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The advent of 5G technology, which is 3-4 times faster than 4G, is expected to a be commercial reality in 2019, with initial rollout expected on smartphones and customer premise equipment (CPE). Further, gaining momentum the technology will proliferate into always connected laptops and industrial Internet of Things (IoT).
"5G will be a commercial reality in 2109, with launches in many geographies from the beginning of the year. 5G is the technology to connect everything, every time and we expect a number of generations of Android handsets coming on 5G in 2019," Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon said at the Qualcomm 4G/5G Summit here.
"The first wave of flagship launches are expected by the second quarter of next year," he said, adding a number of companies such as Vodafone, AT&T, Singtel, Verizon and Sprint among others already are working with Qualcomm on the technology.
"We will start with smartphones, always connected laptops and then move other to concepts such as industrial Internet of Things (IoTs). As we head in to 2021-22, 5G will also play a role in unlicensed spectrum," Durga Malladi, Senior Vice President, Engineering and General Manager 4G/5G at Qualcomm said.
The early adopters of the technology would include North America, South Korea, Europe and China, while India and Latin America are expected to follow. However, rollout in India would depend on spectrum allocations. The countries are likely to rollout Sub-6 and millimetre wave (mmWave) standards.
"The device ecosystem is also ready," he added.
Qualcomm is working with Facebook's terragraph technology (for high speed Internet connectivity) and Samsung on small cells, while Qualcomm Technologies and Ericsson completed a 5G New Radio over-the-air call over Sub-6 GHZ bands on a smartphone.
Snapdragon 675
On Tuesday, Qualcomm launched Snapdragon 675 mobile platform, an upgraded version of its earlier launched Snapdragon 670. The new platform offers Improved gaming, artificial intelligence and camera capabilities.
"The Snapdragon 675 plays a primary role in allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to design next generation features with incredible performance into their upcoming smartphones,” said Kedar Kondap, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies.
Qualcomm has announced that it is working with leading original design manufacturers (ODMs) such as Compal Electronics and Longcheer on smartwatches, Huaqin and Thundersoft on 4G kid watches, Franklin Wireless on 4G smart trackers, and Smartcom on 4G connected solutions.
The firm also announced that its Quick Charge technology has been adopted by nearly 1,000 mobile devices and accessories. The technology enables faster charging, improves dual charge and thermal balancing (prevents heating up).
(The reporter is in Hong Kong at the invitation of Qualcomm.)
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