Broadcom has offered EU investigators to end its exclusivity agreements with set-top and modem manufacturers in a bid to bring an anti-trust investigation to conclusion.
Opening the investigation in June last year Margrethe Vestager, Commissioner in charge of competition policy had expressed concerns the chipmaker had put in place contractual restrictions to exclude its competitors from the market.
It could have led to the EU’s first interim order in two decades – and a warning to tech companies that such orders might become a regular occurance.
Broadcom has now promised tow withdraw incentives from companies who take more than 50% of their inventory from the firm.
In a statement Broadcom said: “In these uncertain times, we welcome the opportunity to avoid protracted litigation and to resolve the investigation without recognition of liability or the imposition of a fine.”
Should the EU accept the offer it will remain in place for 5 years.
