Qualcomm is facing increased pressure in China after the country’s Communications Industry Association (CCIA) reportedly filed a complaint against the US chipmaker for abusing what it alleges is a dominant market position.

State-run CCTV reported that CCIA had complained about Qualcomm overcharging China’s mobile-phone manufacturers on patent fees.

The CCIA says six in ten smartphones in China use chipsets designed by the US firm.

Qualcomm revealed in November it was the subject of an anti-trust investigation in China by the country’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). CEO Paul Jacobs subsequently pleaded ignorance of why the chipset maker was put under investigation.

CCTV, however, adds some detail.

CCIA apparently filed a report with China’s “top economic regulator” in January after visiting two-thirds of its 30 member companies.

“Industry insiders” said that for a CNY1000 ($165) smartphone, five per cent of the sale price goes to Qualcomm.

“Overseas patent owners charge a lot of dollars and the consequence is that the entire Chinese mobile phone industry is reduced to manufacturers,” said CCIA’s Wang Yanhui, quoted by CCTV. “Their profits are taken by global companies.

For its part, Qualcomm says it’s cooperating with NDRC’s investigation.

According to China’s anti-trust law, cited by CCTV, Qualcomm could face a fine of more than $1 billion if is judged to be abusing a dominant market position.

InterDigital, another US wireless tech company, announced on 7 February it was continuing to cooperate with an anti-monopoly law investigation by NDRC.