Nokia set to use Qualcomm for initial WP devices.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Nokia is set to use Qualcomm chipsets for its first Windows Phone devices, although it appears the decision has been made more by necessity than choice. According to reports, Qualcomm is currently the sole supplier of commercial Windows Phone chipsets, meaning that the Finnish giant will need to use products from this company in its first devices powered by the platform. However, it was also reported that, in the longer term, it is looking to work with alternative suppliers, such as ST-Ericsson, with which it already has commercial partnerships.

For many years, Nokia and Qualcomm’s relationship was largely played out in the courts, until an agreement was reached in 2008 which settled all of their actions – including a complaint made by Nokia to the European Commission. Indeed, in 2009 the pair announced an alliance to develop Symbian OS-based 3G devices targeting the North American market, using Qualcomm processors. 

Under the terms of the 2008 settlement, Nokia made an upfront payment of EUR1.7 billion and assigned ownership of a number of patents to Qualcomm, as well as agreeing to pay ongoing royalties. In 2010, it made advanced payments of EUR1.17 billion to Qualcomm.