Intel rumored to buy SOITEC (AMD's sole waffer supplier)

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This wont happen since Intel doesnt really need SOI, at least not in such quantities it would be worthwhile to buy all SOITEC. Even InQ says its unlikely rumour :)
 
This wont happen since Intel doesnt really need SOI, at least not in such quantities it would be worthwhile to buy all SOITEC. Even InQ says its unlikely rumour :)
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Actually I do know a bit about the relationship between SOITEC and Intel...

It can happen. Intel never ruled out that they won't utilise SOI technology for its waffler, just that it was too early for 60nm and 45nm. So the rumor does have some basis for me.
 
More Inq BS -- there is no way they would get approval from the various governing bodies....
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I wouldn't be too quick to jump on the "It's the Inquirer BS" yet. This story comes from Bloomberg. Bloomberg Link

Although I don't believe the rumor has much merit. It would not be all that unusual of a move for Intel. Future Intel projects will involve integrated lasers on chip which is dependent on SOI technology as I understand it. This could very well be a realistic solution to ensuring adequate quantities of wafers. Intel already does nearly everything else in house. They are still dependent on other companies to supply silicon wafers though.

Also I don't believe this would have any real antitrust implications to it. There are many other silicon companies which would pick up the slack if needed.
 
More Inq BS -- there is no way they would get approval from the various governing bodies....
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My first thoughts as well.I don't agree. They aren't a CPU manufacturer....so there's no monopolistic problems there.
Remember that all their competitors use SOI, and in particular this company.
 
More Inq BS -- there is no way they would get approval from the various governing bodies....
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be too quick to jump on the "It's the Inquirer BS" yet. This story comes from Bloomberg. Bloomberg Link

Although I don't believe the rumor has much merit. It would not be all that unusual of a move for Intel. Future Intel projects will involve integrated lasers on chip which is dependent on SOI technology as I understand it. This could very well be a realistic solution to ensuring adequate quantities of wafers. Intel already does nearly everything else in house. They are still dependent on other companies to supply silicon wafers though.

Also I don't believe this would have any real antitrust implications to it. There are many other silicon companies which would pick up the slack if needed.

I agree with Jack. A move like this from Intel to try to control the supplies would get the attention of the anti-trust people in a hurry. Aslo, there just aren't that many sources of SOI wafers out there, so AMD would be put in a real hurt very fast, further inciting the anti-trust watchdogs.

Besides that, as mentioned by Bloomberg's, since a fair amount of Soitec's business comes from AMD, if Intel bought it and cut off AMD, then Soitec would start loosing money. Further, as Bloomberg's point out, Intel has denied interest in Soitec. This puts the whole thing in the rumor and FUD type of stuff.
 
I agree with Jack. A move like this from Intel to try to control the supplies would get the attention of the anti-trust people in a hurry. Aslo, there just aren't that many sources of SOI wafers out there, so AMD would be put in a real hurt very fast, further inciting the anti-trust watchdogs.

Besides that, as mentioned by Bloomberg's, since a fair amount of Soitec's business comes from AMD, if Intel bought it and cut off AMD, then Soitec would start loosing money. Further, as Bloomberg's point out, Intel has denied interest in Soitec. This puts the whole thing in the rumor and FUD type of stuff.
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I agree with you that this story is not likely, even to go so far as to call it FUD. But I am saying it is not impossible. Intel would not be buying the company for making profits by selling wafers to companies. They would buy it to supply their own needs thus saving themselves mucho costs.

The cost of buying SOI wafers is still much higher than bare silicon which is still much higher than the actual cost of making the wafer. If Intel takes over the company and starts making wafers in house, they stand to save a lot of money.

This would be a very good move towards lowering manufacturing costs. I must concede though that I have no idea what the legal implications would be.
 
More Inq BS -- there is no way they would get approval from the various governing bodies....
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be too quick to jump on the "It's the Inquirer BS" yet. This story comes from Bloomberg. Bloomberg Link

Although I don't believe the rumor has much merit. It would not be all that unusual of a move for Intel. Future Intel projects will involve integrated lasers on chip which is dependent on SOI technology as I understand it. This could very well be a realistic solution to ensuring adequate quantities of wafers. Intel already does nearly everything else in house. They are still dependent on other companies to supply silicon wafers though.

Also I don't believe this would have any real antitrust implications to it. There are many other silicon companies which would pick up the slack if needed.

I agree with Jack. A move like this from Intel to try to control the supplies would get the attention of the anti-trust people in a hurry. Aslo, there just aren't that many sources of SOI wafers out there, so AMD would be put in a real hurt very fast, further inciting the anti-trust watchdogs.

Besides that, as mentioned by Bloomberg's, since a fair amount of Soitec's business comes from AMD, if Intel bought it and cut off AMD, then Soitec would start loosing money. Further, as Bloomberg's point out, Intel has denied interest in Soitec. This puts the whole thing in the rumor and FUD type of stuff.A long as there's one other, though....i doubt the gov. can say anything....unless Intel owned that one too. :)
 
I know, it's from the Inquirer! :lol:

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39389


But if this news is true, it sounds a little scary.
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The likeliness of this happening is next to zit.

As someone already pointed out, Intel doesn't need SOI, and probably won't touch it in the future anyway. I guess Intel is staying CMOS in the foreseeable future.

Aside from that, Intel already has tons of FABs to maintain. Not like they're going to shell out billions of dollars to acquire another FAB.
 
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