Chip maker Broadcom is planning to cut 240 jobs at its Irvine headquarters, and 630 throughout California, as the company winds down its cellular baseband business, according to layoff notices sent to the state.

The reductions are part of a larger plan announced last week to eliminate 2,500 total positions, or 20 percent of the tech firm’s global operations, which span North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The long-time Apple supplier is cutting costs mainly because it has failed to keep up with competitors such as San Diego-based Qualcomm and emerging Asian firms, analysts say. Broadcom, whose chips have been featured in iPhones, also was late to the 4G-chip game.

Among the statewide cuts, its headquarters and San Diego office – which will lose 203 jobs – will be the hardest hit. Nearly all the layoffs in the state will occur on Sept. 26, with the remainder happening Nov. 7, based on letters Broadcom sent to the Employment Development Department.

Offices in Santa Clara, San Jose and Sunnyvale also will be affected.

The total layoffs could save $700 million annually, Broadcom estimates. It is producing chips for products that use the Internet to control everyday objects, such as home appliances and thermostats, from mobile devices.

Contact the writer: lleung@ocregister.com