Huawei and Qualcomm have entered into a multi-year, broad patent license agreement that includes cross licenses to the companies' patent portfolios across a range of technology fields, including 5G, compute, AI, and networking. The agreement also includes Qualcomm's purchase of certain Huawei U.S. patents in the areas of compute, AI, networking, and other technologies. This transaction will close following receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals.
The agreement reflects the companies' shared commitment to intellectual property rights and to licensing practices consistent with fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) principles. According to Alan Fan, Huawei's Chief Intellectual Property Officer, Huawei's decades of sustained investment in fundamental R&D have driven innovation and progress in mobile communications and other technology fields.
Huawei's broad contributions to the 4G/5G standards, such as the near-physical-limit signal transmission technology using polar codes, have established Huawei's leadership in the mobile communications industry, and continuously transformed the way people communicate and live. The agreement not only demonstrates the value of Huawei's innovations but also recognizes Qualcomm's foundational contributions to modern communication technologies.
Qualcomm has invested in foundational wireless technologies that have enabled successive generations of mobile innovation and earned broad recognition across the global wireless industry. According to John Han, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Qualcomm Technology Licensing, this agreement reaffirms industry recognition of Qualcomm's 5G technology leadership and the success of Qualcomm's 5G SEP licensing program.
The agreement likewise reflects Qualcomm's recognition of Huawei's continued innovation and intellectual property in 5G and other technology fields. This agreement is a significant development in the technology industry, highlighting the importance of intellectual property rights and licensing practices that promote innovation and progress.
The announcement was made on October 5, 2026, and the companies have expressed their commitment to working together to promote innovation and progress in the technology industry. The agreement is expected to have a positive impact on the industry, promoting fair and reasonable licensing practices.
The deal between Huawei and Qualcomm is a notable example of technology companies coming together to advance innovation and progress in the industry. The agreement demonstrates the value of intellectual property rights and licensing practices that promote collaboration and innovation.
Key points
- Huawei and Qualcomm have entered into a multi-year, broad patent license agreement that includes cross licenses to the companies' patent portfolios across a range of technology fields.
- The agreement reflects the companies' shared commitment to intellectual property rights and to licensing practices consistent with fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) principles.
- The deal promotes innovation and progress in the technology industry, highlighting the importance of intellectual property rights and licensing practices.
