Intel, Ericsson ink deal for Bluetooth-enabled IP technology

Intel, Ericsson ink deal for Bluetooth-enabled IP technology
By Semiconductor Business News
December 5, 2000 (11:51 a.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20001204S0030

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Expanding its efforts in the wireless markets, Intel Corp. here today announced a deal to license Bluetooth-enabled intellectual-property (IP) technology from Sweden's LM Ericsson.

Under the terms, Intel will license Ericsson's chip and software technology for use in the Bluetooth-enabled applications. In addition, Intel will market these products as part of wireless communications and computing solutions.

"Intel is committed to accelerating development of wireless Internet access," said Ron Smith, vice president and general manager of the Wireless Communications and Computing Group at Intel. "This relationship with Ericsson strengthens the building blocks available in support of our Intel Personal Internet Client Architecture."

Last year, Intel announced its first Bluetooth-enabled products--a line of modules designed for use in notebook PCs. The modules, to be sold by Intel, are based on chips from third parties, re portedly including those from Cambridge Design Radio Ltd. of the U.K. and Ericsson.

Intel and Ericsson are major backers of Bluetooth. In addition to Intel and Ericsson, IBM, Nokia, and Toshiba are also the original backers of this short-haul, wireless technology, which is designed to send data over cellular phones, notebook PCs, and other products at speeds up to 1-megabit-per-second.