Intel exec sees AT&T as potential partner in network infrastructure chip market

Intel envisions a multibillion-dollar opportunity to bring its chipsets into network infrastructure as more and more operators turn to Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). Carriers are just starting this process with their vendor partners, but Intel sees AT&T's (NYSE: T) Domain 2.0 initiative to get vendors to virtualize their hardware as a promising opportunity, according to Intel's Rose Schooler. In an interview with FierceWirelessTech, Schooler, the general manager of Intel's communications infrastructure division, said NFV and the shift to virtualizing hardware "provides us with a unique opportunity that we haven't had before." The Intel executive said that the total network infrastructure chipset market is a $16 billion opportunity. Without giving a specific revenue target for Intel in that larger market, she said, "We see a substantial multibillion-dollar growth opportunity for the Data Center group and for CSIG in networking." Article