Intel announces world’s first Global 5G Modem, AT&T too unveiled its 5G evolution plans

Following Qualcomm's announcement last year, Intel at CES 2017, has unveiled a 5G modem, codenamed 'Goldridge'.

"5G will enable billions of 'things' to become smart through seamless connectivity, massive computing power and access to rich data and analytics stored at the edge of the cloud," wrote Aicha Evans, the head of Intel's communications and devices group, in a blog post about the 5G modem.

Intel’s 5G Modem will support ultra-wideband operation and also enable multi-gigabit throughput with ultra-low latency. The company said that the modem will pair with Intel’s sub-6 GHz 5G RFIC and 28 GHz 5G RFIC, delivering a global reach across the key bands of interest for 5G systems.

Being the first 5G transceiver to support both sub-6 GHz and m mWave spectrum, Intel's modem is expected to be compliant with multiple industry 5G specifications, along with 4G connection.

Intel will begin testing the 5G modem in the second half of 2017, before going into production. Intel has already started working with BMW, Nokia, Vodafone, GE to deploy 5G into their products. However, the technology is expected to go commercial only by 2020.

Intel wasn't the only one to take the limelight with the 5G announcement at CES 2017. AT&T too made the official announcement for 5G evolution.

John Donovan, chief strategy officer of Technology and Operations at AT&T said, “Our 5G Evolution plans will pave the way to the next-generation of higher speeds for customers. We’re not waiting until the final standards are set to lay the foundation for our evolution to 5G. We’re executing now.”

AT&T plans to test 5G video with DIRECTV NOW in the first half of 2017 to residents in Austin. According to the reports, the company is also planning additional 5G trials in partnership with Qualcomm Technologies and Ericsson in the second half of 2017.

These 5G modems will also reach the end-consumers by 2020 only, including Qualcomm’s 5G modem, called the Snapdragon X50.