Freescale wireless biz sale still underway

Declining to comment on several reports that Freescale Semiconductor was close to selling wireless chip unit, a spokesperson said there is no update yet on the firm's discussions to sell all or part of its cellular business to a Chinese firm.

Some foreign news outlets have reported that Chinese conglomerate Cosun is either close to a deal or has one already in place to acquire Freescale's cellular products group. These reports could not be independently verified.

Freescale said last year it would exit the wireless IC business, putting the cellular products group up for sale. But in January—after failing to find a buyer for the division—Freescale said it was considering other options, including selling it in pieces rather than holding out for a single buyer.

"At this point, those activities are still underway and there is no update to provide regarding any discussions," said the Freescale spokesperson in an email exchange with EE Times. "We will provide you with an update once a final decision has been reached."

Analyst Will Struss of Forward Concepts Inc. said indications pointed to the sale of Freescale's RF transceiver options in Tempe, Ariz., and that rumored buyers included Samsung and ZTE. The fate of Freescale's baseband operations in Austin, Texas, remains in limbo, Strauss wrote in a newsletter sent to subscribers.

Strauss added that Freescale would not confirm impending sale of any part of the unit and had indicated to him that an announcement would be made the week of April 20. Strauss said he guessed an announcement would be made April 22.

- Dylan McGrath
EE Times