Deep FTC probe of Qualcomm auto-chip deal reportedly on deck for Wednesday
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Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) is reportedly headed for an in-depth investigation of its planned purchase of Autotalks, the Israeli chipmaker focused on automotive safety.
The Federal Trade Commission has weighted a more advanced probe and it's set to open that investigation on Wednesday, Politico reported.
The Autotalks deal is intended to shore up Qualcomm's business focused on "V2X," or vehicle-to-everything communications, providing for vehicles to talk with their surroundings.
Such a probe would follow the announcement of an in-depth review of the deal at the European Commission, which is concerned about combining two key suppliers of V2X chips to Europe.
While Qualcomm and Autotalks had highlighted support from automakers and parts makers in announcing the deal, it's faced anonymous complainants -- one of which is MediaTek, according to the report.
And though the FTC has faced legal setbacks with its investigations over the past year, a lengthy probe could set Qualcomm's deal back by months or even longer.

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