Intel has announced that it will collaborate with MediaTek to develop 5G modems for laptops, with their new products set to launch in early 2021.
Under the partnership agreement, Intel will develop the necessary hardware and software specifications for 5G PC modems, including host drivers , while MediaTek will be responsible for the development and manufacturing of the 5G modems.
"Thanks to this partnership, consumers will be able to browse, stream and game faster on their computers, innovating with 5G in ways we haven't even imagined," said MediaTek President Joe Chen.
According to Dell and HP , they will be among the first computer manufacturers to offer laptops featuring 5G modems from Intel and MediaTek.
Additionally, the two companies stated that they are collaborating with Fibocom to develop M.2 modules.
In April, Intel decided to exit its 5G phone modem business, which was sold to Apple in a $1 billion deal a few months later.
Intel said the decision to exit the 5G phone modem business was because there was "no clear path to profitability and positive returns.".
During CES 2019, Intel also announced its latest 5G and AI breakthrough as part of Project Athena, an innovation program with new industry specifications for laptops.
Intel said it expects to see the first devices using Project Athena in the second half of 2019, in collaboration with its innovation partners in the project, including Dell, Google, HP, Samsung, Microsoft, Acer, Asus, Lenovo and Innolux.
"Including 5G and artificial intelligence, Project Athena creates a path forward to accelerate mobile computing innovation," Intel said at CES.
