Intel regroups its communications businesses

By Alun Williams

Posted on 11 Dec 2003 at 10:40

Intel is regrouping its communications-related businesses into a single organisation - the Intel Communications Group (ICG). Previously its work in networking and handheld-focused areas had been divided between ICG and the Wireless Communications and Computing Group (WCCG).

'We continue to drive the convergence of computing and communications through our product lineup, and with this we see wireless local area networking and wide area cellular technologies coming together,' said Intel CEO Craig Barrett. 'Consolidation gives us better product planning and customer focus in these strategically critical areas going forward.'

The announcement of the streamlining comes in the wake of Intel taking a $600 million hit on its Wireless Group
While growth has not been as bullish as the company expected, it has long been committed to the idea of wireless-based convergence of computing - that every processing device will eventually have a communications chip inside it (see IDF Fall 2003: Intel backs the renaissance of radio).