Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report - Our environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in 2021
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Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report Our environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in 2021
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Table of Contents 2
Table of
Contents
Message from Our CEO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03 ESG Performance Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . 38
About Qualcomm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04 Progress on Our Goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Qualcomm for Good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06 Global Reporting Initiative
Content Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Our Corporate Responsibility
Governance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07
Sustainability Accounting
Our Approach to Standards Board Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Stakeholder Engagement. . . . . . . . . . . 08
Task Force on Climate-related
Our Goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Financial Disclosures Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Our Awards and Recognitions. . . . . . . . 11
Our Alignment with the
Key Accomplishments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Purposeful Innovation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
About This Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Responsible Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Our People. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
STEM Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Message from Our CEO 3
Message from Our CEO
At Qualcomm, we believe we can help address
the environmental, social and economic impacts
of climate change by working together across
numerous sectors of society. We set new, ambitious
What an extraordinary time to step into the role of Our long-standing collaboration with FIRST has climate goals, including reaching net-zero global
CEO at Qualcomm! The need for our technologies actively contributed to the development of science, greenhouse gas emissions for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by
and products has never been more apparent. Our technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) 2040 and committed to the Science Based Targets
innovations are transforming industries, improving programs for thousands of young people around initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C.
billions of lives and addressing some of society’s the world, engaged hundreds of our employees and With this report, we also mark 15 years of annual
biggest challenges. We are enabling a world brought talent into our workforce pipeline and the corporate responsibility reporting and are proud to
where everyone and everything can be intelligently ecosystem at large, enabling the students of today be included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North
connected while promoting sustainable economic become the inventors of tomorrow. America Index, which is comprised of companies
growth to help shape a better future for everyone. that are leading in ESG performance and disclosure,
We also pledged to help India—where so many and to be ranked among Newsweek’s list of
This year we continued to face global challenges, of our fellow employees and friends call home— America’s Most Responsible Companies for the
including poverty, access to education, digital fight the pandemic through critical hospital third consecutive year.
inclusion, racial and social injustice, the ongoing infrastructure, medical equipment and supplies.
COVID-19 pandemic and the environmental, social
and economic impacts of climate change. That’s I am especially proud of our employees for their
why it’s more important than ever to embrace steadfast dedication, whether working from
the tremendous technology opportunity before home or supporting the continuity of our business
us and provide innovative solutions to society’s operations onsite. Our accomplishments are the
biggest challenges. result of a world-class organization of innovators
who are collaborative, resilient and focused on
At Qualcomm, we continue our long history of the future. Your health and safety remain our We have what it takes to continue making the
philanthropic and community involvement when top priority. impossible possible—the best and most talented
and where it’s needed the most. team in the industry, proven technology leadership
We continue to foster diverse, inclusive teams and
with a strong heritage in wireless communications
We’re building on our legacy of sustainable ensure our programs and policies promote diversity,
and high-performance, efficient computing and
innovation and using our technologies to enrich equity and inclusion. In 2021, we published our
a relentless drive to make a positive difference in
underserved communities and inspire tomorrow’s Global Inclusion and Diversity Policy and publicly
the world. We will continue to invest in our leading
workforce. In 2021, we celebrated 15 years of confirmed that worldwide, we provide equitable pay
product and technology roadmap to empower
strategic corporate social impact programs, to our employees. We also introduced the Racial
people, transform communities and protect the
including Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ and our Justice Giving Initiative to listen more and involve
planet for years to come. I am proud to serve as
partnership with FIRST®. our employees in our support of organizations
Qualcomm’s CEO and excited for the future ahead
driving systemic change in racial justice and equity
Bringing advanced wireless technologies to people of us.
in the U.S. We are proud to be named on Forbes’
and communities who need it most, Wireless Reach Best-In-State Employer and Best Employers
has impacted more than 24 million people, with for Diversity lists, Human Rights Campaign’s
over 132 projects across 49 countries—a testament Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality list and
to how our leading-edge innovations can accelerate Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list, among
sustainable and inclusive development across others, recognizing that our efforts are having Cristiano Amon
the globe. a tangible impact. Chief Executive Officer
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | About Qualcomm 4 About Qualcomm
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | About Qualcomm 5
About Qualcomm Revenue in Fiscal 2021
$27.0b $6.3b
Qualcomm* is the world’s leading wireless
technology innovator and the driving force behind Our Qualcomm CDMA
the development, launch and expansion of 5G. Technologies (QCT)
When we connected the phone to the internet, the
mobile revolution was born. Today, our foundational
Production Model
technologies enable the mobile ecosystem and are Other than for our RF front-end modules and RF QCT Qualcomm CDMA Technologies QTL Qualcomm Technology Licensing
found in every 3G, 4G and 5G smartphone. With filter products (described below), QCT utilizes a
our one technology roadmap we bring the benefits fabless model, which means that we do not own QCT is a leading developer and supplier QTL grants licenses or otherwise
of mobile to new industries at the connected or operate foundries for the production of silicon of integrated circuits and system provides rights to use portions of our
intelligent edge, including automotive, edge wafers from which our integrated circuits are software based on 3G/4G/5G and other intellectual property (IP) portfolio.
networking and the Internet of Things (IoT), and made. Therefore, we primarily rely on third parties technologies for use in wireless voice
are leading the way to a world where everyone to perform the manufacturing and assembly,
and data communications, networking,
and everything is intelligently connected. and most of the testing, of our integrated circuits
based primarily on our proprietary designs and computing, multimedia and global
Throughout our history, we’ve made the test programs. Our suppliers are also responsible positioning systems products.
