MediaTek announced that it will partner with Japan’s Docomo wireless network to develop the necessary technologies to support 5G devices on DoCoMo’s network by 2020. The company also announced a new collaboration with Orange to integrate its cellular connectivity into IoT-focused chipsets that are sold to developers of IoT products and "connected objects."
MediaTek is one of the major chip makers that Docomo chose as its partner for developing a new 5G air interface and the chipsets that will support 5G wireless connectivity by 2020. The two companies intend to test the technologies indoor and outdoor in 2017, and then start developing the wireless interface and chipsets a year later.
“Docomo is excited to work together with MediaTek to maximize the performance and capacity for new 5G networks,” said Seizo Onoe, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Docomo. “The opportunities for how 5G will enable people and things to connect to each other are endless as 5G technology will drive new innovations and improve the user experience for consumers and businesses alike," he added.
Orange seeks to help professional developers avoid complex arrangements for getting cellular connectivity on their IoT products, which is why it’s working with MediaTek to integrate Orange SIM cards directly into its chipsets.
The professional developers can be anyone from small startups looking for out-of-the-box IoT connectivity for their products, or companies that operate on a much larger scale. The cellular connectivity lasts up to five years, and the cost is included in the price of the chipsets.
The “IoT Booster Programme” is expected to receive access to more services in the future, such as geo-location, device management, data management, and more. The connectivity for these devices will be available on Orange and its roaming partners’ networks in 200 countries.
"We want to accelerate the ecosystem and unleash the potential of IoT to connect a myriad of devices,” said Yves Maitre, Executive VP for Connected Objects and Partnerships, Orange."Our collaboration with MediaTek will combine our network and connectivity with MediaTek chipset expertise to make it easier for our customers to install cellular connectivity into their product line using an off-the-shelf bundle, all for one fixed price," he added.
Lucian Armasu is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware. You can follow him at @lucian_armasu.
