Intel is partnering with MediaTek on the development, certification and support of 5G modem solutions for the next generation of PC experiences. As part of the partnership, Intel will define a 5G solution specification, including a 5G modem to be developed and delivered by MediaTek. Intel will also provide optimization and validation across the platform and lend system integration and co-engineering support to further enable its OEM partners.
“5G is poised to unleash a new level of computing and connectivity that will transform the way we interact with the world. This partnership with MediaTek brings together industry leaders with deep engineering, system integration and connectivity expertise to deliver 5G experiences on the next generation of the world’s best PCs.” -Gregory Bryant, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group.
The first products are targeting availability in early 2021. Dell and HP are expected to be among the first OEMs to deliver laptops enabled with Intel and MediaTek’s 5G solution.
5G will be the most significant network transformation in history. It represents the convergence of computing and communications, and it will open the door for new PC experiences and the way we connect with the world around us. Intel believes that the future’s best PCs will deliver experiences that help people do more of what they set out to achieve, and next-generation technologies like 5G are powerful building blocks in bringing those experiences to life.
Intel is the volume leader in both wireless and cellular connected PCs today with its Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) and LTE solutions optimized across consumer and commercial segments. Underscoring Intel’s commitment to enabling powerful PC platforms for the data-centric era, including its Project Athena innovation program, this partnership expands Intel’s portfolio of leadership connectivity products to deliver 5G on future generations of advanced laptops.
MediaTek’s POV: “Our 5G modem for PCs, developed in partnership with Intel, is integral to making 5G accessible and available across home and mobile platforms,” said MediaTek President Joe Chen. “5G will usher in the next era of PC experiences, and working with Intel, an industry leader in computing, highlights MediaTek’s expertise in designing 5G technology for global markets. With this partnership, consumers will be able to browse, stream and game faster on their PCs, but we also expect them to innovate with 5G in ways we have not yet imagined.”
As a first step in the partnership, Intel will define a 5G solution specification focused on deployment in key laptop segments, and MediaTek will be responsible for the development and manufacturing of the 5G modem. Intel will also develop and validate platform-level hardware and software integration, including OS host drivers.
The two companies are also working with Fibocom on the development of M.2 modules optimized for integration with Intel client platforms. As the first module vendor for this solution, Fibocom will provide operator certification and regulatory support, as well as lead 5G M.2 module manufacturing, sales and distribution.
More About Intel’s Role in 5G: Intel is leading the charge to transform the network, extend edge computing and unleash new usages to deliver on the promise of 5G. In addition to having the industry’s broadest portfolio of 5G network solutions and a fast path to deployment, Intel is also driving open source software and standards-based technologies that will bring 5G to life. The company’s investments in 5G technologies will transform the very way data is transferred and processed across devices of all shapes and sizes, creating a platform for innovation, delivering immersive consumer experiences, and opening previously unimagined business and financial opportunities.
