Qualcomm unveils new modem chipset to help accelerate 5G trials
Groundbreaking component could catalyse the global race to lead the next generation of high-speed mobile phone networks
The global race to roll out 5G technology appears poised to accelerate after the launch in Hong Kong of the first commercial modem chipset for new cellular devices that will work on the next generation of mobile networks.
California-based semiconductor company Qualcomm unveiled on Tuesday its Snapdragon X50 modem chipset, which is designed to support manufacturers in building 5G smartphones and other devices, as well as aid mobile network operators with early 5G trials and deployments.
The latest innovation from Qualcomm, the world’s largest supplier of mobile chips, has come amid initial preparations in mainland China towards 5G infrastructure development. Apart from being home to three of the telecommunications industry’s largest wireless network operators, China is also the world’s biggest smartphone market.
“The Snapdragon X50 5G modem heralds the arrival of 5G as operators and original equipment manufacturers reach the cellular network and device testing phase,” Qualcomm Technologies executive vice-president Cristiano Amon said in his keynote speech at the Qualcomm 4G/5G Summit in Kowloon.
High-speed 5G networks can theoretically transmit data 20 times faster than the current 4G speed, with less than one tenth of the latency, or the time for a data request to receive a reply.
Qualcomm Technologies is Nasdaq-listed Qualcomm’s subsidiary responsible for all engineering, research and development functions.
The company said it plans to start providing samples of the Snapdragon X50 platform, including the modem, the SDR051 transceivers and PMX50 power management chip, to mobile device manufacturers and network operators in the second half of next year.