CHIPMAKER Intel is close to signing a deal of estimated value of $1.1 to $1.4 billion to get the wireless communication division with the German firm Infineon. To settle the final details of the deal, in the past few weeks Intel has been meeting with Infineon AG, said by German newspaper Die Welt.
Infineon’s Wireless Solutions division makes just about anything RF based, including mobile phone technology and WiMAX baseband devices. Infineon RFID chips can be found in modern Chinese passports (keeping the masses in check) and can also be seen in the almighty tablet from the capuccino company, the iPad, ironically powering its stunted 3G connection.
This step can be far-reaching, as Intel has seen its own WiMAX technology lose a bit of ground to LTE as the succeeding wireless standard in mobile communications. Now the Intel has both the wireless and fixed technology. On the other hand, Nokia might be throwing its arms up in the air right about now. Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) are a competitor to Infineon, while Nokia itself has been in bed with Intel ever since they decided to merge their mobile Linux initiatives in MeeGo.
