The Mobile World Congress is scheduled to begin in a matter of days, but Intel isn’t waiting for the conference to make announcements. The company said today that it aims to bring 5G to PCs via its new commercial modems.
The Intel XMM 8000-series modems are designed for two-in-one PCs, and they’re the chip maker’s first attempt at bringing 5G technology to PCs. Intel is partnering with Microsoft and major PC manufacturers such as Lenovo, HP and Dell to bring the mobile technology to PCs, and it plans to show off the first devices equipped with it at the Mobile World Congress this month.
The chip maker aims to show off the strength of its 5G technology by targeting video streaming and online gaming. Intel suggested that its technology could enable users to play multiplayer games while riding in a self-driving vehicle.
Earlier this month, Intel revealed its D-2100 processor, which is also designed for 5G. The processor is aimed at supporting the network’s edge, enabling more local traffic. The company expects edge computing to be the next major area of 5G technology to offer room for growth.
The announcement about the modems for two-in-one devices wasn’t the only one Intel had. The chip maker also said it is collaborating on a 5G phone platform with Unigroup Spreadtrum. The final product is expected to become available in 2016, and it will pair the Intel XMM 8000-series 5G modem with an application processor made by Spreadtrum. The end result will be a single chipset solution that’s targeted at smartphone makers. Spreadtrum management said the Intel partnership marks the beginning of their 5G Global Leading Strategy.
The chip maker is also planning to showcase its new Wi-Fi technology via an ultra-thin PC. The device will utilize the next generation of Wi-Fi tech, which is 802.11ax. The current standard for Wi-Fi technology is 802.11ac. The newer standard boasts faster speeds and is also designed to perform better in places where lots of devices are all competing for multiple signals, such as in apartment buildings. Intel also expects to show off its PC modems that support eSIM technology at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
