Hearing Eric's question, Owen Jacob didn't know how to answer for a while.

Although Qualcomm has been hesitant to license CDMA technology, so far, there is not even a large-scale CDMA equipment manufacturer in the world. In the case of GSM equipment manufacturers blooming all over the world, even Nokia, which has a strong production technology accumulation, has almost collapsed its supply chain by the rapidly expanding market demand, not to mention Qualcomm, which is almost poor in equipment production capacity.

In fact, Qualcomm has its own communication equipment and mobile phone factory, but most of the equipment produced by that factory is only used to meet the testing needs of CDMA technology, Nokia also has its own supply chain to 'collapse', but Qualcomm factory does not even have a complete component supply chain, often only a small amount of component procurement according to demand, this situation can not support large-scale CDMA equipment production. It is conceivable that if the situation continues, even if those large telecom operators are interested in choosing CDMA as their mobile communication technology standard, they will definitely turn to GSM technology again if they do not have enough CDMA communication equipment to build mobile communication networks.

Seeing that Owen Jacob didn't speak, Alan Salmasi, who was sitting next to him, took the initiative to explain with some eagerness: "Eric, the main difficulty in the manufacturing of communication equipment is the design and development of core chips, Qualcomm already has very mature products in this regard, as long as CDMA technology can be promoted, Qualcomm can not only quickly build a factory for equipment production in a short time, but also entrust communication equipment manufacturers to OEM." ”

Eric smiled and nodded. He did not raise any objections, and the main reason for what he said was to elicit Arun Salmasi's remarks at this time.

It is true that technology research and development burns money, but in fact, it is the construction and operation of equipment manufacturing plants that burn more money. The $420 million Nokia received from Firefly and the profits of the last two years were basically invested in the expansion of its factories. Qualcomm's main business after more than ten years is not the production of communication equipment and mobile phones, but mainly focuses on patent licensing and chip research and development, which Eric knows, but at this time to guide Qualcomm on this road is not in the interests of Firefly, because if Qualcomm is not involved in the field of product manufacturing, there is no need for large-scale equity and debt financing, and Firefly will be difficult to obtain a large number of Qualcomm shares by virtue of capital advantages.

Through communication at the dinner table. Both sides have largely determined their intentions.

After lunch, Eric, Chris, and Kelly brought Owen Jacob and Aaron Salmasi to the study, and the two sides were officially open and honest.

Eric handed a copy of the equity document to Owen Jacob and Alan Salmasi. "I have been aware of Qualcomm since last year, and I am very optimistic about CDMA technology, during which Firefly has successively absorbed 2.1 million Qualcomm shares, and we will report to the SEC and Qualcomm Board of Directors in the near future," he said. Here is to show the sincerity of the cooperation of fireflies. So I'll tell you both about this first. ”

Owen Jacob and Aaron Salmasi only symbolically flipped through the papers, then looked at each other, almost simultaneously discerning the disappointment in each other's eyes.

Qualcomm has long realized from the abnormal fluctuations in the company's stock price in the recent period that someone is buying Qualcomm shares in large sums, and the board of directors and management originally thought that someone had obtained the 'inside information' that CDMA technology was about to be determined by large telecom operators as a technical standard, so they would take the opportunity to enter the market and want to make a big profit after the relevant facts were made public. Qualcomm had only issued 30% of its outstanding shares, so the board was not worried about losing control of the company, but rather excited by the speculation. And made some relevant preparations for this.

Unexpectedly, now the mystery is suddenly revealed, and the facts have nothing to do with the original speculation. CDMA has not been 'predetermined' by any telecom operator, and the disappointment of the two can be imagined.

However, after a brief period of disappointment, Owen Jacob and Aaron Salmasi remembers Eric's identity and their mood improves. At the very least, it is not stock speculators who are secretly buying Qualcomm stock, but a billionaire like Eric who is really interested in Qualcomm, and as long as he can spare no effort to use his capital and influence to help promote CDMA technology, Qualcomm has a good chance of getting out of its current predicament.

Of course, although he has been focusing on technology research and development, Owen Jacob will never be naïve to think that Firefly's 2.1 million shares are enough to satisfy Firefly's appetite, which only accounts for 10.5% of Qualcomm's total share capital, he said: "Eric, since Firefly has done so much preparation, I think you must have a detailed plan, right?" ”

Eric nodded and said, "So far, no major telecom operator has been willing to adopt CDMA technology as the technical standard for its mobile communication network, which is the main dilemma faced by Qualcomm. Firefly can make use of its network resources, media channels and capital advantages as much as possible to help Qualcomm promote CDMA technology. However, at the same time, Qualcomm also needs to immediately solve the problem of not being able to mass-produce CDMA equipment on its own, and I don't want to see Firefly spend a lot of effort to get operators to accept CDMA technology, only to move to the GSM camp again because CDMA equipment cannot be supplied in time. Therefore, I suggest that Qualcomm immediately prepare to build communication equipment and mobile phone factories from now on. ”

Compared with Owen Jacob, who concentrates on technology research and development, Alan Salmasi is more focused on the actual management of Qualcomm, and when he heard the first half of Eric's words, he was just a little excited, and he was distressed by the second half of Eric's words, and interjected: "Eric, we haven't considered this aspect, and we have done detailed research, according to the original research results, just build a factory with an annual output of 1 million CDMA mobile phones, and the total investment will be 80 million US dollars, we can't at all, the amount is ......"

