Global chip manufacturer Intel and semiconductor manufacturer MediaTek have partnered to manufacture chips and mitigate the current global chip shortage.

The strategic partnership will see MediaTek leveraging Intel Foundry Services’ (IFS’s) advanced process technologies to manufacture multiple chips for a range of smart edge devices, many of which provide more affordable smartphone options in South Africa.

“The agreement is designed to help MediaTek build a more balanced, resilient supply chain through the addition of a new foundry partner, ultimately improving the cost and availability of certain devices in Africa,” the partners explain.

Established in 2021 to help mitigate the growing global demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing capacity, IFS offers a broad manufacturing platform with technologies for high-performance, low-power and always-on connectivity.

“As one of the world’s leading fabless chip designers powering more than two-billion devices a year, MediaTek is a terrific partner for IFS, as we enter our next phase of growth. We have the right combination of advanced process technology and geographically diverse capacity to help MediaTek deliver the next billion connected devices across a range of applications,” says IFS president Randhir Thakur.

MediaTek platform technology and manufacturing operations corporate senior VP NS Tsai says that the company has long adopted a multisourcing strategy, pointing to MediaTek’s existing fifth-generation data card business partnership with Intel.

The new partnership extends the relationship to the manufacturing of smart edge devices through IFS.

“With its commitment to major capacity expansions, IFS provides value to MediaTek as we seek to create a more diversified supply chain. We look forward to building a long-term partnership to serve the fast-growing demand for our products from customers across the globe.”