Intel Corporation and PCTEL signed a cross-license agreement pertaining modem technology. Certain sources also claim Intel gained access to software Wi-Fi technologies of Chicago, Illinois-based communication firm.

Under terms of the agreement, Intel will receive a license to all of PCTEL’s patents. PCTEL will receive a cross-license to Intel owned patents that relate to PCTEL’s business focus and a one time $14.5 million payment.

PCTEL shipped “soft” modems before selling the HSP modem product line to Conexant earlier this year. Since then, they have focused on licensing their modem technology. As part of their licensing campaign, they sued Broadcom, 3Com, U.S. Robotics, Agere, and Lucent for patent infringement. They recently settled with Broadcom.

PCTEL is working on certain WLAN software that simplifies process of deploying and using wireless networks.

Intel next year will continue to aggressively penetrate the market of hardware and software WLAN solutions by further strengthening the Centrino platform in mobile and adding software Wi-Fi capabilities into next-generation desktop chipsets, namely Grantsdale and Alderwood.