Buy-outs boost Intel DSL and chip lines

Intel has beefed up its communications technology capabilities with two acquisitions that give the vendor leverage in the advanced networking arena.

Intel has beefed up its communications technology capabilities with two acquisitions that give the vendor leverage in the advanced networking arena.

Intel bought Ambient Technologies, a Californian developer of chips for DSL and analogue modems for consumer and small businesses, for $150m (£93m).

Intel claimed the deal would allow it to develop a chipset that will deliver both DSL and analogue capabilities in one device.

Mark Christensen, vice-president and general manager of the vendor's Network Communications Group, said: "It is imperative that we offer customers a smooth migration path from their existing analogue modems to a broadband modem. Ambient's integrated DSL and analogue modem will provide an ideal way for customers to take advantage of high-speed Internet access as it becomes available to them."

The chip giant has also bought Thinkit Technologies, an Indian developer specialising in advanced design for chips used in switches and routers, for an undisclosed sum.

According to Christensen, the acquisition would provide Intel with additional resources for advancing the Intel Internet Exchange architecture.

"This move will enable networking companies to build faster, more intelligent networks," he said.

- Database software vendor Sybase said its Linux and Windows-based products will run on Transmeta-powered systems. Transmeta aims to take on Intel, and its developers include Linux creator Linus Torvalds.