Intel unveils first processor designed developed and manufactured in Ireland

Intel has unveiled the first processor designed, developed and manufactured at its two Irish facilities.

The new chip, known as the IXP425, marks a significant development for Intel, which is seeking to diversify its centres for global research and development. The design and development of the processor was carried out at Intel Communications Europe in Shannon. It will be manufactured at Intel's Leixlip plant. The company employs 3,200 people in the Republic. The new chip is a network processor which is used to power applications which link the last mile of a telecoms network with a customer's home or office network.

The IXP425 chip handles data, voice and video applications across a wide range of transport mediums, including digital subscriber line, cable and wireless.

"The current generation of processors are much slower and have less processing power compared to the new chip which will be capable of processing at 500 megahertz," said Mr Jeff McKeown, business development manager for Intel's integrated access unit.

This greater processing power should enable individuals and companies to perform more complicated tasks on their local networks such as voice over the internet.

More than 50 Intel engineers worked on the project at the Shannon facility. They collaborated with the Leixlip manufacturing operation on the design. Mr McKeown said Intel would aim to expand its R&D base in Shannon, as market economics demanded. The facility currently employs 85 people.

The IXP425 processor was released among a family of other processors yesterday. These will retail at prices of less than $30 to computer and network manufacturers. Intel established its R&D base in Shannon in March 2000 following the acquisition of Basis Communications Corporation.