Qualcomm (QCOM) played with fire one too many times. Whether it was disputes over IP with its largest customer Nokia (NOK) or fights with rival Texas Instruments (TXN).
Today, its ongoing battle with Broadcom (BRCM) took an ugly turn. The U.S. International Trade Commission put a ban on imports of all 3G phones using Qualcomm chips. Broadcom had asked for the ruling. All of the major cell service providers in the US including AT&T (T), Verizon Wireless, and Sprint (S) should feel some impact soon. Qualcomm current model phones being shipped into the country before June 7 will still be allowed to be imported.
The risky behavior at Qualcomm has to be laid at the feet of CEO Paul Jacobs, son of the company’s founder. He has elected to fight every fight and turn away from compromise.
Now that Broadcom has had a success, other competitors are likely to press harder.
Douglas A. McIntyre can be reached at [email protected]. He does not own securities in companies that he writes about.
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