Intel partners with MediaTek on 5G modems for laptops

Intel will release 5g modems for laptops together with MediaTek. The first laptops from HP and Dell with the modems should appear in early 2021. Intel defines the specifications and MediaTek develops and makes the modems.

According to Intel’s announcement, the company will partner with MediaTek to develop, certify and support 5G modems for laptops. The explanation shows that Intel will not manufacture the modems itself, but will supply the specifications after which MediaTek makes them.

Intel says it will provide optimization, validation and drivers. Intel will also provide support to laptop manufacturers to help integrate the modems. At the beginning of 2021, the first products with the 5G modems from Intel and MediaTek should appear. Intel says HP and Dell are among the first manufacturers to ship laptops with the new hardware.

Earlier this year, Intel announced it would stop developing 5G modems for smartphones. The manufacturer did this after Apple and Qualcomm reached a settlement. Part of that settlement is that Apple will continue to buy modems from Qualcomm for years to come. It is likely that Apple will then opt for its own modem. In July, Intel sold the majority of its smartphone modem business to Apple for $1 billion.

Apple was Intel’s most important customer for modems. The iPhone manufacturer has used 4g modems from Intel and Intel has developed several 5g modems for smartphones. When Intel sold its smartphone modem division, the company said it would continue to develop 5G modems for PCs, IoT devices and other hardware.