Huawei and smart metering solutions provider EDMI today announced a patent licence agreement under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) conditions.
Under the agreement, Huawei will grant a cellular Internet of Things (IoT) Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) licence, including NB-IoT, LTE-M and LTE Cat. 1 to EDMI. This will enable EDMI to secure its own business and provide comprehensive legal protection to its customers.
“Forging a licencing arrangement with Huawei is a significant milestone for EDMI," says Roy Kirsopp, group CEO at EDMI.
"This underscores EDMI’s commitment to our global customers in delivering enhanced, reliable and quality products and solutions. We look forward to leveraging this partnership to continue to provide innovative smart metering products and solutions that benefit our customers globally," he adds.
Singapore-based and listed EDMI was acquired by Japan's Osaki Group in 2011 and privatised. From its Singapore base, EDMI has built up a global network of overseas subsidiaries from Australia to China to the UK.
Huawei, which spends on around 10% of its annual sales on R&D, introduced its cellular IoT patent licencing programme and announced its royalty rates based on transparency and consistency in July 2023.
See also: Younger consumers in Singapore more receptive towards AI agents
David Wang, head of Huawei's Asia Pacific Intellectual Property Department, comments: “Huawei is pleased to reach this licence agreement with EDMI, which will greatly promote innovations in traditional industries such as utilities.
"Huawei is dedicated to sharing cutting-edge innovations through FRAND SEP licencing practices. Huawei commends licensee’s support of our R&D activities, which will facilitate our continuous introduction of better standards,” says Wang.