“impossible” possible. The expansion of 5G is just for the procurement of most of the raw materials
one example, inspiring new inventions that help used in the production of our integrated circuits.
enable our customers and partners to create The majority of our foundry and semiconductor
technologies we’ve yet to imagine. When we break assembly and test suppliers are located in the
$45m $182m
through, the ecosystem leaps forward and the world Asia-Pacific region.
benefits by the competitive options that emerge.
QCT primarily uses internal fabrication facilities to
Our products are revolutionizing industries beyond manufacture certain RF front-end modules and RF
mobile, including automotive, computing and the IoT. filter products, and its manufacturing operations
They’re enabling connections between millions of consist of front-end and back-end processes.
QSI Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives Other
devices in ways never imagined. Our inventions are The front-end processes primarily take place at
helping create a renewed livelihood for many people manufacturing facilities located in Germany and QSI makes strategic investments primarily Other revenues included revenues
and allowing us the honor of enriching lives. Singapore and involve the imprinting of substrate
through our Qualcomm Ventures arm that from non-reportable segments and the
wafers with the structure and circuitry required
for the products to function (also known as wafer are focused on expanding or opening new release of a variable constraint against
fabrication). The back-end processes include the opportunities for our technologies as well revenues not previously allocated to our
assembly, packaging and test of RF front-end as supporting the design and introduction segment results.
modules and RF filter products and their preparation of new products and services (or enhancing
for distribution. The back-end manufacturing existing products or services).
facilities are located in China and Singapore.
*References in this presentation to “Qualcomm” may mean Qualcomm Incorporated, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and/or other subsidiaries or business units within the Qualcomm corporate structure, as applicable. 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, substantially all of our engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business.
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | About Qualcomm 6
Qualcomm for Good
Our priorities include four areas where we believe workplace that advances the development of
we can make the greatest impact and ensure the leading-edge technologies.
long-term success of our business.
STEM Education: We inspire the next generation
Purposeful Innovation: We invent breakthrough of innovators to develop the workforce in
Qualcomm for Good is our commitment to being a that our innovations are helping shape a better technologies that enable life-changing products STEM-based careers.
responsible corporate citizen. It’s about integrating future while also positioning our Company for and experiences.
sustainability into our business and using our sustained commercial success. These corporate responsibility priorities integrate
breakthrough technologies to make the world Responsible Business: We uphold the highest level our key focus areas: Purposeful Innovation, Inclusion
a better place. The world is becoming increasingly connected. of integrity and privacy protection with responsibly and Diversity, Ethics and Governance, Sustainable
We have an unprecedented opportunity to build designed products, respect for human rights and Product Design, Privacy and Security and Public
The success of our business is fundamentally on our legacy of sustainable innovation and use managing environmental impact. Policy and Regulation.
connected to the well-being of our people, the our breakthrough technologies to tackle global
planet and the world. As we push what’s possible challenges, inspire tomorrow’s workforce and Our People: We promote equality to make
and relentlessly ask “What if?”, we work to ensure make a positive difference for decades to come. Qualcomm an inspiring and inclusive
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | About Qualcomm 7
Our Corporate Diversity of our Board of Directors
Responsibility Governance Our Board values insights brought through a broad range of perspectives, including diversity
in professional experience and competencies, and diversity in gender and racial, ethnic
and national backgrounds. Our Board will continue to contribute extensive financial, digital
Everyone is responsible for Corporate Responsibility Our Corporate Responsibility Governance transformation, technology, marketing and international expertise among others, as well
at Qualcomm. We’ve integrated corporate Committee implements directives from the as fresh perspectives, to our boardroom.
responsibility throughout our Company, from Leadership Committee into company-wide
our daily operations to our executive leadership programs, measures progress on our goals and The Governance Committee of the Board is responsible for reviewing the appropriate
and our Board of Directors (the “Board”). reports accomplishments and challenges. This skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of prevailing business
Our governance structure exists to facilitate Committee includes managers and other subject- conditions and the composition of the Board. Diversity with respect to gender, race and
accountability, transparency and the ongoing matter experts from across our Company such
improvement of our programs. as investor relations, supply chain management,
ethnicity, including individuals from underrepresented communities, is one of the criteria
inclusion and diversity, STEM education, considered in the selection of director nominees. Additionally, as part of its efforts to create
The Governance Committee of the Board environmental sustainability, health and safety a diverse Board, the Governance Committee will include, and instruct any search firm it
provides oversight on corporate responsibility and legal, among others. engages to include, women and individuals from underrepresented communities, in the
matters, including ESG topics. Also, the HR
pool of candidates from which the Governance Committee selects director nominees.
and Compensation Committee of the Board
provides guidance to management on policies, Recognizing that Board composition may be affected by departures, including from
programs and initiatives focusing on diversity Board of Directors
and inclusion. Our Corporate Responsibility Governance Committee unexpected circumstances, in 2021, the Board added a new composition target:
Leadership Committee reports at least annually
on the Company’s corporate responsibility and
ESG policies, programs, initiatives and reporting
to the Governance Committee of the Board. Our
Corporate Responsibility Leadership Committee is Corporate Responsibility
composed of executives and senior management Leadership Committee
from across the Company, including human
“The Board aspires to maintain a diverse composition in which,
resources, legal, government affairs, supply generally, at least three of its members are women and at least
chain, ethics and compliance, investor relations,
operations and finance. Our Leadership Committee
Corporate Responsibility
three of its members are from underrepresented communities.”
provides guidance on global corporate responsibility
issues that are most important to Qualcomm and Governance Committee
our key stakeholders so that corporate responsibility
remains a central and visible component of our
business strategy.
