Beijing (PingWest)—The U.S. Commerce Department is expected to extend a reprieve given to Huaweithat permits the Chinese telecom giant to buy supplies from U.S. companies so that it can service existing customers, two sources familiar with the situation said.

The "temporary general license" will be extended for Huawei for 90 days, the sources said.

The Commerce Department initially allowed Huawei to purchase some American-made goods in May shortly after blacklisting the company in a move aimed at minimizing disruption for its customers, many of which operate networks in rural America.

An extension will renew an agreement set to lapse on August 19, continuing the telecom giant's ability to maintain existing telecommunications networks and provide software updates to Huawei handsets.

Source: Reuters