Intel Corp. said today it has acquired a company called Rivet Networks LLC, maker of the Killer Networking line of Wi-Fi network interface cards used in laptops from brands such as Dell Technologies Inc., HP Inc. and Alienware.

Intel didn’t reveal how much it is paying to acquire Rivet Networks. It said the company’s Killer portfolio of ethernet controllers, management software and wireless chips will be integrated into its own product lineup. Rivet Networks will be absorbed by the Wireless Solutions Group, which is a part of Intel’s largest Client Computing Group unit, while the Killer software will continue to be licensed to other companies.

Rivet Networks’ NICs are geared toward gamers and other high-performance laptop users. The technology helps maximize Wi-Fi bandwidth and optimize network connections on PC gaming machines and other applications that require higher latency.

Intel has actually competed with Rivet Networks in the NIC market for more than a decade, so today’s acquisition seems to strengthen its position in the gaming market.

“I see this as a positive move by Intel as the wireless experience isn’t optimal right now,” said Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy. “Today, traffic flows in and out haphazardly with no governance of what takes priority. When you’re on a Teams video call, you don’t want a big download or email attachment cratering the call. This type of technology governs what takes priority.”

The acquisition doesn’t come totally out of the blue, since the companies have collaborated in the past on Rivet Network’s Killer Wireless-AC 1550 NIC, which was manufactured by Intel, Anandtech reported.

It’s likely Intel will launch a new line of NICs at some point in future that incorporates the Killer technology, most likely in some type of high-end gaming laptop. Still, Intel hasn’t given any indication of when that might happen.

“Rivet Networks is a terrific complement to our existing Wi-Fi products and helps us further our vision of delivering PC platforms that power every person’s greatest contribution,” said Chris Walker, vice president and general manager of Intel’s Mobile Client Platforms Group.

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