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | About Qualcomm 8
Our Approach to Stakeholder Engagement
Conversations with our key stakeholders
are essential to assuring that our corporate Stakeholder How We Engage Examples of Engagement in 2021
responsibility strategy, priorities and efforts
align with the current needs of our business and
meet the expectations of the people, organizations Communities • Corporate citizenship partnerships and programs Launched the COVID-19 Community Relief Fund
and communities that have an interest in our (including • Qualcomm Foundation and philanthropic events, Developed a virtual employee volunteering portal to help employees safely continue
Company. Our primary stakeholder groups are Civil Society including employee volunteering to be active in their communities
our employees, investors, customers, suppliers, and NGOs)
• Corporate website and social media Held a Racial Justice Giving Initiative for NGOs and non-profits across the U.S.
governments and communities where we operate,
including civil society and non-governmental • Participation in conferences and forums Sponsored research in partnership with students and educators and
organizations (NGOs). • Strategic engagement and consultation on promoted invention, IP and patent development through our Qualcomm®
specific issue areas Thinkabit Lab™ program
We are committed to transparency in our Convened a roundtable with local stakeholders on the co-location plan for our
engagements with stakeholders to develop • Neighbor relations officers at our three
manufacturing facilities multi-use space in a local Munich neighborhood
trusted and constructive relationships. We
consistently seek ways to better communicate
Customers • Business unit direct engagement and meetings Hosted Automotive Redefined: Technology Showcase, a digital event showcasing
and obtain feedback on a variety of topics.
• Customer satisfaction surveys the very latest advances and trends in connected car technology
The following chart is meant to provide illustrative, Met with customers to confirm that we are addressing customer needs and challenges
• Participation in conferences, customer product
not exhaustive, examples of our stakeholder
launches and trade shows Reached out via surveys to over 1,250 respondents in companies across 28 countries
engagement practices and topics in 2021.
• Product launch events to gain customer insights and feedback
President and CEO Cristiano Amon gave a powerful keynote speech on 5G’s impact on
society in the coming decade at the 2021 Mobile World Congress
Employees • Employee engagement surveys Sought input, through employee surveys, from every employee at least once during
• Quarterly All Hands Meeting with executives, the year
including a live Q&A session Introduced the Work+Well, Live+Well program to provide practical tools in support of
• Human Resources (HR) Hub portal work from home and work-life balance
• Employee Networks Provided professional development through mentorship programs and educational
training opportunities
• Business Conduct Hotline
Integrated employee perspective in our fourth materiality assessment to guide our
related activities and reporting
Supported the growth of our eight employee networks, promoting the professional
growth of our employees and fostering inclusion and diversity at Qualcomm
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | About Qualcomm 9
Our Approach to Stakeholder Engagement (continued)
In addition to meetings, perception surveys and
Stakeholder How We Engage Examples of Engagement in 2021 other direct and indirect engagement practices,
we have several online channels that provide
opportunities for different stakeholders to provide
Governments • Meetings with elected officials, heads of state Provided expert testimony at a congressional hearing of the U.S. House
us with valuable and ongoing input about our
and Regulators and relevant policy-influencers Communications & Technology Subcommittee on spectrum and 5G adoption
corporate responsibility efforts.
• Leadership in trade associations and Commissioned research from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research on how to
industry groups overcome the gender and racial patenting gap to drive innovation Our corporate responsibility webpage provides
additional information not found in this annual
• Attendance and presentations at forums Organized 5G technical trainings in collaboration with the US Telecommunications
report and allows all external stakeholders to
and conferences Training Institute (USTTI) catering to regulators from Africa and the Middle East
ask direct questions of our team. We respond
• Participation in U.S. government Actively participated in multiple international organizations, such as the to messages on a wide range of issues related
educational hearings International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Economic Forum and to our corporate responsibility strategy
World Semiconductor Council and overall performance. You can reach us
Maintained CEO-level leadership position in the Semiconductor Industry of America at qsr@qualcomm.com.
and The Business Roundtable, among others
We also receive and respond to messages and
Investors and • Annual Stockholder Meetings Conducted individual outreach to our top investors by offering meetings to discuss feedback through our social media channels.
