UK chip designer ARM complying with new U.S. rules on Huawei (updated)

SB Technology

22/05/2019 12:29

(Adds details on ARM)
    LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - British-based chip designer ARM
said on Wednesday it was complying with a move by the United
States to block China's Huawei from accessing U.S. technology.
    Huawei  HWT.UL , in common with Apple and chipmakers like
Qualcomm, uses ARM blueprints to design the processors that
power its smartphones. It also licenses graphics technology from
the Cambridge-based company.
    "ARM is complying with all of the latest regulations set
forth by the U.S. government," an ARM spokesman said in a
statement. "No further comment at this time."
    The United States blocked Huawei from buying U.S. goods last
week, jeopardising ties with Google, which provides the Android
operating system and services like Gmail and Google Maps, as
well as hardware partners such as ARM.
    It temporarily eased restrictions on Huawei on Tuesday,
granting it a licence to buy U.S. goods until Aug. 19, meaning
that updates of Google apps can continue until then.
    The BBC reported earlier on Wednesday that ARM, which is
owned by Japan's Softbank, had instructed employees to halt "all
active contracts, support entitlements, and any pending
engagements" with Huawei after the United States added Huawei to
a list of companies with which U.S. firms could not do business.
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL5N22Y2QO
    ARM said in an internal company memo that its designs
contained technology of U.S. origin, the BBC reported.
    It told staff they were no longer allowed to "provide
support, delivery technology (whether software, code, or other
updates), engage in technical discussions, or otherwise discuss
technical matters" with Huawei, according to the memo seen by
the BBC.
    Huawei's international partners are moving to distance
themselves from the Chinese company until there is clarity over
its relationship with U.S. technology partners that provide the
apps and services that are crucial for consumers.   
    Britain's biggest mobile operator EE said on Tuesday it had
dropped a Huawei smartphone from the launch range of its 5G
network next week.  

 (Reporting by Michael Holden and Paul Sandle; Editing by Mark
Potter)
 ((paul.sandle@thomsonreuters.com; +44 20 7542 6843; Reuters
Messaging: paul.sandle.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))