Speaking of which. Aaron Salmasi noticed Eric smiling at him, realized something, and stopped talking. Smiled awkwardly.

Eric didn't mind Alan Salmasi interrupting him, and continued with an unchanged smile: "I know that Qualcomm will definitely not be able to come up with the funds to build the equipment factory, but the money can be paid by Fireflies. Frankly, Firefly helps Qualcomm promote CDMA technology, and also hopes to get enough returns, so I hope to be able to inject capital. Increase Firefly's stake in Qualcomm. ”

Owen Jacob had just realized this and asked, "Eric, how much money does Firefly plan to inject into Qualcomm?" ”

Eric said in a relaxed tone, "Just as Aaron just said." A mobile phone factory needs to invest 80 million US dollars, and Qualcomm must also need to build a CDMA base station equipment factory at the same time, which is also 80 million, which is 160 million. The investment in just two factories is certainly not enough. Qualcomm also needs to establish a component procurement and product marketing system, then, this expenditure is counted as 200 million US dollars, according to the current stock price, Qualcomm probably needs to issue 10 million shares to Firefly. ”

Owen Jacob calculated that by issuing an additional 10 million shares, Qualcomm's total share capital would expand to 30 million shares, and Firefly would already hold 2.1 million shares. At that time, the shareholding in Qualcomm will increase to 40%, although it will not achieve a controlling stake. But Firefly will also become the largest shareholder of Qualcomm.

In order to create Qualcomm, Owen Jacob invested almost all his net worth, but after many rounds of financing and IPO in 1992, Owen Jacob's Qualcomm shares have been less than 1%, as long as Qualcomm can continue to survive, Owen Jacob does not care too much about the company's equity changes, he also knows that Firefly does not get enough equity, and will definitely not do his best to help Qualcomm promote CDMA technology, after thinking for a moment, he nodded and said: "Eric, I don't object to your proposal, But when it comes to the issuance of additional shares, this matter will be decided by the board of directors of Qualcomm. ”

AT-T's announcement to join the GSM camp has made Qualcomm lose more than half of the potential North American market, if companies such as Verizon and Sprint also choose GSM next, Qualcomm has only one way to go through bankruptcy liquidation, Firefly bets on Qualcomm at this time to invest $200 million, once it fails, $200 million is equivalent to a waste. Eric believes that Qualcomm's board of directors should understand that Firefly's doing so is equivalent to showing that the entire Firefly system will spare no effort to promote Qualcomm's CDMA technology, and although the final funding plan will be adjusted, the possibility of Qualcomm's board of directors rejecting Firefly's capital injection is very low.

Looking at his watch, Eric said, "Then, Owen, Chris and Kelly will be in charge of the next specific affairs, and I hope to hear good news from Qualcomm as soon as possible." ”

Owen Jacob was about to say something, when he felt his shoe being gently kicked by Aaron Salmasi, and suddenly remembered the plan that the two discussed yesterday, and said, "Eric, Aaron and I have another plan here, I hope you can take a look." ”

Eric nodded, took the document that Owen Jacob had taken out of his briefcase, read it carefully, and passed it to Chris and Kelly beside him in turn.

Owen Jacob and Aaron Salmasi looked at the three opposite them with some trepidation, worried that Eric would directly reject the proposal.

After waiting for a while, Chris and Kelly read the information, then just looked at Eric and didn't make any suggestions. The huge plan involving $4 billion still needs to be decided by Eric himself.

Eric thought about it for a moment and said, "I think this plan is a bit idealistic. ”

Owen Jacob and Aaron Salmasi were relieved when they heard Eric's words, at least, Eric didn't reject the offer on the spot.

Eric didn't know what the two were thinking, and continued: "You must know about the lawsuit on the C-section license, the cause of action is very absurd, but it can still delay the auction of the C-section license for a long time, which shows that the old telecom operators will not allow those small and medium-sized telecom companies to develop at all." Even if we buy all the C licenses, the final leasing users should still be several telecom giants such as AT-T, and perhaps before the C license auction, these mainstream telecom operators have already determined the technical standards, so. This program has little significance for the promotion of CDMA. ”

Owen Jacob and Aaron Salmasi realized that Eric hadn't said anything to death and waited patiently for what to say.