Shareholders our performance, including on ESG issues, with an integrated team composed of Follow @QualcommforGood on:
• One-to-one meetings on specific topics
Chair of the Board, Chair of the HR and Compensation Committee, and a member Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Instagram
• Responding to surveys from ESG research of our management team
and rating agencies
Completed an Investor Perception Audit to better understand investor ESG priorities
• Quarterly earnings conference calls and preferences on how we communicate our progress Stakeholder Engagement Through
Engaged in discussions with several investors specifically on our performance Materiality Assessments
and approach to ESG management We regularly engage expert, third-party firms
to conduct materiality assessments, which
Suppliers • Supply Chain team direct engagement through Held quarterly quality review meetings with primary manufacturing suppliers, covering
identify and prioritize the corporate responsibility
various means (meetings, email, etc.) a range of topics including supplier sustainability
impacts, risks and opportunities we address to
• Surveys Engaged directly with a supplier who had an environmental priority non-conformance help ensure long-term business success. As part
• Webinars, workshops and trainings identified during an RBA VAP audit to discuss the root cause and ensure thorough and of the materiality assessment process, Qualcomm
prompt corrective action systematically engages stakeholders through
• Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) analysis tools interviews and surveys to capture a wide range of
Continued our support of the Qualcomm Taiwan Sustainability Collaboration Project
• RBA Validated Assessment Program (VAP) audits to promote renewable energy development across the semiconductor supply chain perspectives. Recognizing that stakeholder priorities
shift over time, we closely monitor our top issues for
• Supplier Code of Conduct Maintained our Supplier Diversity Program, which promotes participation of small emerging developments and adjust reporting and
• Business Conduct Hotline and diverse businesses when sourcing suppliers, including minority, disadvantaged, programmatic efforts accordingly.
woman-owned, veteran-owned, disabled-owned, businesses situated in a HUBZone,
and all other related socio-economic subsets
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | About Qualcomm 10
Our Goals
2025 Goals
Enrich the lives of 27 million people Ensure 100% of our primary Reduce absolute Scope 1 and
by continuing to bring technology semiconductor manufacturing Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
to underserved communities suppliers are audited every emissions by 30% from our global
around the world through 2 years for conformance to the operations compared to a 2014
Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™. Supplier Code of Conduct. base year.
Continue to inspire the next Increase Representation of Women
generation of inventors by in Leadership* by 15%.
engaging 1.5 million students
Reduce power consumption
and teachers across the globe Increase Underrepresented Minorities
by 10%, every year***, in our
in our strategic STEM initiatives: (URM**) Leadership representation
flagship Snapdragon® Mobile
our home-grown Qualcomm® by 15%.
Platform products.
Thinkabit Lab™, our collaboration
with FIRST®, and our STEM Increase overall URM representation
community partnerships. by 20%.
2030 and 2040 Goals
Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG Reach net-zero global GHG
GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 emissions by 25% by 2030 from a emissions for Scopes 1, 2 and 3
from a 2020 base year. 2020 base year. by 2040.
*Leadership is defined as individuals at the Principal and above level in technical roles, and Director and above in non-technical roles.
**For technical positions, “URM” includes Black, Latinx, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Native American. For non-technical positions, “URM” includes Black, Latinx, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, American Indian or Native American, and Asian.
***Given equivalent features.
Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | About Qualcomm 11
Our Awards and Recognitions
The following are select awards and recognitions that we have received during the last three years (2021-2019).
• 3BL Media 100 Best Corporate Citizens: 2021 • Derwent, Top 100 Global Innovators: 2020, 2019
• Newsweek, America’s Most Responsible Companies: 2022, 2021, 2020 • Athena San Diego, Pinnacle Awards, Individual in Technology: 2020, 2019
• Fortune, Change the World List: 2020, 2019 • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE),
Chairman Award Diversity and Inclusion: 2020, 2019
• Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index: 2021
• CES, Innovation Awards: 2021, 2019
• Disability:In, Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion: 2020, 2019
• TelecomLead, Innovation Leaders Award: 2020
• Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), North America: 2021, 2019
• Thomson Reuters, Top 100 Global Technology Leaders: 2020
• Fast Company, Most Innovative Companies: 2021, 2020, 2019
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Star Award for Diversity: 2020
• Forbes, Global 2000: 2020, 2019
• San Diego Women of Influence Award: 2020
• Forbes, World’s Best Employers: 2020, 2019
In a time when our breakthrough
• Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award: 2020
technologies are the foundation for • Forbes, Top 100 Digital Companies: 2020, 2019
life-changing products, experiences • San Diego Business Journal, Most Influential Women in Finance: 2020
• Forbes, America’s Best Employers: 2020, 2019
and industries, we believe we have a
• GSMA, Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards, Disruptive Device Innovation award: 2020
significant opportunity to positively • Forbes, America’s Best Employers for Diversity: 2021, 2020, 2019
change the world. But how we do this • Mobility 100, 30 Coolest Mobile Hardware Companies: 2019
• Forbes, America’s Best-In-State Employers: 2021
is what truly defines us. Qualcomm
• Forbes, World’s Most Innovative Companies: 2019
has a long-standing reputation for • Glassdoor, Best Places to Work: 2022, 2021
conducting business with unquestioned • GSMA, GLOMO Awards, 5G Leadership Award: 2019
• Investor’s Business Daily, Best ESG Companies: 2021
integrity, being a great place to work,
• Compass, Intelligence Award: 2019
developing solutions for a sustainable • IoT Breakthrough Awards: 2021
world and much more. The awards • Women in Technology Leadership Awards: 2019
• Women Engineer Magazine, Top 50 Employers: 2021, 2020, 2019
and recognitions we obtain reflect our
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE),
steadfast commitment to continue to • Working Mother & Avtar Best Companies for Women in India & Women in Engineering Award: 2019
advance on our path to achieving our Most Inclusive Companies Index: 2020, 2019
2030 Vision. • San Diego Business Journal, CEO of the Year: 2019
• Fortune, World’s Most Admired Companies: 2020, 2019
• LinkedIn, Top Companies Where India Wants to Work Now: 2019
• FierceWireless, Rising Stars in Wireless: 2020, 20192021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Key Accomplishments 12 Key Accomplishments What follows is a summary of the progress we made during fiscal year 2021 on our corporate responsibility priorities, as well as key accomplishments toward achieving our goals.
