MaxLinear’s $150 million play for Intel Corp.’s home connectivity unit will shore up its position in the market for DOCSIS modems and gateways. But gaining access to Intel’s Wi-Fi technology and expertise represents an even more critical strategic piece of the puzzle, according to MaxLinear CEO Kishore Seendripu.
Wi-Fi represents “a long-sought critical missing strategic element in our portfolio,” Seendripu said Monday on a call covering the strategic scope of the deal. “We expect Wi-Fi to be the catalyst for growth for the overall business.”
Of particular focus for MaxLinear will be Wi-Fi 6, the next-gen version of the technology that is grabbing interest from cable operators and other service providers. MaxLinear is also bullish on the prospects of Wi-Fi 6E, an extension that will support the 6GHz band, which is being opened up by the FCC for unlicensed use.
At an anecdotal level, MaxLinear said the extension is already part of Wi-Fi product design wins involving Intel.
Seendripu said the Intel deal would also position MaxLinear to sell Wi-Fi products in integrated designs using systems-on-chip, as well as a standalone element in other products for service providers and retail equipment makers. “It’s a mixed bag. It depends on the situation,” he said.
And with Intel’s connected home division in hand, MaxLinear will be competing in the Wi-Fi silicon market more directly with a group that includes Broadcom, Qualcomm, Celeno, MediaTek, Marvell, Quantenna (now part of ON Semiconductor) and Edgewater Wireless.
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