Apple and Qualcomm did not comment on the development. The deal with Qualcomm would put Apple on a faster path to 5G for iPhones. “The settlement includes a payment from Apple to Qualcomm. The companies also have reached a six-year license agreement, effective as of April 1, 2019, including a two-year option to extend, and a multi-year chipset supply agreement,” said the Cupertino-based iPhone maker. The Apple-Qualcomm agreement was reached as chip-maker Intel decided to exit the 5G smartphone modem business and complete an assessment of the opportunities for 4G and 5G modems in PCs, Internet of Things devices and other data-centric devices. “It’s likely Intel’s decision prompted Apple and Qualcomm’s decision to settle – which came as quite a surprise since it happened just as lawyers were presenting opening arguments at the latest courtroom trial,” The Verge reported. Apple and Qualcomm have been fighting over patent licensing practices for the last two years.
