The God of Coding, Becoming an IT Conglomerate

62. Grab your mobile communication skills!(2)

After a brief dinner, Erwin and Hoyoung moved to a cafe alone.

Coffman and Viterbi were unable to sit together today as they had to clean up after the technology demonstration and deal with related matters.

“This cafe also sells alcoholic beverages in the evening. Would you like a glass of wine or whiskey instead of coffee?”

Hoyeong skillfully guided Irwin.

Irwin, who had spent most of his life in California, came to New York often, but he did not know him as intimately as Hoyoung did.

“You know New York well, don’t you?”

“I don’t know too well. I only know where they come often.”

Irwin thought that Hoyeong was not just an Asian with a lot of money.

His laid-back demeanor and the way he roamed around downtown Manhattan made him not seem like a mediocre talker.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to drink later. Later in the evening, I want to make a report on the results of today’s technology demonstration.”

“I was lacking in consideration. sorry.”

“no.”

Hoyoung called the waiter and ordered two cups of coffee.

“Then shall we talk about work?”

Irwin nodded with a firm expression.

It reminded me of what Hoyoung had just said at the technology demonstration.

“Are we in a situation where the Telecommunication Industry Association is rejecting our CDMA technology after all?”

“yes. To put it in more detail, the backlash from carriers and mobile phone manufacturers is tremendous.”

“I understood that. If the communication standard is changed again in a situation where it has only been two years since the introduction of TDMA facilities, it will cost astronomical money to replace the facilities again.”

“you’re right.”

“That’s why the Telecommunications Industry Association is trying to drag a little bit of time.”

“Exactly.”

Hoyoung nodded with a slight smile, thinking Irwin had great insight too, but Irwin’s expression was crumpled.

“How many more years is the telecommunications industry association trying to drag?”

“Nobody knows that. I can’t tell you by time, but one thing is certain.”

“What is it?”

“That’s when carriers and cell phone makers made enough money from TDMA.”

“Holly shh.”

Erwin unknowingly let the insult out of his mouth.

“If we narrow the forecast period a little further, it will be at least five years.”

Irwin did not answer for a long time.

Hoyoung did not bother to say anything and waited slowly.

“after···”

Maybe 10 minutes have passed? Irwin sighed heavily and opened his mouth.

“It has already been 5 years since we established the company. The founders of our company were quite famous in their respective fields.”

“I know. There were also people who worked at NASA.”

“Did you know?”

“sure. I didn’t come today just to poke. Not because of CDMA.”

Irwin made a puzzled expression at Hoyeong’s words.

“I decided to invest after seeing the researchers at Qualcomm and thoroughly investigated them. CDMA? Of course, this also influenced my choice. It is the world’s best mobile communication technology. However, I believe that this will never be the end and I am trying to invest in the long term. I believe that only Qualcomm can eventually create a communication technology that surpasses CDMA.”

Irwin was slightly moved by Hoyoung’s words.

The evaluations he has received so far have been quite harsh.

‘I like the idea, but there’s no real possibility.’

‘The idea of being ahead of the generation doesn’t work in reality.’

It was the evaluation of people in the industry who always followed when talking about Erwin and Qualcomm.

However, what Hoyoung said was a habit that key figures in Qualcomm usually say.

‘If we dream, that dream will become a reality someday.’

‘We are the only ones who can surpass us!’

Irwin thought that if Hoyeong was sincere, he could have the same dream.

“Actually, if this doesn’t go well, there was a place that decided to invest in us.”

“Is that so? Where is this place?”

“It’s AT&T.”

Hoyeong was a little surprised by Irwin’s words.

It was the first time in my life that AT&T had made an investment offer to Qualcomm.

“Instead of investing in us, AT&T suggested that we stop developing CDMA technology and create a way to improve TDMA and upgrade its performance.”

“Aha. Is that why you declined?”

“That’s right. We have no desire to study TDMA, which has clear limits, over CDMA, which is a more advanced technology that has been completed.”

Hoyoung nodded her head.

“I think Qualcomm’s dream is in the right direction. That’s why I wanted to invest.”

“But even if you get an investment, that doesn’t seem like a good thing.”

“Why is that?”

“Even if the company survives with investment, wouldn’t there be an opportunity to showcase this technology for 5 years anyway? And even after five years, I can’t guarantee that it will be for sure.”

Irwin’s voice darkened.

Despite having the world’s best technology, the melancholy of being unable to show it to the world due to the logic of capitalism has been passed on to Ho-young.

But when Hoyeong saw Irwin like that, he smiled brightly.

“Irwin. Then, would you like to sign the first contract with me at this point?”

“What contract is it?”

“I will teach you a way for Qualcomm to survive. If you think that way is feasible, you should accept my investment.”

Irwin nodded after a moment of thought.

“Because I decided to receive the investment anyway. I do. Is the investment form a loan form? Or is it in the form of an equity acquisition?”

“Of course it is the latter.”

“As expected. Then, should we discuss the investment amount and acquisition ratio after hearing the story?”

“All right.”

Hoyeong took out a contract from her bag.

The contract contained what Hoyeong had just said.

Irwin secretly admired Hoyeong’s readiness and signed the contract.

“How the hell can we survive?”

Hoyoung said with a deep smile.

“Irwin. Is America the whole world?”

“yes?”

At Hoyeong’s words, Irwin put on an expression that he didn’t understand.

“It is the ‘American’ telecommunications industry association that rejects Qualcomm’s technology. If you look outside the United States, there are many countries.”

