Broadcom Pledges $1.5 Billion Fund to Salvage Qualcomm Deal

(Bloomberg) -- Broadcom Ltd. said it plans to create a new $1.5 billion fund to ensure America's lead in future wireless technology, responding to U.S. government concerns that the chipmaker's proposed takeover of Qualcomm Inc. could hurt its competitiveness and threaten national security.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., led by the Treasury, is investigating the $117 billion offer by Broadcom on national seucurity grounds, an unusual move that threatens to derail what would be the biggest deal in the history of technology.

In a letter explaining the grounds for investigation, Treasury cited Qualcomm's “unmatched expertise and research and development expenditure,” which drives its ability to set standards for the next generation of wireless technology known as 5G. Treasury noted that a Broadcom takeover would possibly reduce long-term investment to focus on short-term profitability.

In a statement Wednesday, Broadcom said, “with its proven track record of investing in and growing core franchises, Broadcom is committed to making the U.S. the global leader in 5G.”

The new fund Broadcom is proposing would focus on innovation to train and educate the next generation of engineers in the U.S., ensuring America's lead in future wireless technology, it said.

Broadcom also took a swipe at Qualcomm's licensing business, which is a subject of dispute between the companies.

“Broadcom will fund enhanced R&D through lawful business practices rather than predatory and anticompetitive behavior,” the statement said. “There is no truth to Qualcomm's argument that its anticompetitive licensing practices are needed to fund a robust R&D effort.”

Singapore-based Broadcom also reiterated that it plans to shift its headquarters to the U.S. no later than May 6, a move it has argued should not make it subject to a review on national security concerns. If it achieves its goal of acquiring Qualcomm, Broadcom said it expects to have more than 25,000 employees in the U.S.

To contact the reporter on this story: Molly Schuetz in New York at mschuetz9@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jillian Ward at jward56@bloomberg.net, Robin Ajello

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