communities, we’re pleased to support these developers in our shared commitment to improve the way people communicate and access information around the world.”

—Esther Schindler

Related Links:

• The IT Manager’s Essential Guide to India
• Municipal Wi-Fi and Mesh Networks: Beyond Hanging Out on the Digital Corner