2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Key Accomplishments: Purposeful Innovation 13
Purposeful Innovation
Inventing technological breakthroughs that are taking on some of
the world’s biggest challenges.
In This Section:
Transforming Connectivity – How Our Technologies Enable
Sustainability Benefits
• Economic Benefits of 5G
• Sustainability Benefits of 5G
We invent foundational technologies that those living in remote areas, to helping improve
Transforming Industries – How Our Technologies are Revolutionizing transform how the world connects, computes global infrastructure so our cities, transportation
Entire Industries and communicates. With a long-standing R&D hubs and factories can work smarter and more
• Smart Transportation focus, $73.1 billion in cumulative research and efficiently – greater connectivity benefits the
• Smart Cities development spend, over 140,000 patents and greater good.
patent applications, and more than 35 years
• Smart Agriculture of innovation in chipsets, software, services
• Smart Healthcare and integrated platform solutions, we create Transforming Connectivity
foundational technologies that revolutionize We believe that 5G is the connectivity fabric that
Transforming Education – How Our Technologies are Making Education the way people connect. will weave everything and everyone together. 5G
More Accessible will generate significant economic growth and
We design platforms, tools and services that help
resilience, drive numerous industry transformations
• Remote Education original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and
and sustainability benefits through digitization, and
• Bridging Divides developers bring those technologies into products
ultimately enrich lives across the globe.
and create experiences that change the way we live
and work. And we do this at scale – empowering 5G’s outsized overall impact is predicated on its
technologically advanced, in-demand end products revolutionary technical capabilities, which include
5G’s full economic effect will likely be realized across the globe in 2035 – across a range of industries – from automotive to three major advances over previous generations of
supporting a wide range of industries and potentially enabling up to $13.1 trillion healthcare, from smart classrooms to smartphones cellular connectivity. The first is enhanced mobile
in global sales activity.1 to smart cities, and everything in between. broadband. It makes our smartphones faster, more
reliable, and enables applications like augmented
These breakthroughs have profound impacts –
reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Next are
from helping bring healthcare directly to the patient
mission-critical services such as automated vehicles
and making education more accessible, even for
Wireless Reach has impacted a cumulative 24 million people, with over 132 projects or remote intensive care units that utilize the
across 49 countries.
1
The 5G Economy in a Post-COVID-19 Era2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Key Accomplishments: Purposeful Innovation 14
improved reliability and low latency of 5G for remote Despite the global economic turmoil caused by enabled intelligent transportation system can lead internet, your Internet of Things (IoT) devices
control of critical infrastructure, vehicles and medical COVID-19, technological innovation is contributing to 15% less traffic and as a result pollution emitted at home, GPS, and other devices. That means
equipment. And, finally, we’re using 5G innovation to a timely economic recovery and we believe will by vehicles.4 a single Snapdragon platform can deliver
to enable massive Internet of Things (mIoT) that continue to drive prosperity in a post pandemic era. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, location, and of course, 5G
seamlessly connects virtually everything from smart 5G is vital to this evolution. Because 5G enabled devices are developed to connectivity – in most cases, all day long.7
home devices to smart cities. Best of all, a defining have a longer battery lifetime compared to previous
capability of 5G is that it is designed for forward According to the landmark 5G Economy study technologies, they contribute to increases in What’s more impressive is that we’ve been able
compatibility – the ability to flexibly support future published by IHS Markit, 5G’s full economic energy efficiency and productivity, which not only to scale throughput speeds and technological
services that are unknown today. effect will likely be realized across the globe in delivers sustainability benefits, but cost benefits advances (i.e., 3G, 4G and now 5G) with minimal
2035 – supporting a wide range of industries and too. In agriculture, 5G sensors equipped with long negative impacts to battery life.
potentially enabling up to $13.1 trillion in global battery life and the ability to connect remote
sales activity.1 locations can monitor many types of equipment At the heart of our latest Snapdragon connectivity
and conditions such as, tank levels, soil moisture solutions is the 5G Modem-RF System. We are in
The study also revealed that the 5G value chain and chemical content. This can then reduce truck our 4th generation 5G Modem-RF technology –
(including OEMs, operators, content creators, app roll expense related to replenishment and can after many years of inventing, standardizing and
developers and consumers) could alone support up optimize schedules for watering and the application refining 5G technology. We have a comprehensive
to 22.8 million jobs. And, because there are many of fertilizer.5 5G Modem-RF System in which baseband, RF
emerging and new applications that will still be transceiver, RF front-end and millimeter wave
defined in the future, only time will tell what the Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in our antenna modules work together to implement
full “5G effect” on the economy is going to be. Snapdragon Mobile Platform – one of the more advanced techniques that not only are designed
widely used in the world. Between Snapdragon to deliver superior cellular speeds and coverage,
Furthermore, mobile technologies at large deliver 850, 855 and 860 generations, we improved but also cutting-edge power-efficiency so your
sustainability benefits. 5G networks are more the modem’s power efficiency by 20% with each battery can last an entire day.
