Intel to Sell Fast Modems, Wireless Home-Networking Equipment
1/5/00 6:40:00 PM
Source: Bloomberg News
Las Vegas, Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Intel Corp., the world's biggest maker of computer chips, said it will
ship a line of DSL modems in February as part of its effort to become a bigger player in the
communications-equipment market.
Intel will sell the new digital subscriber line modems to telephone companies and Internet service
providers, who will in turn sell them to their customers for about $295.
DSL technology lets users get access to Internet sites at speeds 150
times faster than regular modems, using the same phone lines. Intel is
betting that making the modems and the chips that control them will
be lucrative business as the market starts to slow for its main product
-- computer microprocessors.
The DSL move is part of Intel's ''continued push beyond desktop
computing,'' said company spokesman Tom Beermann.
DSL modems are one of many communications products that Intel is
pursuing. Also today, the company said it is making a wireless version
of its AnyPoint home-networking equipment that will be available in late
March or early April.
AnyPoint lets home computer users link their computers through
phone jacks in the house, so that a group of computers can use the
same Internet connection or share video games. The wireless version
will do away with the phone-jack connections.
Apple Computer Corp., one of the few computer companies that doesn't use Intel chips in its
machines, is ahead of Intel on wireless home networking. Apple has a product called AirPort that
connects computers wirelessly and sells for $299.
The price of Intel's product hasn't been determined.
Intel has been shipping DSL modems for a few months, said Beerman, but those were based on
technology licensed from networking company Cisco Systems Inc. The new modems were designed
by Intel and will carry the Intel brand.
Santa Clara, California-based Intel is formally unveiling the DSL modems and the new
home-networking gear at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas tomorrow.
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