Intel Corp. aims to play in wireless and device markets, introducing digital signage and machine-to-machine solutions. “We are working with some players to validate our chips to tablets and smartphones,” said Carlos Kokron, Intel’s Latin America’s director of carriers business, in an interview with RCR Wireless News.
Intel is looking to get a piece of a huge market that does not stop growing. “Today smartphones sales are greater than PCs. We are interested to become part of this market, that grows at a rate of 30% to 40% a year.”
Earlier this year, during Computex, Intel announced ultrabooks, which is a new category of mobile computers, that would accelerate its Atom processor roadmap to a one-process-generation per year cadence. At that time, Intel’s executive vice-president, Sean Maloney, reiterated that Intel would boost the pace of innovation in system-on-chips (SoCs) based on Intel’s Atom processor technology for netbooks, mobile intelligent devices, tablets and other devices. He also said that by the end of 2012, 40% of the consumer laptop market segment would be made up by these so-called ultrabooks.
Kokron said Intel plans to launch smartphone chips during the first half 2012.
Kokron also believes in an increase of Wi-Fi solutions in order to address 3G offloading, since carriers are focusing on value-added service (VAS) offer to grow data revenues. Traditionally, Intel has played a big role to encourage and disseminate WiMAX use, but that may be changing now. Besides, in Brazil, WiMAX faces a difficult journey. Frequency band auctions haven’t happened yet and LTE bid may happen first. “Intel continues to believe in WiMAX. There are many successful initiatives around the world, however, at the same time, LTE is growing a lot.”
The question, according to Kokron, is how carriers will meet data demand. 3G access is increasing and telecom operators have to be prepared to offer quality and availability. “Either LTE or WiMAX is ideal to support data service quality, because these technologies were born to provide data.”
