MediaTek plans to use Intel Foundry Services to manufacture new chips for a range of smart edge devices may improve supply of affordable technology in Africa.
Global chip manufacturer, Intel, has shown significant commitment to rectifying the chip shortage that has plagued global supply chains over the last three years. The latest development occurred earlier this week when Intel and semiconductor manufacturer MediaTek announced a strategic partnership to manufacture chips using Intel Foundry Services’ (IFS) advanced process technologies. The agreement is designed to help MediaTek build a more balanced, resilient supply chain through the addition of a new foundry partner, ultimately improving the cost and availability of certain devices available in Africa.
MediaTek plans to use Intel process technologies to manufacture multiple chips for a range of smart edge devices, many of which provide more affordable smartphone options in South Africa.
Established in 2021 to help combat the growing global demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing capacity, IFS offers a broad manufacturing platform with technologies optimised for high performance, low power and always-on connectivity. It has been built on a roadmap that spans production-proven three-dimensional FinFET transistors to next-generation breakthroughs. It stands apart from other foundry offerings through a unique combination of leading-edge process and packaging technology, a world-class IP portfolio, and committed capacity in the United States and Europe.
“As one of the world’s leading fabless chip designers powering more than 2 billion devices a year, MediaTek is a terrific partner for IFS as we enter our next phase of growth,” said IFS President Randhir Thakur. “We have the right combination of advanced process technology and geographically diverse capacity to help MediaTek deliver the next billion connected devices across a range of applications.”
NS Tsai, corporate senior vice president of Platform Technology & Manufacturing Operations at MediaTek, said, “MediaTek has long adopted a multi-sourcing strategy. We have an existing 5G data card business partnership with Intel, and now extend our relationship to manufacturing smart edge devices through Intel Foundry Services. With its commitment to major capacity expansions, IFS provides value to MediaTek as we seek to create a more diversified supply chain. We look forward to building a long-term partnership to serve the fast-growing demand for our products from customers across the globe.”
Not only IFS customers will benefit from Intel’s recently announced factory expansions and investments in greenfield sites in Europe and the United States. It is highly probable that the benefits of this strategic partnership will filter down to African consumers, reducing the negative effects of the ongoing shortage while increasing the availability and affordability of critical technologies.