Intel Buys Infineon's Wireless for $1.4 Billion Cash
Intel adds another specialty into its stable.
Intel knows that there's more to the new computing world than just CPUs and chipsets, so it has decided to go full force into wireless technologies through an acquisition of Infineon’s Wireless Solutions (WLS) business in a cash transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion.
WLS will operate as a standalone business serving its existing customers, largely comprised of phone makers (yes, including those using ARM chips). The new addition of WLS to Intel will add to the chipmaker's strategy in smartphones, tablets, netbooks, notebooks and embedded computing devices.
WLS will add to Intel wireless mobility and cellular platforms for smart phones and ultra-low-cost, entry phones. WLS provides baseband processors, radio-frequency transceivers, power management integrated circuits, additional connectivity features, single-chip solutions as well as the corresponding system software.
With annual revenue of Euro 917 million, WLS was approximately 30 percent of Infineon’s total annual revenue of Euro 3.03 billion in the past financial year.
"The global demand for wireless solutions continues to grow at an extraordinary rate," said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. "The acquisition of Infineon's WLS business strengthens the second pillar of our computing strategy -- Internet connectivity -- and enables us to offer a portfolio of products that covers the full range of wireless options from Wi-Fi and 3G to WiMAX and LTE. As more devices compute and connect to the Internet, we are committed to positioning Intel to take advantage of the growth potential in every computing segment, from laptops to handhelds and beyond."
The sale of WLS also helps out Infineon too, as now the company can concentrate more on its energy efficiency, mobility and security solutions.
"The sale of WLS is a strategic decision to enhance Infineon's value. We can now fully concentrate our resources towards strong growth in our core segments Automotive (ATV), Industrial & Multimarket (IMM) and Chip Card & Security (CCS). This creates a great perspective for all Infineon customers, employees and shareholders," said Peter Bauer, CEO of Infineon Technologies AG. "We all stand to benefit enormously from this deal. Thanks to the outstanding effort of the employees and the management during the last years, WLS is excellently positioned to grow further with the new owner who is ideally suited for this business."
The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011, subject to certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.





(Skynet)
(Skynet)
I think it's very clear that they're trying to get into the handset and embedded business. There was a story in Tom's a little while ago (see link below) describing the CPU roadmap. Intel has also invested in handset OS Moblin (now MeeGo), embedded OS when it purchased purchased wind river. Now with Infineon it has expertise in radios and other stuff needed for handsets. The strategy is very clear.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/arm-medfield-menlow-moorestown-atom,11177.html
Expect this to slowly change as they optimise for Intel chips leaving ARM to take a performance hit. It will happen slowly, but it will happen.
a) diverifying into several fields to utilize thier chips. perhaps adding more function to modems as mini severs, maybe including stand alone hardware firewalls and security software with its previous aquisition and using this new aquisition for futher diversification into the wireless and mobile field making full operational units... or
b) total world domination
hoping for a ... if b i hope our new overloards are merciful
`
I'd go with Cyberdyne Systems
all it takes is one smart person to come along to have a great idea to put them all out of business
A stack of Benjamins is 100 bills (10,000 USD), and measures approximately 6" x 2.5" x 0.5". For sake of style and security, we will assume the money is being transported in a Zero Halliburton case (those cool aluminum cases that are featured in movies), which has dimensions of 18" x 13" x 5.25". Packing as efficiently as possible, we can get the bills in stacks of 10, 3 across, and 5 front-to-back. That's 150 stacks, or $1.5M per case. Dividing $1.4B by $1.5M gives us 933.33.
SO... it would take 934 cases (with the last case containing only $500,000) to transport $1.4 billion in cash.