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Qualcomm may once again sell 4G phone chips to Huawei.
Qualcomm received a license on November 13 to sell “a number of products, including some 4G products,” to Huawei, a spokeswoman told Reuters, but Qualcomm declined to provide further details. It doesn’t cover 5G chips, Reuters says, meaning its overall impact could be toned down.
The move means Qualcomm is no longer subject to an order from the US Department of Commerce that prohibits chipmakers from supplying Huawei with semiconductors or chip designs built with US software or technology. Commerce announced the restrictions. to Huawei in May 2019, citing national security concerns, and then expanded its scope earlier this year.
Before the trade ban, Huawei relied heavily on in-house Kirin chips for its flagship range of phones and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors for its cheaper models. But despite a great second quarter, Huawei struggled without access to American-made components. Huawei said this summer that it was running out of processors due to US sanctions, AP reported, and would be forced to halt production of Kirin.
Qualcomm isn’t the only manufacturer allowed to sell to Huawei at this time. According to Reuters, Intel currently has a license to sell to Huawei, and other firms such as Micron Technology have requested permission to do so as well.
