\tRumours Apple is in talks to acquire Intel\u2019s ailing smartphone modem chip business resurfaced, with discussions over a $1 billion deal said to be at an advanced stage.<\/p>\n
According The Wall Street Journal, a formal agreement could be reached as soon as next week. The lofty $1 billion sum covers the business itself, patents and staff.<\/p>\n
For Apple the move marks an escalation of efforts to produce a greater number of components in-house, while Intel would dispose of a unit which has had its future hanging in the balance for some time.<\/p>\n
In April, the chip company dropped plans [1] to develop 5G smartphone modems after concluding it would be unable to make money from them.<\/p>\n
Intel’s decision was made in the wake of Apple settling a long-running dispute and signing a six year supply deal with Qualcomm, effectively killing-off Intel\u2019s prospects of becoming Apple\u2019s primary supplier of the modem chips.<\/p>\n
Prior to abandonment of the project, the lead developer behind Intel’s 5G modem business left to join Apple\u2019s in-house architecture team.<\/p>\n
Last month [2]\u00a0Intel said it was \u201cassessing strategic options\u201d for its wireless 5G business and had received a number of expressions of interest. At the time media named Apple as a leading contender.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/devices\/news-devices\/intel-drops-out-of-5g-phone-race\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/apple-kicks-tyres-of-intel-5g-modem-unit\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rumours Apple is in talks to acquire Intel’s ailing smartphone modem chip business resurfaced, with …<\/p>\n
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