EU: Qualcomm Proposes no Concessions

US smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm has not offered any concessions so far in its $38-billion bid for NXP Semiconductors, EU antitrust regulators said on Friday, increasing the risk of a lengthy investigation into the deal.

Qualcomm, which supplies chips to Android smartphone makers and Apple, had until June 1 to propose concessions to allay possible competition concerns over the biggest-ever deal in the semiconductor industry.

The EU competition authority’s preliminary review of the deal ends on June 9. It can either clear the deal unconditionally or open an investigation lasting up to four months.

During an investigation, Qualcomm could seek to convince regulators that the deal was not anti-competitive. Failing that, it might have to offer concessions.

Rivals had urged the European Commission to ensure they would still be able to use NXP technology known as Mifare once the deal is done, people familiar with the matter said.

Full Content: Seeking Alpha

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.