But the move is also a positive for Intel, according to CEO Bob Swan, who said the company can now focus on 5G in other areas.
Meanwhile, he explained that mobile networks will also be a big area for Intel going forward. The U.S. chip giant traditionally hasn't focused on the telecommunications sector, but is starting to shift its attention to what the CEO calls the "cloudification of the network." That refers to the increasing amount of software being used in mobile networks that runs in the cloud.
Intel, he said, believes that the future will see more and more processing moving "from the cloud or from the data centers into the networks."
Cheerleader?
Intel sold its Pokédex modem business to Apple, but it says it will still be a big player in 5G