The modem was two specifically separate designs from two different companies.

> but they need to have a negotiating position with their single point of failure supplier

They don't. Apple has an Architecture License for ARM, they can do whatever the fuck they want.

If you're referring to TSMC - it shouldn't be too much of a problem for Apple to go and contract Samsung instead, at least assuming Samsung can keep up the yield. Intel isn't a competitor to either TSMC or Samsung, their fab process is years behind.