Lantiq

Lantiq was a Germany-based fabless semiconductor company that supplied integrated circuits and system-on-chip products for telecommunications access networks and residential networking equipment. Its roots were in Infineon Technologies’ wire-based communications division, which was separated from Infineon during the financial pressures surrounding the Great Recession. Infineon announced the proposed sale of the division to Golden Gate Capital on 7 July 2009, and the transaction closed on 6 November 2009. The stand-alone business adopted the Lantiq name and established its central functions and executive management in Neubiberg, near Munich. The company’s formation combined Infineon’s existing communications expertise with technology and intellectual property obtained through earlier transactions. In 2004, Infineon had acquired Taiwan-based ADMTek, a supplier associated with Ethernet and networking technology, in a cash transaction reported at approximately US$100 million. Assets and patents acquired from Massachusetts-based Aware were also included in the Lantiq spin-out. These inherited capabilities helped define Lantiq’s focus on communications silicon rather than general-purpose computing or consumer electronics branding. Lantiq operated as a fabless semiconductor supplier, meaning that it designed and marketed chips while relying on external manufacturing partners. Its portfolio addressed carrier and service-provider access infrastructure as well as the equipment installed in homes and small businesses. Product areas included digital subscriber line technologies, voice over Internet Protocol, wireless local-area networking, Gigabit Ethernet, passive optical networking, and related system-on-chip platforms. The company’s customers and commercial partners were primarily in telecommunications, broadband equipment, networking, and connected-home markets. Leadership changed in May 2012, when Dan Artusi, formerly associated with Conexant, replaced Christian Wolff as chief executive. During this period Lantiq continued to broaden its technology coverage beyond traditional DSL. In January 2011 it announced home-networking technology compatible with the ITU-T G.hn standard under the XWAY HNX brand. G.hn was intended to use existing in-home wiring for high-speed networking, complementing Lantiq’s established broadband-access and networking products. Intel announced on 2 February 2015 that it had agreed to acquire Lantiq for a transaction valued at approximately US$345 million. The deal was intended to strengthen Intel’s portfolio for connected devices, Internet-of-Things applications, and gateways. Following the acquisition, Lantiq ceased to operate as an independent company and its technology and activities became part of Intel’s communications and connectivity operations. Intel subsequently sold the business to MaxLinear in 2020. As a result, Lantiq is best understood today as a former semiconductor company and technology brand whose assets became part of larger chip businesses rather than as an active stand-alone enterprise.

Lantiq originated in Infineon Technologies’ wire-based communications activities. During the economic pressures of the late-2000s financial crisis, Infineon pursued measures intended to raise cash and streamline its business. On 7 July 2009, Infineon announced that it had agreed to sell the communications division to Golden Gate Capital. The transaction created a separate semiconductor company, which adopted the Lantiq name and completed its separation from Infineon on 6 November 2009. The new company inherited technology from several sources. Infineon’s 2004 acquisition of Taiwan-based ADMTek added networking capabilities, while assets and patents purchased from Massachusetts-based Aware were also incorporated into the spin-out. Lantiq therefore began with an established base in communications silicon rather than as a newly formed design venture. Its headquarters and executive functions were located in Neubiberg, near Munich, Germany, and the company grew to approximately 1,000 employees. Lantiq followed a fabless semiconductor model. It designed chips and platforms for telecommunications operators, broadband-equipment manufacturers, and home-networking vendors, while manufacturing was handled through external semiconductor foundries and partners. Its principal markets included carrier access networks and the residential equipment connected to those networks. Its portfolio covered digital subscriber line technologies, VoIP, wireless LAN, Gigabit Ethernet, passive optical networking, and integrated system-on-chip products. The company also pursued standards and technologies intended to increase network performance inside the home. In January 2011, Lantiq announced an implementation of ITU-T G.hn home-networking technology using the XWAY HNX brand. G.hn was designed to provide networking over existing household wiring, giving service providers and equipment makers another approach to distributing broadband connectivity beyond the gateway. Christian Wolff led the company around its creation and transaction closing. In May 2012, Dan Artusi, who had been associated with Conexant, replaced Wolff as chief executive. The leadership transition occurred while Lantiq was competing in communications markets shaped by the migration from traditional DSL toward faster broadband, optical access, wireless connectivity, and increasingly integrated home gateways. On 2 February 2015, Intel announced an agreement to buy Lantiq for approximately US$345 million. Intel presented the acquisition as a way to expand its offerings for connected devices, Internet-of-Things applications, and gateways. The purchase ended Lantiq’s independent corporate status and transferred its technology and operations into Intel. In 2020, Intel sold the business to MaxLinear. Lantiq consequently became a former company and technology brand, with its legacy associated with broadband-access and home-networking semiconductor products rather than with an ongoing independent corporate organization.

