MediaTek and Nokia Collaborate to Enable First Wave of 5G Networks and Devices
MediaTek and Nokia have announced plans to collaborate on the design of a next-generation mobile communication system for 5G technology.
The partnership bridges MediaTek’s broad customer base for connected devices with Nokia’s network expertise, to bring to market a 5G-ready ecosystem for network operators and end users.
Both companies are contributing actively to 5G standardization in line with the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The joint effort will develop a standards-compliant pre-commercial platform for 5G New Radio communications technology beginning 2018. The end goal is to roll-out a 5G-ready network from Nokia combined with a 5G system-on-chip (SoC) from MediaTek to bring new devices to market faster, and usher in the next wave of mobile innovation made possible by 5G.
“Further advancement of 5G requires strategic collaboration to join connected devices of the future with a network equipped to deliver the full potential of 5G,” said Kevin Jou, MediaTek’s Senior Corporate Vice President and CTO. “Working with Nokia, we are bringing mobile operators the end-to-end solutions they need to accelerate adoption of 5G and to ensure a cohesive, fully functional experience across devices and the network.”
Read: AT&T partners with Ericsson and Intel to begin First 5G trials this year
The two companies will work to ensure all aspects of the network and the chipset inside devices are tightly integrated to fully deliver to consumers and industry the promise of 5G. MediaTek’s chipset will be optimized around the modem, radio, data processing and across applications like multimedia that can benefit from 5G performance.
“Our concerted drive toward 5G, the next frontier in communications technology, is the latest example of a tight collaboration we have established with MediaTek over the past years,” said Harold Graham, Head of 5G Business Line at Nokia. “Together with MediaTek, we are going to be faster in connecting people and things with the next wave of wireless technology.”
Read: Nokia outlines plans to seize new opportunities in 5G and IoT
Today, MediaTek powers more than 35 percent of the world’s smart devices and remains a longtime partner to mobile operators around the world, helping to navigate industry changes and continuing to deliver high-value experiences. MediaTek enables more than 1.5 billion connected devices a year worldwide and is a category leader in five key areas including connected TV and tablets.
