Samsung partnering with DoCoMo, others to develop chips
updated 05:30 pm EDT, Mon September 12, 2011
Companies collaborating on smartphone components
Samsung is reportedly building new partnerships with Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo and several other companies to develop chips that will be used in upcoming smartphones. According to a Nikkei report (sub. required), the South Korean company is attempting to decrease its dependence on components produced by competing chip maker Qualcomm.
The collaboration is expected to be formed as a joint venture, with a headquarters based in Japan. NTT DoCoMo is said to be the majority owner in the 30 billion yen (~$388 million USD) operation.
The venture is said to be willing to sell its chips to companies not involved in the partnership, a move that may also lessen outside firms' reliance on Qualcomm components. Qualcomm is currently said to be a dominant force, with an 80 percent share of the baseband chip market. [via Reuters]
