Huawei and Qualcomm Sign Broad Multi-Year Patent Licensing Agreement

Huawei and Qualcomm have announced a new multi-year patent licensing agreement covering a broad range of technologies, including 5G, computing, AI and networking.

The agreement includes cross-licensing between the two companies’ patent portfolios, while Qualcomm will also acquire selected Huawei U.S. patents covering computing, AI, networking and other technologies.

The transaction remains subject to the necessary regulatory approvals before it can be completed. Both companies said the agreement reflects their commitment to respecting intellectual property rights and licensing practices based on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) principles.

Huawei said its long-term investment in fundamental research has contributed to advances in mobile communications, particularly in 4G and 5G standards. The company highlighted technologies such as polar coding for signal transmission as part of its contributions to wireless communications.

Qualcomm, meanwhile, said its investment in foundational wireless technologies has supported successive generations of mobile connectivity and contributed to its position in the global wireless industry. The company noted that the agreement reinforces recognition of its 5G technology and its standard-essential patent licensing programme.

The agreement also reflects mutual recognition of each company’s intellectual property contributions. Huawei acknowledged Qualcomm’s role in foundational communication technologies, while Qualcomm recognised Huawei’s continued innovation across 5G and other technology areas.

The partnership comes as technologies such as 5G, AI, computing and networking increasingly converge, making access to intellectual property and cross-licensing arrangements an important part of the technology industry’s broader development.

Once regulatory requirements are completed, the agreement will establish a broader framework for the two companies to license and use relevant technologies across multiple technology fields.