Intel buys wireless chip maker Mobilian

Intel buys wireless chip maker Mobilian
LONDON -- Intel Corp. has acquired wireless LAN chip maker Mobilian Corp., (Hillsboro, Oregon) for an undisclosed sum, a deal the chip maker says strengthens its strategy to offer a variety of chips for phones and other devices.

The 70-person start up is the latest acquisition made by Intel in the communications area, several of which have been in the wireless sector.

The deal has not been officially announced but Intel confirmed the companies have signed a memorandum of understanding October 31st. However, it would not say how it intended to use Mobilian's products and technology.

Mobilian has raised about $70 million since it was founded in 1999. It started sampling last year a two-piece chip set dubbed TrueRadio that supports the simultaneous operation of 802.11b wireless-LAN and Bluetooth radios.

The device will enable the manufacture of a PC Card featuring the two wireless technologies with a bill of materials under $35, the company said.

In addition to the stakes it has taken in various companies developing or deploying wireless technologies, Intel itself has made a major push in wireless. The company's Centrino processor platform has made huge strides in the notebook PC market, but the chip only supports the 802.11b WLAN standard. Intel is working on chips that support 802.11a and g.

At its peak, Mobilian employed over 120 people at three locations, Hillsboro, San Diego California and Yokneam, Israel.