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June 8, 2007

iphone

US commission bans import of some 3G phones

Posted Jun. 8, ’07, 8:22 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | iPhone

QualcommIn a bizarre move yesterday, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) banned the importation of some cell phones containing third-generation chips made by Qualcomm. The ban comes as the result of a decision by the body last year that Qualcomm has been infringing upon the patents of rival chip-maker Broadcom, relating to power-management. Broadcom has asserted that EVDO and WCDMA technologies all rely on this patent.

The ban appears to really only affect models that have not already started to be imported as of yesterday, June 7th. So companies may import more units of 3G phones that have already made it to the US, but no new phones will be allowed until this matter is resolved.

The impact on Apple? None, because the iPhone doesn’t use a 3G chip, instead relying on the 2.5G EDGE technology. Many have complained about the lack of next-generation wireless in Apple’s cell phone offering, but we think they’ll agree that having a phone is preferable.

Qualcomm and Verizon are trying to have the ruling overturned, which must be done by the President within the next 60 days, or that’s all she wrote.


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