May 13, 2018 - Technology

Qualcomm server boss exits as unit's fate in limbo

Ina Fried
A Qualcomm server chip

The Centriq, seen here, was Qualcomm's effort to get into the data center. Photo: Qualcomm

Anand Chandrasekher, who had been leading Qualcomm's efforts to crack the server chip business, has left the company.

Why it matters: The move comes as Qualcomm appears poised to end its effort to challenge Intel in the data center. Bloomberg reported last week that Qualcomm was looking to sell or shutter the unit.

The backstory: Chandrasekher joined Qualcomm in 2012 from Intel to lead its marketing efforts, but was moved to the data center job after taking a shot at Apple, a large customer.

  • After a long development effort, Qualcomm started selling a server chip, known as the Centriq 2400, last year. The company has recently been paring back efforts not seen as core to its future.

A Qualcomm representative declined to comment on Chandrasekher's departure, the fate of the server chip unit or say who is now running that business.

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