Buying Broadcom Could be an Option for Intel, If Qualcomm Deal Fail
Threatened by a possible Broadcom-Qualcomm deal, Intel is considering a range of acquisition alternatives that could include a bid for Broadcom.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Intel is watching Boadcom's takeover battle and is eager for Broadcom to fail as the combined company would pose a serious competitive threat. If it looks like Broadcom is likely to prevail, Intel could step in with its offer for Broadcom, WSJ's sources said.
Broadcom makes WiFi, Bluetooth, and chips for everything from cable modems to set-top boxes to digital video recorders connectivity chips.
Intel said in a statement that it doesn't comment on rumors or speculation related to mergers. "That being said, we have made important acquisitions over the past 30 months -- including Mobileye and Altera -- and our focus is on integrating those acquisitions and making them successful for our customers and shareholders," the company said.
The company announced an unsolicited bid of $130 billion for Qualcomm in November. Qualcomm, the world's largest maker of chips and processors for phones, rejected a revised, $121 billion buyout in February. Talks grew more contentious a few weeks later when Broadcom lowered its buyout offer for Qualcomm to approximately $117 billion.
Earlier this week, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States called for an investigation of Broadcom's proposed acquisition.
Intel has been making advancements in mobile devices, including supplying 4G chips for the newest iPhones, but has failed to take part of Qualcomm's stake in the wireless market.