width="181" align="right" /> The ongoing consolidation of DSL chip suppliers should create a positive structural effect on pricing and improve the overall health of the remaining players. Dave Burstein of DSL Prime fame points out that Broadcom (BRCM), Infineon (IFX), Conexant (CNXT), and Ikanos (IKAN) now account for 95% of DSL chipset market share. This is extremely positive.
Ikanos (IKAN) announced last week that it would pay a ‘leading European OEM’ $1.6M in return for a development agreement, most likely Alcatel. This is a very odd deal and is worthy of closer examination.