IBM today announced that it has licensed a broad range of ARM® Cortex® processors from ARM Holdings.

With this announcement, IBM consolidates and enriched its portfolio in the domain of microprocessors.
Henceforth the ARM Cortex-A15, Cortex-A12, Cortex-A7 and Cortex-M4 processors, the ARM Mali™-450 Graphic Processing Unit (GPU), are included in the new license
agreement.
In this approach, IBM plans to offer the new microprocessors to its custom-chip clients: companies that build network routers, switches and the cellular base stations that enable pervasive wired and wireless communications across the globe.
"Building on their longstanding engagement on ARM Artisan Physical IP, IBM’s extensive commitment to ARM Cortex CPU and ARM Mali GPU technology reflects the increasing demand for optimized-for-function, energy efficient platforms.” said Tom Cronk, executive vice president and general manager, Processor Division, ARM.