Key partners include Ericsson, Nokia, Verizon and Korean carriers
BARCELONA, Spain – Intel announced partnerships with telecom operators and vendors designed to to pave the way for the deployment of smarter and more efficient “5G” wireless networks. Intel said efforts towards the provisioning of innovative 5G services should start now.
“We have to make some changes to the network, to the devices, to the cloud and the infrastructure,” said Aicha Evans, corporate VP and GM of Intel’s Communication and Devices Group, during a press event held at this week’s Mobile World Congress event. “We are committed to do this and this is what we call the path to 5G. … Partnerships are a fundamental part of this initiative. We are working with industry leaders globally.”
Intel and Swedish vendor Ericsson are collaborating with mobile operators on 5G solutions and engaging in joint trials as an extension of the current partnership in network transformation, cloud and “Internet of Things.”
Intel said it expects to implement 5G trials in 2018 with Korean telco KT. Those trials are set to develop and verify 5G wireless technology and associated devices, virtual network platforms and joint standardization efforts.
In another initiative, Intel and Korean company LG Electronics plan to jointly develop and test 5G telematics technology for next-generation cars.
Finnish vendor Nokia and Intel are also set to collaborate on pre-standard 5G radio technologies and network solutions designed to enable early implementation of both 5G mobile client and wireless infrastructure, as well as interoperability of 5G radio technologies to meet the device connectivity requirements for future wireless networks.
Korean telecoms operator SK Telecom and Intel this year plan to develop and verify 5G mobile device and network solutions, as well as devices for licensed assisted access technology in unlicensed spectrum bands.
Also, Verizon Communications and Intel are conducting field trials for 5G wireless solutions through the Verizon 5G Technology Forum using millimeter wave spectrum to deliver connectivity.
Other partners include NTT DoCoMo, Vodafone, AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Cisco Systems, Huawei and ZTE.
“We expect to add new partnerships in the coming months,” Evans added.