“Are you saying that CDMA should be applied to the overseas mobile communication market?”

“That’s right.”

“But I think it would be more difficult.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because there is a lack of mobile phone infrastructure in countries other than the United States…”

“Wait.”

Hoyoung interrupted Irwin.

“You spoke well a moment ago. Infrastructure is lacking. That’s the point. Why do you think the lack of infrastructure is a problem? Think about it. What did I say earlier that the Telecommunications Industry Association did not accept Irwin’s technology?”

“It already has a TDMA facility… ah!”

Irwin, as he was speaking, must have realized something and involuntarily banged his palm on the table.

“The reason why our CDMA is not applied right now is because of that infrastructure!”

“Now you know.”

Hoyoung smiled at Irwin and said.

“The United States already has TDMA applied, so leave it as it is. And Qualcomm just needs to find new ground. Now, we can target countries that want to build a mobile communication infrastructure.”

Irwin’s face had already returned to life.

“I will be in charge of finding and negotiating countries that will accept CDMA. Wouldn’t Qualcomm continue to work on technological development and take on a practical role when actually building a mobile communication network?”

“good. In fact, the most difficult thing about the story right now is how to find the country we need. Thank you for solving it.”

“Perhaps the first target will be my home country.”

“It’s not my motherland. Are you not American?”

“haha. no. I’m Korean.”

Irwin put on a puzzled expression.

“korea? Ah, the country that hosted the Olympics a few years ago. next to Japan.”

“you’re right.”

“I thought I was a Korean. Aha! As a Korean, you must be more knowledgeable about the situation in Korea.”

Hoyoung nodded with a smile on her face.

“Do you like my solution?”

“I don’t like it or not. It’s the best way.”

“I am glad you think so. And this method has one more great strength.”

“What is?”

“We can further accelerate the introduction of CDMA in the United States. What is the strongest argument between the American Telecommunications Industry Association and Motorola right now? It’s just that CDMA isn’t practical. So, they continue to demand technology demonstrations and clinical trials, and even if good results are obtained, they demand retests saying that accurate results cannot be known in such a controlled situation.”

Irwin seemed to realize something again.

“ah! If it has already been successfully implemented abroad, then that country is nothing short of a gigantic technology demonstration site.”

“you’re right. You cannot reject a technology that is well used by dozens or even millions of users in other countries just because it has not been verified.”

“Then CDMA should work perfectly according to our theory.”

“You are right. That is the most important thing.”

Irwin’s face hardened a little, as if it was a little burdensome.

“But I’m not worried at all. It will definitely be implemented successfully.”

“You really believe in us. Thank you very much.”

Irwin grabbed Hoyeong’s hand and said.

It was a look of great emotion.

Hoyoung said while gently pulling out his hand.

“ruler. Then it’s time to talk numbers.”

“okay.”

While Hoyoung showed a relaxed attitude, Irwin was extremely nervous.

“Then, shall we discuss the desired stake first, and then the price?”

“I see.”

“Then first my wishes, but I want everything from Qualcomm. 100% stake. The amount is 100 million dollars.”

Irwin, who did not expect Ho-yeong to come out so strong from the beginning, was taken aback.

“Coke! Coke!”

“Are you okay?”

“yes. it’s okay. I was just surprised because I didn’t know how to say that from the beginning.”

“How are you? my suggestion?”

Irwin looked at Hoyoung with a puzzled look.

Hoyoung, who said 100 million dollars so easily, looked different.

“100 million dollars… that’s an amount I never thought of. That’s literally an astronomical amount. However, I’m sorry, but I cannot accept that offer.”

“Is that so? Then, how much stake do you think?”

“I’m really embarrassed to say this, but I’ve never considered more than 20 percent.”

Irwin’s eyes were steady.

Hoyoung thought that confidence would come from CDMA technology.

‘Well, I don’t want to hand over everything when I’ve already developed the perfect technology.’

Hoyoung looked Erwin straight in the eyes and said.

“60%. I hadn’t even considered such a small stake.”

When Hoyoung spoke firmly, Irwin was clearly embarrassed.

“Then 40%. How are you?”

“40%? Are you serious? Hmm… Then I gave in a lot. just half. Let’s do it at 50%. I started at 100% and cut it in half.”

After thinking for a while, Irwin shook his head with difficulty.

“49%. We can never give up more than that.”

“haha. That’s a 1% difference. Does Irwin look like someone who would threaten my management?”

“It’s not like that, but as a minimum safety device…”

Just then, Hoyoung jumped up from her seat.

“All right. The difference between what we think is so big that it shouldn’t be. Let’s pretend there was no story.”

“yes?”

“I saw the potential of Qualcomm, which is currently in crisis, and came to invest. In addition, he even suggested a way to survive in the future. But aren’t you trying to be too greedy?”

At Hoyoung’s words, Irwin couldn’t speak like a mute who had eaten honey.

“This is the address and phone number of the hotel where I am staying. If you ever change your mind, please visit us here or contact us. And think carefully about the current situation.”

“You mean my situation?”

“Currently, Motorola and the Telecommunications Association are not the only ones opposing the introduction of CDMA. Is there anyone who wants to invest in Qualcomm, pretending to be with all the mobile phone manufacturers and carriers in the US? I don’t know.”

“ah···!”

“Then, I’ll go back now. Please contact me. It’s only for one week. After that, when I go back to Korea, we’ll never see each other again.”

Hoyoung left a cold word and turned around and left the cafe.

Irwin just stared at Hoyeong’s back in dismay.