energy efficient per traffic unit than 4G networks, iteration, more than overcoming the jump in power
helping reduce carbon emissions from mobile demanded by the underlying radio technology. The Also inside Snapdragon is the Qualcomm®
networks by 50% over the next 10 years.2 For efficiency and power-savings advances in each FastConnect™ subsystem, supporting Wi-Fi
instance, network architectures with centralized processor functional block add up to considerable and Bluetooth connectivity. With Wi-Fi, we’re
functions (e.g., via open RAN technology) allow potential battery run time savings: embarking on speeds that are unprecedented
locating the network functions at centralized sites and utilizing tri-band technology (Wi-Fi 6 and 6e)
with easier access to renewable energy sources, as • Connectivity – Smartphones powered by to free up network congestion. With the latest
well as better resource multiplexing/pooling. 5G can Snapdragon are always connected6 while Bluetooth 5.2 specification, a Snapdragon device
also help to reduce pollution. For example, a 5G minimizing power consumption. In any given can connect to the many accessories people carry
drone using artificial learning and machine learning smartphone powered by Snapdragon, there with them (smartwatch, earbuds, headphones,
to perform targeted weed eradication can reduce are various Qualcomm Technologies wireless etc.) quickly and provide long-lasting battery life.
pesticide and herbicide usage by 50%.3 And a 5G solutions designed to allow you to access the
1
The 5G Economy in a Post-COVID-19 Era 5
2 reveals vision for a greener, connected future: 5G to play key role in building a greener economy
O
2
The Impact of 5G on the European Economy 6
Requires network connectivity
Croplife International Stewardship Guidance for use of Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAVs) for Application of Crop Protection Products
3 7
Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, and other factors.
4
Alibaba Cloud: ‘City Brain’ Lowers Traffic Congestion Rate by 15% in Sichuan Province2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Key Accomplishments: Purposeful Innovation 15
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) – Qualcomm®
Adreno™ GPU is one of the most power-efficient
Transforming Industries
graphics IPs in the mobile industry. This year, our The need for connectivity in every facet of society
Adreno GPU achieved the biggest year-on-year has never been more pressing than it is right now.
leap in graphics-rendering performance More than just imagining new possibilities, people
with a 35% improvement in performance all over the world are now working beyond the
while focusing on sustainable and usable office, learning beyond the classroom and
performance, and adding new cutting-edge experiencing healthcare beyond the traditional
features. To date, we’ve shipped over 2.5 billion doctor’s office or clinic.
Adreno GPUs and have powered a new breed
of gaming smartphones.
Smart Transportation
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI augments many
smartphone capabilities, operating behind the Designed specifically for transportation, Qualcomm®
scenes to make your experiences natural and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) solutions,
virtually seamless. It recognizes your voice and which include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-
fingerprint to unlock your device. It helps you infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P)
take better pictures and select the best one. and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication,
It helps you to message faster by predicting can complement use of 5G networks and provide
your next words. It translates text and audio short-range connectivity for low-latency, safety-
to different languages in real time for smooth critical and mobility-benefiting applications.
communication. In short, AI has become an Together, these communications technologies can
important feature over the years for smartphones, reshape the transportation sector by decreasing
and the need for additional AI processing that road incidents for safer travel and improving traffic
consumes less energy is growing. efficiency for lower greenhouse gas emissions.
We invested early in AI R&D, and today, our Many within the automotive industry believe that
AI technology enables more than one and a half the widespread use of C-V2X could potentially
billion devices.8 Our system approach allows us to save thousands of lives and prevent hundreds of
zero in on energy efficiency here too, by optimizing thousands of collisions every year by supporting
across AI hardware, software and algorithms to safety applications for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists
help reduce power consumption. Currently, we’re and roadway workers. For example, Red Light
on our 8th generation Qualcomm® AI Engine, Violation Warnings (RLWV) that notify drivers when
which offers the highest TOPS performance on their vehicle is likely to run a red light have been
mobile at ultra-low power consumption. With AI shown to reduce fatalities and injuries on urban
processing demands rapidly increasing, we’re roads by 3.8% and 7.0%, respectively.9
relentlessly rethinking the way AI workloads
can achieve higher performance without Additionally, crashes and other non-recurring
sacrificing power. incidents account for about half the congestion
problem in some parts of the world. Hence, there
is a direct line between safety and sustainability.
8
IDC Mobile Phone Tracker, 1Q2019
9
upport study for impact assessment of cooperative intelligent transport systems
S
Qualcomm Adreno, Qualcomm AI Engine and Qualcomm C-V2X are products of Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Key Accomplishments: Purposeful Innovation 16
Once vehicles are connected to everything around
them, transportation systems may be able to
support new services that could help improve
trip planning, mode choices and traffic efficiency
– enhancements that can lower emissions and
reduce fuel consumption, for example:
• Dynamic route planning for better decision
making in situations where traffic congestion
can be avoided
• Real-time sharing of local data between
infrastructure and vehicles (for instance,
HD maps) to improve traffic flow and parking
for a more efficient journey
• Smart traffic management systems that
use sensor data and modeling to manage
real-world traffic and mitigate congestion
• Sensor data sharing between vehicles
and the infrastructure for more predictable
and coordinated driving while enhancing
road safety
Making cities and regions more sustainable will take
more than just smarter, more efficient transportation
systems, it will also require connected mobility
solutions that support more informed, personalized
travel options. Whether it’s a business operating
freight trucks during off-peak hours or an individual
choosing an alternate route to shorten travel
times, services that come from connected,
digitized transportation systems can inform better Smart Cities management of construction sites, focusing on smart parking, lighting, transportation, logistics,
worker safety. Logistics as-a-Service enables digital, trash cans and edge-AI cameras for security.
