Intel merges its wireless activities in one unit
Aims to streamline development to increase its agility against the ARM community, as it brings Medfield to market
Published: 16 December, 2011
READ MORE: People/Management | Intel | Semiconductor
The old Wintel alliance is reorganizing as its members frantically chase mobile success. Microsoft appointed a new mobile chief earlier this week, now Intel has unified its various communications activities in a single unit, designed to accelerate progress and streamline development.
The new Mobile and Communications Group (MCG) will focus on chips for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. However, as at Microsoft, there will still be blurred boundaries, especially once Windows 8 arrives. This will span x86 and ARM architectures and some Intel products, notably its Ultrabook design, will increasingly fall between two camps too, with the risk of internal political rivalries and marketing confusion.
For now, the creation of MCG "is a strategic move designed to provide clear differentiation for Intel-based mobile devices and to speed and improve development of mobile devices and components," said a company spokesperson. The unit brings together four existing entities - Intel Mobile Communications (basebands, built around the acquisition of Infineon Wireless); Mobile Wireless Group (wireless LAN); Netbook and Tablet Group; and the Ultra Mobility Group (smartphones and other low power devices).
This is the second major reshuffle this year in the mobile business, where Intel is still struggling to get its low power Atom architecture to compete effectively with ARM-based rivals. In March, Intel announced the resignation of Anand Chandrasekher, general manager of the Ultra Mobility Group, the central unit in the push to succeed in smartphones and tablets.
The MCG has the remit of creating a "compelling user experience by providing optimal hardware, software, and connectivity ingredients as well as complete solutions such as form factor reference designs," Intel said in its statement. It will be headed by Hermann Eul and Mike Bell. The former came to Intel with Infineon Wireless and runs the Mobile Communications unit, while the latter was appointed to co-manage the Ultra Mobility Group after Chandrasekher's exit and is a former Apple employee who was involved in iPhone development.
Smartphones using Intel's new Medfield mobile chip are expected in early 2012.
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