Intel's recent pledge to expand its business making chips for others highlights its ambition to snatch chip orders for Apple's popular iPhones from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. as early as 2018, industry experts said.

Intel, the world's largest chipmaker by revenue, announced earlier this month that it will license technology from British mobile chip designer ARM with the aim of securing more business from smartphone companies. LG Electronics will become the first smartphone company to adopt Intel chips following the ARM deal.

While Intel still dominates in the faltering personal computer market, it has been struggling in the mobile era with ARM virtually monopolizing smartphone chip technology.

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, has thrived partly from its close partnership with ARM during the rapid rise of smartphones over the past decade, but Intel's new alliance with the British innovator could be a game changer.

"TSMC could face tough competition as soon as 2018 or 2019 as Intel is likely to gain orders from Apple by then," Samuel Wang, a veteran semiconductor analyst at research company Gartner, told the Nikkei Asian Review. "Intel has begun to engage with Apple and it aims to grab one or two top-tier customers from TSMC."

Intel fumbled in its previous attempts to grow its foundry business, where it makes chips for others, as the U.S. company prioritized production of PC and server chips for its own use, according to Wang.

But that could change this time around, he said, as Intel now sees its foundry business as a key source of new revenue, which can be used to invest in future technologies.

A senior Taiwanese chip industry executive shared Wang's views. "Intel is definitely the most formidable challenger for TSMC," the executive told the NAR.

"There is no rivalry between Apple and Intel so it's really likely that Apple could shift some orders there. The move is also in line with Washington's policy to encourage U.S. companies to make more products at home," the person said.

Intel declined to comment. Apple did not immediately return a emailed request seeking comment.

http://www.michellhilton.com/2016/08/intel-vai-licenciar-a-tecnologia-da-arm.html