Intel Plans Foray Into Broadband Technology

Intel, the world's largest microprocessor manufacturer, wants to play a proactive role in the broadband medium technology arena in India.

According to Jason Chen, vice-president and general manager, Asia Pacific, Intel, "We will play the role of a proactive technology provider in the broadband area with our investments in IN Cable Networks."

IN Cable is a Mumbai-based cable network company where Intel recently picked up about 49 per cent stake. With these investments, Intel hopes to make a significant foray in the broadband market.

This project is, however, different from the company's earlier investment of $200 million for the coming two years in the new Internet medium.

 

"We are just the technology provider. The content strategy for the network is being finalised by the Indian company," Chen told Business Standard.

As part of its increased thrust on India, the company would make available an entire range of Intel products in the Internet building block area.

In addition to this, the chip major would expand its India development centre in Bangalore by increasing the number of the software professionals from the 50 to over 500 in the next three years.

The India development centre was set up in September 1999 to take advantage of the large pool of engineering talent here to meet the worldwide engineering development requirement, both software and hardware.

The company is also determined to add more and more projects to the India development centre. "The India development centre is an integral part of the company's worldwide research and development strategy," he said.

Last week, Craig Barrett, Intel president and CEO, has announced that Intel would increase its venture capital investments in India 10-fold to $ 100 million in 2000.

"Intel Capital, the venture capital fund of Intel would invest in about 30 Indian infotech companies in hardware, software, services and application areas," Craig R Barrett said.