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The
San Diego chip designer is the biggest supplier of modem chips
that connect smart phones and other consumer electronics to
cellular data networks. Qualcomm is aiming to take advantage of
the faster speeds possible with 5G network technology to expand
its footprint in other markets.
The newest chip, called the X65 modem, is Qualcomm's fourth
generation of 5G modem but the first capable of hitting peak
download speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, about 10 times
faster than peaks on previous LTE networks and comparable to
fiber broadband services.
A major focus for the new chip will be commercial and industrial
applications, such as connecting computers and equipment
scattered across corporate campuses directly to cloud computing
services when a traditional WiFi network would not be feasible.
Another will be fixed-wireless internet installations, where 5G
gear replaces a traditional wire-based home or business
broadband internet service.
Cristiano Amon, who will take over as Qualcomm's chief executive
in June, said the networks could offer a faster option for
people who live in neighborhoods where fiber-optic internet
service is not available.
"We now have the technology in place to start thinking about all
those services beyond phones," Amon told reporters.
Amon said the X65 modem will be used in 40 different product
designs for fixed-wireless gear from telecommunications carriers
that will start hitting markets in the second half of 2021.
Fixed-wireless sales will be reported in the company's "internet
of things" revenue in the company's financial results, Amon
said. Revenue from those chips grew 48% to $1 billion during
Qualcomm's fiscal first quarter reported last week.
(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Sonya
Hepinstall)
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