Huawei can use ARM chip technology as it doesn’t come under US ban

In a major sigh of relief for Huawei, UK-based ARM, whose designs form basis of nearly every mobile processor we see in market today, has decided to continue supplying chip techlogy to it. ARM h halted “all active contracts, support entitlements, and any pending engments” with Huawei in May in wake of a Trump government directive that all but bans all US companies – or companies dealing with US-origin techlogies - from engaging in tre with Chinese brand.  

As it turns out, ARM can continue to supply Huawei chip techlogy that’s of UK-origin. “ARM’s v8 and v9 are UK-origin techlogies. ARM can provide support to HiSilicon for ARM v8-A architecture, as well as next generation of that architecture, following a comprehensive review of both architectures, which have been determined to be of UK origin,” an ARM spokeswoman was quoted by Reuters. 

To be clear, ARM doesn’t directly make mobile chips. Inste, it provides blueprints that brands like Huawei’s HiSilicon acquire through licensing, and n y manufacture ir own custom chips (like Kirin 980 and Kirin 990) basis of those designs. This means, with ARM techlogy out of picture, a processor like Kirin 980 or Kirin 990 will cease to exist. 

While Kirin 980 and Kirin 990 alrey exist and chances are Huawei may have alrey acquired necessary licensing from ARM to build its next-generation Kirin SoC, future of version(s) after was jeopardized following ARM’s decision to pull out from doing business with it in May. Back in May, it was reported that ARM’s designs contain “US origin techlogy” which is why it “believes it is affected by Trump ministration's ban.”   

Moreover, while  Trump ministration's ban gives a reprieve until vember to Huawei to sort of ease into things (so it could possibly ensure existing devices aren’t affected), all ARM staff was asked to cut all business ties with Huawei immediately (in May). This reportedly included “providing support, delivery techlogy (wher software, code, or or updates), eng in technical discussions, or orwise discuss technical matters with Huawei, HiSilicon or any of or named entities.” 

Also Re:  Huawei In Hot Soup As ARM Cuts Ties Effectively Killing HiSilicon chip: Report