Intel just told us when its new 5G modem will start appearing in phones – BGR

Intel has decided to speed up the launch and deployment schedule for its new XMM 8160 5G modem, which should be made available to manufacturers six months earlier than planned. According to a statement released today, the modem will receive the modem in the second half of next year. It is expected to provide 5G connectivity to phones, computers and broadband access gateways during the first half of 2020.

Among the benefits brought by Intel, the new chip brings power, size and scalability in a case smaller than a US dime. The modem will also support the new standard for new standalone and non-autonomous 5G modes, as well as traditional 4G, 3G and 2G radios in a single chipset. "The Intel XMM 8160 5G Modem will allow device manufacturers to design smaller, more energy-efficient devices," the company said in a statement. "This can be achieved without the added complexity, power management, and form factor adjustments of two separate modems for 5G and old connectivity, as it will be introduced in the first competitive 5G modems.

Announcement continues: Modem provides state-of-the-art technology to support new millimeter-wave spectrum as well as support for NR 5G below 6 GHz, including FDD and TDD tapes from 600 MHz to 6 GHz. The modem will also support peak speeds of up to 6 gigabits per second, three to six times faster than the latest LTE modems available today.

Intel revealed in September that its technology would be used by Nokia and Ericsson in the first series of 5G deployments worldwide, according to the same source. ZDNet. In late September, Intel also announced a series of new 5G developments in China alongside manufacturers such as Huawei, ZTE, Tencent and China Mobile, among others.

As The edge In an article on today's news, Intel's modem will not be completely isolated. At least 18 other big companies, from Samsung to Nokia, Sony, Xiaomi, HTC, etc., all work with Qualcomm and its Snapdragon X50 5G NR modems. Samsung and Huawei both work on versions of their own 5G modems.

"The interesting feature here, though, is Apple," continues this article. "The company recently adopted Intel modems exclusively for its iPhone XS and XR 2018 phones (especially the Intel X60M 7560 modem). And Apple would intend to stick to Intel chips whenever it would cross the threshold of 5G. That's what it says with its iPhone 2020 models, which would make sense if Intel made the modem accessible to hardware partners by the end of 2019. "

Image source: Intel