Intel eyes sale of Edge and Networking Group: Report

Fresh off announcing the majority sale of its Altera programmable chip business, Intel is now reportedly looking to shed its networking and edge computing unit.

Intel is reportedly eyeing the sale of its edge and networking business as new CEO Lip-Bu Tan continues to shed specific units not seen as critical to the company’s future.

Tan has been making massive moves inside Intel since becoming CEO this year, which include shaking up Intel’s leadership structure, making Intel’s data center and PC business leaders report directly to him, and naming a new chief technology and AI leader.

Intel is reportedly considering divesting its network and edge computing group to focus more on PC and data center chips, according to a report Wednesday by Reuters.

Intel did not respond to CRN’s request for comment by press time.

Reuters said Intel is considering when and how to exit its networking and edge group but has yet to launch a formal deal process to solicit potential buyers.

Intel’s networking and edge business focuses on making chips for telecommunications companies.

In first-quarter 2025, Intel moved its networking and edge business group’s financial results into its data center and PC groups. It no longer reports the segment separately.

Intel sheds majority stake in Altera

Led by Tan, Intel recently said it was shedding its programmable chip business called Altera.

In April, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker unveiled its plan to sell 51 percent of its Altera business to private equity giant Silver Lake.

The deal values Altera at US$8.75 billion.

“Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to sharpening our focus, lowering our expense structure and strengthening our balance sheet,” said Tan last month. “Altera continues to make progress repositioning its product portfolio to participate in the fastest growing and most profitable segments of the FPGA [field programmable gate array] market.”

Intel will own the remaining 49 percent of its Altera business after the deal is complete.

Intel market share in x86 CPU

Last week, CPU-tracking firm Mercury Research reported Intel’s x86 CPU market share grew 0.3 points sequentially to 75.6 percent against AMD’s 24.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025.

However, AMD managed to increase its market share by 3.6 points year over year. These numbers are based on the server, laptop and desktop CPU segments.

For the desktop segment, AMD’s share increased 1 point sequentially and 4 points year over year to 28 percent against Intel’s 72 percent. In the server segment for x86 CPUs, AMD’s share grew 1.5 points sequentially and 3.6 points year over year to 27.2 percent against Intel’s 72.8 percent.