More Price-Cutting -- Intel Trims Ethernet
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Price-cutting is the name of the game in Fast Ethernet
hardware. Don't expect that to change soon. Intel's aggressive
bid for market share is one of the biggest factors. Intel set the
pricing pace a year ago in the 10/100-Mbps adapter card
market. Caught off-guard, adapter card king 3Com roared
back late last year. 3Com now holds a 39 percent worldwide
market share to Intel's 36 percent, says market research firm
In-Stat. Executives at both companies are watching the
market share numbers with a near-maniacal eye. 3Com, for
instance, posted Fast Ethernet share numbers as the main
item on its Web site in late May.
Their competitive zeal is spreading to other categories. Intel,
which trails its Santa Clara, Calif., neighbors 3Com and Bay
Networks in unmanaged hubs, is determined to change that.
Latecomer Intel has cracked the $100-per-port barrier in Fast
Ethernet hubs. In the switching market, Intel had been using
National Semiconductor's Fast Ethernet controller chips but
recently began using its own chips, a sign that Intel is digging
in for a long battle.
Copyright 1997 CMP Media Inc.
North America,United States of America
VARBusiness
Author: Cassimir Medford
June 01, 1997 |
