Qualcomm hit with 997 million euro fine by the EU over Apple mobile chip deals
The European Commission has fined Qualcomm with a record 997 million euros / $1.2 billion fine over abuse of dominant market position which is considered as breaching EU antitrust rules. EU claims that Qualcomm is using its power as a key LTE baseband chipsets by making significant payments to a key customer on condition it would not buy from rivals. EU states that Qualcomm has illegally shut out competition from the market for LTE baseband chipsets for over five years, thus cementing its position and market dominance. Qualcomm is said to have paid billions of dollars to Apple on a condition that it wouldn't buy chipsets from rivals. This made rivals of Qualcomm falls behind the race even if their products are superior. EU in a report states that Qualcomm signed an agreement with Apple in 2011, committing to make significant payments to Apple on condition that the company would exclusively use Qualcomm chipsets in its "iPhone" and "iPad" devices. In 2013, both the companies said to have extended the term of the agreement to the end of 2016. The deal made it clear that Qualcomm ceases the payments should Apple launch products with a chipset from the rival. Furthermore, Apple would have had to return to Qualcomm the ... 
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