Eric didn't sell it either, and said, "But." This plan can be used as our last move, if the mainstream telecom operators do not choose CDMA technology, Firefly can start this plan, win all the C licenses, and then acquire a telecom operator, build their own CDMA communication network. With that, Eric looked up at the two of them. smiled and said: "Of course, the premise of all this is that our cooperation can be successfully reached." Otherwise, Firefly will not waste money on CDMA technology. ”

Alan Salmasi suppressed his emotions and asked, "Eric, you mean that as long as Qualcomm accepts the Firefly's investment." Are you going to agree to carry out this plan? ”

Eric shook his head. "I just said that this will be the best move for Firefly." If it becomes a major shareholder of Qualcomm, Firefly will first choose to promote CDMA technology to established telecom operators such as Verizon, and will only launch this plan if these mainstream operators do not accept CDMA. ”

Hearing Eric's words, Owen Jacob's heart was far more excited than Alan Salmasi's, CDMA is his brainchild for ten years, no matter what. Owen Jacob wants the CDMA to survive, rather than being silently squeezed to death by technologies such as GSM: "Eric. Can I understand that as long as Firefly becomes a major shareholder of Qualcomm, you will never give up CDMA technology? ”

Eric nodded without hesitation, even if GSM really dominates the world, but the technology will still have a day to upgrade, the previous life of WCDMA, TD-CDMA and other 3G communication technology, after all, it is impossible to bypass the CDMA standard, so even if CDMA is temporarily defeated in this industrial upgrading, it is profitable to win Qualcomm, which has a large number of CDMA patents.

Owen Jacob was still a little uneasy, and said, "Eric, I mean, can Qualcomm get a written endorsement from Firefly about this promise?" ”

"Yes," Eric nodded again.

"So," said Owen Jacob, standing up and holding out his hand to Eric, who was also on the rise, "I'll give you good news as soon as I can." ”

……

Sending off Owen Jacob and the others, it was already evening.

Eric and the others returned to the glass curtain wall in the villa and sat down, looking at the magnificent sunset sea view outside the curtain wall, Chris asked, "Eric, are you really planning to buy all the C-license plates for $4 billion?" ”

Eric took the freshly filled coffee from Kelly and said with a smile: "I said it, this is a last resort plan, rather than buying the C-segment license, I would rather use the $4 billion to take a stake in Verizon or Sprint." ”

Hearing Eric bring up the topic they were talking about before Owen Jacob's arrival this morning, Chris said: "I'm afraid it's not easy to talk about this, because the established telecom operators prefer debt financing to high-cost equity financing. However, both companies have huge funding needs at the moment, so your idea is not impossible, and if you are sure you want to do so, I will start working on it as soon as possible. ”

Eric nodded decisively and said: "Let's talk to them according to the $4 billion capital injection amount, as long as I can get the shares of the two companies, I don't mind suffering some losses in price." ”

Chris smiled and said, "4 billion is too difficult, it's good that they are willing to accept a $2 billion injection from Firefly." ”

$4 billion is equivalent to 40% of Sprint's equity, and even Verizon, which is twice as large as Sprint, can take 20% of Verizon's equity for $4 billion. ”

While chatting, Drew and Emily walked in with a large bag, followed by the twins who were also carrying a bunch of things in their hands, and it was obvious that the two girls should have gone shopping in the afternoon.

Huhula walked over, Emily looked at her boyfriend's surprised look, put down the convenience bag in her hand, and explained: "These are all Drew things, I only bought a few pieces, and they are all in the car." ”

Xiao Nizi immediately dismantled the stage with a smile and said, "Yes, yes, it's just a few, maybe it's a little big, and the back compartment and the back seat of the car are stuffed." ”

After a few teasing words, Chris and Emily were about to get up and say goodbye.

Eric didn't hold them back, and sent them out of the villa, and when the two got into the car, he asked, "When are you going to go back to New York?" ”

Chris didn't answer, just looked at Emily.

Emily explains: "Victoria's Secret has been filming commercials in Los Angeles lately, and Cindy will be attending the Golden Globe Awards, so we'll probably wait until after the Golden Globes. ”

Eric said, "How could the Golden Globes invite only Cindy Crawford? ”

"The Golden Globes were supposed to give the five of them the Best Score award together, but then we also got an invitation from the Oscar committee to get the five of them on stage together, and between the Golden Globes and the Oscars, of course we would choose the latter. Then the Golden Globes retreated to the next best thing and invited only Cindy alone. ”

Emily said, got into the car, and then poked her head out again, and said, "By the way, Eric, if you have time in the past two days, help me see the effect of the Victoria's Secret commercial, and we will do post-production in Firefly Studios." ”

"No problem, I'll probably be over there these days, you can contact me at any time."

Seeing off Chris and the two, Kelly also took the initiative to say goodbye and leave, returning to the villa, Xiao Nizi went into the room to test the results of today's shopping, Eric sat on the sofa by the curtain wall, carefully combing everything for today in his mind.

The sun sank completely below sea level, and the light gradually dimmed.

I don't know how long it took, feeling a tall and slender figure walking quietly, Eric looked up, looked at Natasha's beautiful white face, and motioned for her to turn on the nearby lights.

Natasha quietly walked to the wall and turned on the light, and said softly, "Master, dinner is ready." ”

Eric nodded, just got up, remembered something, and asked, "What about the package that Chris brought me this morning?" ”

Natasha said, "Put it in the bookcase in the living room." ”

"Bring it to the study after dinner."

"Hmm." (To be continued.) )