choices that can lead to even greater reductions Designed specifically for logistics, construction end-to-end logistical chain management from teams The Qualcomm Smart Campus is equipped with
in emissions and energy usage. In an environment and smart city spaces, Qualcomm® Smart Cities to inventory. intuitive end-user applications and corresponding
where all road users and traffic management Accelerator Program and Qualcomm® IoT Services command and control center that serves as the
systems are connected, every use case that helps to Suite enable ecosystem members to create and To exemplify our Smart Cities IoT as-a-Service, “nerve center” of the campus, providing complete
improve efficiency is an incremental step toward a deploy smart applications in these verticals. Smart we launched the Qualcomm Smart Campus in operational visibility across entire networks of
more sustainable future. Cities and Spaces as-a-Service can deliver solutions San Diego, which exhibits a real-life use case of connected sensors and IoT devices in real-time –
for smart lighting, signage, parking and more for commercially available, end-to-end solutions. viewable from a comprehensive dashboard. These
the accelerated development of smart cities and Replicating a city environment in a campus, the solutions can be reimagined and replicated across
smart spaces. Construction Management as-a- Qualcomm Smart Campus includes a 5G network multiple industries to address challenges and needs
Service prioritizes construction safety and digital and a variety of intelligent capabilities, including for particular spaces and communities.
Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program is a program of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm IoT Services Suite is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Key Accomplishments: Purposeful Innovation 17
The intelligent system uses sensors and other
equipment powered by our technology to monitor,
collect and analyze farm-specific data that farmers
can use to inform their production and quality
control decisions. Cooperative associations and
farmers can access the data through a mobile app.
Having accurate, precise, real-time data about air
temperature, humidity, soil quality and insects at
their farms helps farmers determine the best times
to plant and harvest and how to irrigate and fertilize
more efficiently. The expected results: increased
crop yields, reduced environmental impact and
income growth for farmers and agricultural
cooperatives. As of April 2021, the smart system has
been deployed at a mango farm and red rice field in
two rural counties.
The 5,000 farmers who are projected to participate field management and environmentally friendly
in this program will also be provided with training practices from irrigation to pest management
to improve their skills in e-commerce operations, to which fertilizers to use and recommended
marketing and promotion, brand building and doses. FarmPrecise provides five-day weather
supply chain management. forecasts to help farmers plan, and it responds
to changes in weather conditions with updated
Similarly, farmers in India are using the Wireless weather-based advisories.
Reach funded FarmPrecise mobile app to improve
various aspects of their farming operations, help Among the app’s most popular features are a diary
reduce risks to their crops related to climate change for accurately tracking income and expenses, a
and weather uncertainty and increase their community forum to ask questions and commodity
incomes. Developed by Watershed Organisation prices from various agricultural markets that enable
Trust (WOTR), this mobile app empowers farmers the farmer to decide when to sell their produce to
with personalized information for making decisions obtain the best price. The user-friendly features are
that are appropriate, timely and beneficial for their driving engagement and usage has increased over
Smart Agriculture The agricultural industry is central to China’s poverty
specific farm, crops, business and the environment. two-fold in a year.
elimination efforts and its rural revitalization strategy.
At Qualcomm, we collaborate with NGOs, The objective of the mobile app is to help reduce FarmPrecise is currently deployed in three states
As part of our ongoing support of these strategic
governments and other public and private costs, increase crop yield, mitigate risks from erratic in India — Maharashtra, Telangana and Madhya
initiatives, Wireless Reach is collaborating with the
organizations to demonstrate how mobile weather and promote farming practices for long Pradesh — is available in four languages, provides
China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) on
technology can improve social and economic term environment and livelihood sustainability. advisories for 25 different crops and has been
a smart agriculture program. We’re bringing together
development in underserved regions. We support IoT, mobile internet and cloud computing technology downloaded more than 48,000 times.
smart agriculture programs that showcase the Farmers enter information about their crops, soil
to help traditional agricultural cooperatives compete and sowing dates into FarmPrecise. The app
power of technology to help end hunger, improve in the digital age, which is intended to drive industrial
food security and nutrition, promote sustainability then uses that information to generate advisories
and rural revitalization in four impoverished counties. tailored to each farmer’s crops and farm-specific
and improve livelihoods.
conditions. Advisories provide guidance for good2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Key Accomplishments: Purposeful Innovation 18
for their patients remotely than has ever been and collect high-quality data that can be used to
possible. The use of 5G connectivity to diagnose remotely diagnose refrigeration problems, arrange
and treat people who need care remotely can have for maintenance and verify repairs. The system’s
tremendous impacts on access to health care and base station offers battery life that lasts up to
help narrow the urban-rural divide. seven days, ensuring continuous operation in the
event of a connectivity or power disruption and the
Within the healthcare space, our technology is ability to store data for several months. Training is
also used to provide a reliable solution for the safe provided for cold chain handlers to ensure that they
and timely delivery of vaccines in low- and middle- understand and can use the data and analytics
income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has generated by the system. Currently, data from
shed light on important cold chain management several devices is being used in conversations
requirements for vaccines, previously mostly known around COVID-19 vaccine storage and logistics.
only to the scientific community. Most vaccines
must be continuously stored at cold temperatures
to maintain their potency. Some COVID-19 vaccines Transforming Education
have specific cold chain requirements, starting with
Another important sector that stands to benefit
the temperature of the storage unit at the vaccine
from the promises of the new generation of wireless
manufacturing plant and extending all the way
technologies is education. The COVID-19 pandemic
through transport and delivery, storage, handling
exposed the depth of a digital divide that’s long
at the provider facility and vaccination.