• 2020

  Business sold to MaxLinear

  [1]Lantiqen.wikipedia.org

  Intel sold the Lantiq business to MaxLinear, ending its period under Intel ownership.

• 2015

  Intel announces acquisition

  [1]Lantiqen.wikipedia.org

  Intel agreed to acquire Lantiq in a transaction valued at approximately US$345 million.

• 2012

  Dan Artusi becomes chief executive

  [1]Lantiqen.wikipedia.org

  Dan Artusi replaced Christian Wolff as Lantiq’s chief executive.

• 2011

  XWAY HNX G.hn technology announced

  [1]Lantiqen.wikipedia.org

  Lantiq introduced home-networking technology compatible with the ITU-T G.hn standard under the XWAY HNX name.

• 2009

  Lantiq spin-out announced

  [1]Lantiqen.wikipedia.org

  Infineon announced the sale of its wire-based communications division to Golden Gate Capital and the creation of a separate company.

• 2009

  Transaction closes

  [1]Lantiqen.wikipedia.org

  The transaction closed on 6 November, establishing Lantiq as an independent fabless semiconductor company.

• 2004

  Infineon acquires ADMTek

  [1]Lantiqen.wikipedia.org

  Infineon acquired Taiwan-based ADMTek in a transaction that added networking technology later associated with the Lantiq business.

A specialist fabless semiconductor supplier for broadband access, carrier communications, connected-home infrastructure, and networking equipment.

• Broadband access semiconductors

  DSL and broadband-access SoCs

  Lantiq developed system-on-chip and related integrated-circuit products for digital subscriber line and other broadband-access technologies. These components were intended for equipment deployed by telecommunications providers and in customer-premises gateways, combining communications processing and interface functions in highly integrated designs.

• Home networking · 2011

  XWAY HNX

  XWAY HNX was the brand used for Lantiq’s home-networking technology compliant with the ITU-T G.hn standard. The technology addressed distribution of data across a home using existing wiring and complemented Lantiq’s broadband gateway and access-network portfolio.

• Voice communications semiconductors

  VoIP integrated circuits

  Lantiq’s portfolio included chips supporting voice over Internet Protocol applications. These products served communications equipment and broadband gateways that integrated telephone services with packet-based broadband connections.

• Networking semiconductors

  Wireless LAN and Ethernet silicon

  Lantiq made networking integrated circuits covering wireless LAN and Gigabit Ethernet applications. These products supported connectivity within broadband equipment, gateways, and home-networking systems.

• Optical access semiconductors

  Passive optical networking products

  Passive optical networking was among Lantiq’s communications-technology areas. The products were directed toward access infrastructure in which optical links connect service-provider networks with homes and businesses.

• 2020

  Transfer the business from Intel to MaxLinearM&A

  Background

  Intel later divested the Lantiq business as part of a change in ownership of the technology and operations.

  Action taken

  Intel sold the business to MaxLinear.

  Aftermath

  The Lantiq brand no longer represented an independent operating company.

  Source

• 2015

  Sell Lantiq to IntelM&A

  Background

  Intel wanted to broaden its chip portfolio for connected devices, Internet-of-Things applications, and gateways.

  Action taken

  Intel agreed to acquire Lantiq in a transaction valued at approximately US$345 million.

  Aftermath

  Lantiq ceased to operate as an independent company and became part of Intel’s communications and connectivity activities.

  Transaction value. Approximately US$345 million (Announced 2 February 2015)

  Source

• 2011

  Introduce XWAY HNX G.hn home networkingProduct launch

  Background

  Lantiq sought to extend its communications portfolio from broadband access into networking within the home.

  Action taken

  The company announced home-networking technology compliant with the ITU-T G.hn standard under the XWAY HNX brand.

  Aftermath

  The announcement positioned Lantiq for home-networking applications using existing household wiring, although the available reference material does not document later commercial results.

  Source

• 2009

  Separate the communications division from InfineonM&A

  Background

  Infineon sought to raise cash and simplify its business structure during the financial pressures of the late-2000s recession.

  Action taken

  Infineon agreed to sell its wire-based communications division to Golden Gate Capital, creating the stand-alone Lantiq company.

  Aftermath

  The transaction closed in November 2009 and Lantiq operated as an independent fabless semiconductor supplier.

  Source

1. 1Lantiqen.wikipedia.org