Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA, a fabless semiconductor company with technology in mobile communications and IoT, and Intel Corporation have announced a long-term strategic collaboration on 5G.
The companies plan to develop a 5G smartphone platform for the China market that will feature an Intel 5G modem and will be targeted to coincide with 5G network deployments in 2019.
Integrating Intel's technical expertise in modems with Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA's experience in chipset design, the companies will collaborate on 5G and develop Spreadtrum's first Android-based high-end 5G smartphone solution utilising an Intel modem and Spreadtrum's application processor technology.
This new teamwork on 5G between both parties is a long-term engagement, including a series of product collaborations utilising Intel® XMM™ 8000 series modems in multiple product lines targeting diversified markets.
The collaboration also marked the kick-off of the "5G Global Leading Strategy" of Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA. The company will continue increasing all-round investment in 5G technology, aiming to be one of the world's leading 5G chipset brands. Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA plans to launch its first 5G commercial mobile platform in the second half of 2019.
"Undoubtedly, China will be an important market at the forefront of 5G. Together with Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA, Intel looks forward to making the 5G smartphone experience a compelling reality for consumers in China," said Chenwei Yan, Vice President, Client Computing Group and General Manager, Connected Products and Programs at Intel. "Intel is working with industry partners and network operators to accelerate 5G technology innovation across network, client and cloud. Through this effort, we will bring our modem expertise from years of research and development in driving standards, conducting trials, and building platforms to create a seamlessly connected, powerfully smart 5G future."
In 2014, Intel announced a minority stake investment in the holding company Tsinghua Unigroup, which owns Spreadtrum Communications & RDA Microelectronics.
