The good news coming from INTEL and MEDIATEK that they are making the 5G supported chip-sets for the laptops.

A piece of good news coming from the biggest companies in the technology market. Both INTEL and MEDIATEK start making the 5G Chipsets/processors for the laptops in 2020. This is the biggest news/update coming from INTEL and MEDIATEK.

Intel might not be building 5G modems on its own anymore, but its partnership with MediaTek is starting to bear fruit. The two companies have unveiled MediaTek’s T700 5G modem that’s designed to be used with next-generation Intel-powered laptops. For its part, Intel said it has been working on “system integration, validation and developing platform optimizations” for the 5G chip, as well as providing assistance for OEM partners.


MediaTek’s T700 modem supports Sub-6 5G tech, and the company said it has tested 5G standalone calls that don’t depend on a 4G LTE network. At the same time, however, the chipset also supports non-standalone Sub-6 5G networks that rely on a 4G network backup. MediaTek also promised that it’s “highly power efficient” so that it won’t drain your laptop if you’re surfing 5G or making calls.


Given the extra speed compared to LTE, 5G laptop modems will be a must-have for connected road warriors. Most of the 5G laptops announced so far, including Dell’s Latitude 9510 2-in1, HP’s Elite Dragonfly G2 and the Lenovo Flex 5G, use Qualcomm modems. Given Intel’s close partnership with MediaTek, however, many upcoming models might have MediaTek’s 5G modems instead.

SOURCE: engadget.com 

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Now an important and big question arises that why the booth rivals are teaming up and making chips? 

Intel and MediaTek are sorts of rivals. They both make processors for a range of consumer electronics. But Intel specializes more in computing, while Taiwan-based MediaTek does a lot of work for mobile phones, including 5G cellular. The two companies said on November 25 they will join forces in making processors to power modems in 5G notebook PCs for release by 2021.

“Together, we know Intel and MediaTek can bring the best computing and connectivity experiences to the next generation of PC platforms,” Intel said in an e-mail. “These synergies combined with a shared vision allow us to capture the upsides without fostering competition.”

Each side needs the other now to get out of their own straits, analysts say, though they caution of a small, slow-growing market for 5G PC modems. Intel is losing modem technology personnel and faces an ongoing shortage of processors for core PC clients. MediaTek would hope to undo the dominance of Qualcomm in cellular chips, they say.

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More theories on their partnership:

Qualcomm, the world's largest vendor of chips used in smartphones, is also challenging Intel's stronghold in personal computers. Samsung, Lenovo, and other manufacturers sell PCs based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon line of Arm-based SoCs, which are usually used in smartphones. The company also adapted its most advanced smartphone chip to support Windows, which has long been reserved for running on PC chips from Intel and AMD.

Then last year Qualcomm, trying to snatch more market share from Intel, launched its first purpose-built chip for PCs, called the Snapdragon 8cx. It is based on 7-nanometers, the world’s most advanced production process, and can constantly connect to cellular networks. It also has lower power consumption to support all-day battery life. Qualcomm said the chip will be used in Microsoft’s Surface Pro X device that can double as a laptop or tablet.  

Intel, however, suffered setbacks in its 5G development. The company pulled out of the market for 5G modem chips after Apple said it would revive its relationship with Qualcomm. The companies reached an agreement for Qualcomm to supply Apple with modem chips for a span of several years. Intel, which had been struggling to build 5G chips for Apple's future iPhones, sold its 5G smartphone chip assets to Apple for $1 billion in July.

 

Intel's decision removed a major rival to Qualcomm for one of the most critical components of 5G. MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Huawei are today the only suppliers in the world capable of building 5G modems chips. MediaTek said the new 5G modem for PCs would be based on its Helio M70 processor. One potential problem, however, is that this chip is currently unable to handle the millimeter waves favored in the U.S. for 5G networks.

As part of the partnership with MediaTek, Intel said it will draw up blueprints for a 5G laptop solution, including the 5G chip to be designed and manufactured by MediaTek. Intel plans to handle hardware and software engineering to make sure the modem can be integrated with its computer chips and other parts. The company will also lend its systems engineering support to OEMs. Intel said the new chip should be in end products by early 2021.

SOURCE: Electronicdesign