Universal Scientific Industrial

São Paulo – February 5, 2018 – In São Paulo today Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, and Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (USI), a subsidiary of Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. (ASE), signed an agreement to form a joint venture. This joint venture, which remains subject to various closing conditions, would focus on an installation of a semiconductor module facility in São Paulo dedicated to the design, development and fabrication of modules and components for smartphones and IoT devices in Brazil.

The agreement formalizes the non-binding memorandum of understanding signed by the two parties in March 2017 with the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC), the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (MIDC) and Investe Sao Paulo, representing the Sao Paulo State government. The agreement to form the joint venture is a result of ongoing collaboration among Qualcomm Technologies, USI and the government entities who have been working together to lay the foundation and foster the growth of the semiconductor industry in Brazil, as well as set the conditions for the possible creation of this joint venture.

Building on the heritage and industry leading Qualcomm® technologies, the flagship products of the joint venture will be a line of system in package modules powered by Qualcomm® chipsets and the modules include, in a single component, the radio frequency and digital components for smartphones and IoT devices. These products are designed to help dramatically simplify the device engineering and manufacturing processes, and should also provide cost and development time savings to OEMs and IoT device manufacturers. Manufacturing these components in Brazil may also assist in the reduction of the import deficit of integrated circuits, by expanding and diversifying the Brazilian production of semiconductors.

"The platforms and solutions of Qualcomm Technologies continue to support and accelerate the mobile industry and beyond,” said Cristiano Amon, president, Qualcomm Incorporated. “The collaboration between Qualcomm Technologies and USI aims to develop best-in-class solutions for smartphones and IoT system platforms by offering connectivity, security and accessibility that customers need to create innovative products and better user experiences.”

"This project should help foster the adoption of IoT in Brazil, as some of the technology platforms being supported by this joint venture will be designed with an eye towards helping to facilitate the development and manufacturing of connected devices beyond smartphones across the country," said Rafael Steinhauser, senior vice president and president, Qualcomm Latin America.

“USI has been at the forefront of miniaturization technology for more than 15 years. Our track record and experience make us an ideal collaborator for the manufacturing of highly integrated multi-component modules used in smartphones and IoT devices,” said Mr. C. Y. Wei, president of USI. “Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America with a significant growth potential for integrated modules. USI will be utilizing the technological competence of its parent company, ASE, to help build up the semiconductor cluster in Brazil and Latin America. We are excited to be a part of this joint venture that could help boost local employment in the next five years,” he added.

“The creation of this joint venture by world class companies is a major step towards the insertion of Brazil into the global semiconductor chain, accelerating the development of high technology products and creating important competencies in our country by bringing highly specialized jobs to Brazil in the areas of design and manufacturing of semiconductor modules”, says the Minister of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications, Gilberto Kassab.
The joint venture is likely to be set up in the state of Sao Paulo as a result of the effort and collaboration between the State of Sao Paulo, USI and Qualcomm Technologies. Assuming successful formation, the joint venture is expected to start manufacturing in 2020.


About Qualcomm
Qualcomm's technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. We pioneered 3G and 4G – and now we are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Our products are revolutionizing industries, including automotive, computing, IoT, healthcare and data center, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including, our QCT semiconductor business. For more information, visit Qualcomm’s website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.


About the ASE Group
The ASE Group is among the main independent suppliers of semiconductor manufacturing services in mounting, testing and conception of materials and design fabrication. As a global leader, it meets the growing demands and necessities of the industry for more performance in faster and smaller chipsets by developing and offering an ample portfolio of solutions and technologies that include design of integrated circuit test programing, front-end engineering tests, wafer probes, flip chips, systems in package, final test services and manufacturing of electronics through Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries, members of the ASE Group. For more information, visit the website www.aseglobal.com.


About USI
USI is a global ODM/EMS leading company providing design, miniaturization, material sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, and after services of electronic devices/modules for brand owners. USI is a member of ASE Group and has been listed in Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2012. It has many years of experience in the electronics manufacturing services industry and leverages the industry-leading technology of ASE Group, which enables USI to offer customer diversify product in the sectors of wireless communication, computer and storage, consumer, industrial, and automotive electronics worldwide. Through the sales service network in North America, Europe, Japan, China, Taiwan, and manufacturing sites in China, Taiwan and Mexico. USI has about 15,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the website www.usiglobal.com.

Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. 
Qualcomm chipsets are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. 


Qualcomm Contacts:
Pete Lancia, Corporate Communications
Phone: 1-858-845-5959
e-mail: corpcomm@qualcomm.com

John Sinnott, Investor Relations
Phone: 1-858-658-4813
e-mail: ir@qualcomm.com

USI Contact:
Polly Wen
Phone: +86-159-0090-1327
e-mail: polly_wen@usiglobal.com