existed in education, put a halt to traditional
Developed through close collaboration between classroom education and accelerated the urgency
Nexleaf Analytics and VVDN Technologies with for equitable solutions.
additional expertise provided by Qualcomm
Many of these digital divide challenges evidenced
engineers, ColdTrace X is an innovative wireless
during the COVID-19 pandemic arise from a lack
solution designed to equip countries to monitor
of reliable access to broadband, especially in
their cold chain systems effectively and protect
underserved or rural communities, resulting in
the potency of life-saving vaccines. It provides a
impacts on students’ abilities to learn, communicate
robust and affordable solution for governments to
Smart Healthcare feature advanced connectivity, low-power compute
have real-time visibility into how their cold chain is
and develop the skills they need for future success.
capabilities, the flexibility to implement a variety of While these challenges are mounting, 5G is
At Qualcomm, we invented the foundational AI use cases, as well as the ability to utilize input performing. A widely cited WHO/UNICEF statement
technologies that makes connected healthcare, designed to directly address the root of the problem,
technology in camera/video applications and voice/ found 55% of cold chain equipment in low- and
in all its forms, possible. To power the exponential and it’s Qualcomm 5G breakthroughs paving the
audio technologies. middle-income countries is poorly performing or
growth of telehealth and telemedicine, Qualcomm way for transformation in education.
non-functional.10 This innovation is particularly
Connected Healthcare collaborates with industry- Our products are integrated in healthcare solutions valuable now to safely distribute COVID-19 vaccines Remote learning rose to the challenge – making
leading healthcare companies to innovate and such as remote patient monitoring and medication and for routine infant immunizations for diseases it possible to deliver quality education to students
develop scalable end-to-end technologies for a monitoring, chronic disease management, prevention like measles, polio and pneumonia. around the world. Through Qualcomm Smart
variety of healthcare services in order to enhance and wellness, aging in place, connected imaging, Cities Accelerator Program, members can provide
virtual interaction across the medical infrastructure. patient re-admission management, at-home ColdTrace X uses temperature sensor nodes,
education as a service which allows school districts
This collaborative approach helps to break medical and tele ICU. Bluetooth and cellular technology to continuously
globally direct access to ecosystem members
down barriers by making it more cost effective monitor temperatures inside vaccine refrigerators
that work to enable smart classrooms and hybrid
for hospitals and care providers to implement a Also, security-rich 5G connectivity can empower and cold rooms, send SMS alerts when
learning settings. We’re working with partners to
connected health solution. Our technology solutions doctors and healthcare providers to do more temperatures move out of the required range
10
WHO/UNICEF Joint Statement on Achieving immunization targets with the comprehensive effective vaccine management (EVM) framework.2021 Qualcomm Corporate Responsibility Report | Key Accomplishments: Purposeful Innovation 19
These ACPCs are equipped with mobile LTE robotics. Currently, students ages 9 to 15 are using
capabilities to enable a continuous connection the ACPCs in a computer lab format. A selected
to the Internet. Pre-installed with a Microsoft number of students are taking the devices home to
Windows 10 operating system, they are ultra-thin work on collaborative coding assignments.
and lightweight while offering fast performance,
powerhouse multimedia capabilities and multi- The program reflects Qualcomm’s priorities as part
day battery life. These features make the devices of the Global Education Coalition. The coalition
extremely portable, enabling students to extend aims to meet the urgent and unprecedented need
learning time outside the classroom and to access for education continuity considering school closures,
vital learning tools anytime and anywhere. caused by the shift to remote learning and the
interruption of teaching and learning brought about
The Dariu Foundation provides professional by the COVID-19 pandemic.
development for teachers and trains them to deliver
in-class lessons that equip students with STEM
skills, including coding, computer science and cyber
offer interactive whiteboards and digital podiums In today’s digital world, where nearly every career
designed for live collaboration, where teachers requires digital literacy, computers are still an
can work with students in the classroom and in a unaffordable luxury for many children across
virtual environment – allowing the students the the globe, particularly in rural areas. In Vietnam,
ability to easily annotate on the same whiteboard Wireless Reach collaborated with The Dariu
regardless of whether they are present in the Foundation to bring educational laptops with
classroom or connecting from their homes. These mobile network connectivity to schools in Vietnam.
types of solutions also allow both students and
teachers to engage in seamless collaboration and More than 900 “Always On, Always Connected
communication. Furthermore, it facilitates greater PCs” (ACPCs) powered by Snapdragon compute
content management opportunities, a better platforms were distributed to teachers and students
digital experience and online training opportunities at 30 schools in rural communities across five
for educators. provinces. For the 2021-22 academic year, over
700 additional ACPCs will be distributed to new
Through our accelerator program members’ schools in rural communities in the northern and
service offering in the education space, we look central highland regions of Vietnam. The program
at accelerating the IoT deployment for schools, has already equipped over 30,000 students with
universities and skills development for smart the foundational digital skills to succeed in online
cities. To address the digital divide in urban areas, and blended learning environments. The program is
cities can implement private 5G networks and IoT also designed to help ensure continuity of learning
technologies to help bring connectivity to all parts whether students are at home or in the classroom.
of the city, while helping support costs through
offering different revenue generating services.You can also read
