Huawei agrees to a multi-year patent licensing deal with Qualcomm covering AI, 5G, computing, and networking tech, its first 5G licensing deal with Qualcomm (Miyoung Kim/Reuters)

Huawei and Qualcomm have signed a multi-year patent licensing deal worth over $1.8 billion, according to Reuters. The agreement is seen as the first of its kind to cover 5G technologies. As part of the deal, Qualcomm has acquired several of Huawei's US patents in AI and networking. The value of the licensing agreement is expected to reach more than $6.9 billion once all regulatory approvals are obtained.

Huawei's chief intellectual property officer, Alan Fan, emphasized the recognition of Huawei's innovations and Qualcomm's contributions to modern communication technologies. Huawei has been investing in fundamental R&D for decades, leading to advancements in 4G/5G standards and polar code technology. The new licensing deal follows a resolution of their long-standing patent infringement dispute in 2020, where Huawei agreed to pay Qualcomm $1.8 billion for IP payments since 2017.

Qualcomm's executive vice-president and general manager, John Han, acknowledged Huawei's continued innovation and IP in 5G and other technology fields. This agreement reflects Qualcomm's appreciation for Huawei's ongoing contributions to the mobile communications industry.