Exclusive: Qualcomm Nears $1 Billion Deal Resolving China Antitrust Dispute

[Ron Burgundy]

By Matthew Miller and Michael Martina BEIJING (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc is likely to pay China a record fine of around $1 billion, ending a 14-month government investigation into anti-competitive practices, after the U.S. chipmaker and the regulator made significant progress during talks last week. The deal, which may also see Qualcomm lower its royalty rates by around a third on patents used in China, could be announced as soon as Monday, a source said. Discussions in Beijing over one of the most contentious cases under China's 2008 anti-monopoly law have intensified in recent weeks, culminating in meetings between Qualcomm senior executives and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) officials on Friday. Qualcomm's fine would be the largest paid by any company in China.

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