CCI approves Intel-Motorola Mobility deal

NEW DELHI: CCI has given its approval to global chip maker Intel's proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility's certain assets including patents, saying the combination would not have any direct impact on competition in India.

As per the deal Intel would acquire certain assets of Motorola Mobility such as non-Indian intellectual property rights, including patents and patent applications. The chip maker would also buy tangible assets of the company located in the US besides getting the rights to hire some American employees of Motorola Mobility, among others.

"... the market for cellular baseband processors is competitive on account of presence of major players including Qualcomm, MediaTek, Texas Instruments and Broadcom," CCI said in its order dated January 22.

Motorola Mobility subsidiaries in India are Motorola Mobility India and Motorola Mobility Chennai.

The regulator said the assets of Motorola Mobility which are being acquired by Intel do not presently generate any revenue in India.

As per the order, Intel is a recent entrant into the production of components for wireless hand held devices including cellular baseband processors.

The company has various subsidiaries in India including Intel Technology India, Intel Mobile Communications India and McAfee Software.

Intel and Motorola Mobility had reached 'Asset Purchase Agreement' in December, 2012, following which they approached CCI for approval.