Intel buys Mobilian

Wants integrated Bluetooth option...

Intel has bought Israeli chipset company Mobilian for an undisclosed sum.

Mobilian develops an integrated 802.11b and Bluetooth chipset and will likely become part of the chip giant's wireless group.

Founded in 1999, Mobilian has raised around $70m over its independent lifespan, but reports on the internet suggest its sale price was much lower. The company employs around 70 staff, down from a high of 125.

Intel has been working on combining various wireless standards on single products.

Operators and makers of laptops have expressed interest in designs that bring together 802.11b and a wireless LAN connectivity with other standards such as GPRS, W-CDMA 3G and Bluetooth, which is used for connecting devices at much closer distances.

Competition to what Mobilian is doing with its TrueRadio offering is likely to come from Texas Instruments.