Telecompaper

US chipset maker Qualcomm has raised its Q3 financial guidance boosted by increased demand for high-end chipsets. Revenues are now estimated to be USD 2.67 to USD 2.77 billion compared to the prior guidance range of USD 2.40 to USD 2.60 billion, while operating income is now estimated to be USD 1.06 to USD 1.11 billion pro forma, compared to the prior guidance range of USD 800 to USD 900 million; and estimated to be USD 830 to USD 880 million in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), compared to the prior guidance range of USD 550 to USD 650 million. CDMA-based mobile Station Modem (MSM) shipments are now estimated to be 94 to 95 million units compared to the prior guidance range of 87 to 92 million units, while March quarter CDMA-based device shipments are estimated to be 109 to 111 million CDMA units (CDMA2000 and WCDMA), compared to the prior guidance range of 107 to 112 million units. Qualcomm's CDMA unit average selling price is now estimated to be approximately USD 191, compared to the prior estimate of approximately USD 196. Qualcomm raised its guidance figures as a reflection of "stronger than expected demand" for more data-capable chipsets and increased licensing revenues driven in part by advanced 3G network upgrades, although the chipset maker remains cautious due to the global economic climate and projects "a modest sequential decrease in chipset shipments."