Intel gets a front end

Zarlink Semiconductor is to sell its RF Front-End Consumer Business to Intel Corporation for approximately $70 million.

With headquarters in Swindon in the UK, the RF operation develops demodulator and tuner technologies for digital television products.

In fiscal 2005, it generated revenues of $53 million - part of the $75 million reported by Zarlink’s consumer communications business as a whole.

Subject to closing conditions, including employee retention, the transaction is expected to close in the second half of November 2005.

The news of the acquisition follows Intel’s purchase of Oplus Technologies, a developer of display and video processor ICs, in April this year.