Chipmakers Intel and MediaTek have joined forces to develop 5G modem chips for the computers of the future.
The collaboration was announced yesterday and initially the two chipmakers will focus on creating laptop chips. Intel will be responsible for defining the specifications, while Taiwanese company MediaTek will be responsible for the development and manufacture of the chips.
Lucrative collaboration between Intel and MediaTek
Although both companies are successful in their own area, the collaboration can be lucrative for both Intel and MediaTek. For example, the partnership with MediaTek fills the gap that has arisen at Intel, following the acquisition of their modem division for a billion dollars by Apple earlier this year. MediaTek also has the necessary experience in the production of modem chips and managed to achieve a turnover of 8 billion dollars last year.
On the other hand, the partnership with Intel is also beneficial for MediaTek. While MediaTek is mainly known as a chip maker for smartphones, Intel is one of the largest suppliers of PC processors. The collaboration could potentially extend MediaTek’s reach, worldwide.
5G connectivity
When we talk about 5G, we are talking about a set of technologies that should make connections 10 to 100 times faster. The advent of 5G connectivity could change the digital landscape considerably. For example, developers could offer new types of services, with most of the computing being done in the cloud and the user’s own PC being spared.
The first 5G chips from MediaTek and Intel are scheduled to appear on the market in 2021. They are initially expected to be shipped with Dell and HP laptops. These two suppliers are also part of Intel’s Project Athena. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage the development of efficient laptops that are able to function for a whole working day without recharging the battery.
19 hours ago
