We reported in December that Intel had been on a roll with their efforts towards gaining entry into the wearables market in a meaningful way by introducing a smart bracelet for the holiday quarter, partnering with Luxottica and perhaps even winning over Tag Heuer's smartwatch contract for their first smartwatch to challenge Apple Watch. After Apple's iDevice revolution crippled the PC industry and Intel in particular, Intel is trying to tying to fight its way back to relevancy as is Microsoft with Windows 10. Today Intel took another leap forward in an effort to take a leading role in powering the next wave of the internet known as the Internet of Things (IoT).

Today Intel Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lantiq, a leading supplier of broadband access and home networking technologies. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in approximately 90 days. Deal terms were not disclosed.

According to Lantiq's press release, Intel Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lantiq, a leading supplier of broadband access and home networking technologies.

Smart gateways and intelligent access networks are important elements in Intel's efforts to make everything smart and connected, best with Intel. This acquisition would expand Intel's success in the cable residential gateway market and broaden its offering to other gateway markets, including DSL, Fiber, LTE, retail and IoT smart routers.

"By 2018, we expect more than 800 million broadband connected households worldwide," said Kirk Skaugen, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Client Computing Group.

"Intel has been a global leader in driving broadband into the home and to connected compute devices. The combination of our cable gateway business with Lantiq's technology and talent can allow global service providers to introduce new home computing experiences and enable consumers to take advantage of a more smart and connected home."

The combined team would have a comprehensive range of connectivity solutions and home cloud technologies for OEMs, service providers and companies innovating new applications for the home. Together with Intel's IoT solutions, Intel Security products and Intel-based client devices, Intel can deliver exciting new connected experiences for consumers.

Lantiq is based in Munich, Germany, and is a leader in state-of-the-art broadband access technology. More than 100 global operators have deployed Lantiq's DSL solutions. Lantiq has over 2000 patents related to broadband communications and offers technologies including xDSL solutions with vectoring and G.Fast; fiber-based technologies such as Fiber to the Distribution Point (FTTdp) and GPON; comprehensive gateway home networking and DSLTE systems; ultra-efficient network processors; and comprehensive Ethernet and voice solutions.

Market research firm ABI Research recently stated that the number of wireless gadgets will more than double by the end of the decade, with most of the growth coming from smart devices other than PCs and smartphones.

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