Intel rumour points to major Nokia deal

Intel is hoping that a deal with Nokia will boost its position in the mobile market

Intel is rumoured to be making a significant announcement today, in which it will reveal that it has signed Nokia as a mobile customer.

Reports on the web suggest that insiders close to the firm have leaked details about the deal, which they claim will dramatically advance Intel's position in the mobile market.

The chip giant has already won support for its Atom chips from Nokia, one of the world's most popular handset manufacturers.

Nokia's share of the mobile market is currently fluctuating around the 38 per cent mark, according to its own financial statements, and the firm shipped around 93.2 million units in the first quarter of 2009.

Such a partner would certainly be attractive to Intel as it strives to boost its position in the mobile market.

Bloomberg, which first covered the story, claims that an unnamed source informed the news site that the deal would be announced by Anand Chandrasekher, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Ultra Mobility Group.

Since this was reported, V3.co.uk has been invited to a news conference hosted by Chandrasekher at 4.30pm UK time.

An Intel spokesman described the news as "breaking" and "important". He added that the nature of the news is "significant", and that the firm is "not doing any pre-interviews or embargoes", further fuelling speculation about the deal.