Intel to invest in Wi-Fi companies, as new chip nears launch
Intel's venture-capital arm, Intel Capital, has announced plans to invest some $150 million in companies that promote WiFi (or 802.11b) technology, according to this Wall Street Journal story (subscription required). It has already invested $25 million into more than 10 WiFi companies.
Sriram Viswanathan, Intel's director for wireless and broadband investments, said it plans to put money into three principal areas: companies that are helping to add more Wi-Fi-equipped locations or otherwise help improve the wireless infrastructure; companies that attack some fundamental problem associated with the technology, such as improving security or billing technology; and companies that improve the basic capability of the technology, such as to expand the range of Wi-Fi transmission devices. (Broadband refers to the high-speed Internet connections being installed in residences by cable and phone companies.)
One reason for the timing of the fund, Mr. Viswanathan said, is that Intel next year will introduce a chip technology for mobile computing -- code-named Banias -- that offers built-in Wi-Fi technology.