Learn 5G Technology behind the Killing of the Deal between Qualcomm and Broadcom

5G Technology behind the Killing of the Deal between Qualcomm and Broadcom

Last Updated: March 16, 2018

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Earlier this week, the president issued an executive order killing the prospective merger between Broadcom and mobile chipmaker, Qualcomm. The reason behind this move relates to fostering the growth of 5G technology across the country. National security concerns also lie at the heart of the decision.

The Qualcomm logo. Image copyright Qualcomm.

News about the blocked Qualcomm purchase appeared this week in CNET among other sources. Let’s look at the details to see if it influences when 5G wireless technology arrives in your city.

Protecting US 5G Technology Innovation

President Trump’s decision follows a report from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS). Their government analysis stated the Singapore-based Broadcom buying the American Qualcomm puts us at risk regarding mobile 5G technology. The country obviously places much importance in the growth of 5G over the next decade.

While 5G networks offer the potential for faster mobile wireless voice and Internet service, it also lies at the heart of innovations in self-driving cars, remote surgery, and more. In short, Qualcomm’s technology is important to the country in a myriad of ways.

The company remains the world’s leading manufacturer of the chips used in mobile phones as well as 4G LTE tech. They are currently investing in the research of 5G networking. Qualcomm’s R&D work puts it ahead of other foreign technology firms.

The Future of Mobile 5G gets closer

These other countries, however, are upping their games when it comes to 5G research. Just last week, we reported on the Chinese phone-maker, Huawei, and their recent 5G smartphone announcement at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Additionally, the CFIUS report mentioned Huawei by name.

American microprocessor technology giant, Intel, previously tried to buy Qualcomm. The blocking of the Broadcom purchase attempt by the U.S. Government might lead to Intel taking another shot. AT&T, Verizon, and other mobile technology firms rely on Qualcomm‘s work, making them attractive to Intel.

If anything, this presidential executive order dovetails nicely with their plans to build a federal 5G network that we reported on earlier. Letting Qualcomm innovate appears to be the ultimate goal.

With AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile all announcing 5G wireless networks by the end of this year, it is obvious this new age of wireless mobile technology is reaching a critical mass. The benefits go beyond faster mobile Internet access. Expect to read more about the continued adoption of 5G here at Bandwidth Place as it happens.

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Learn 5G Technology behind the Killing of the Deal between Qualcomm and Broadcom

AT&T announces First Cities to receive Mobile 5G

Last Updated: February 23, 2018

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The commercial rollout of mobile 5G wireless service continues to become a reality. This week, AT&T stepped up to plate by naming three of the first 12 cities to receive its 5G wireless service. We previously reported on the telecommunications giant’s 5G trials taking place in Waco, Texas.

News about the cities scheduled to receive AT&T mobile 5G appeared Wednesday in TechCrunch among other sources. Read further to see if the next level of wireless Internet service is slated to arrive in your location.

AT&T Mobile 5G headed for Texas and Atlanta

Not surprisingly considering the current trials, Waco tops the AT&T list of the cities slated to receive mobile 5G. Dallas also made the top three, leaving Houston and San Antonio out for the time being. The company named Atlanta as the other city in this week’s announcement.

Since AT&T plans on rolling out mobile 5G to 12 cities by the end of this year, expect the other nine locations to be named shortly. This initial rollout uses the 3GPP standard; operating on the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. In addition to faster Internet speed, the 5G technology boasts smaller latency, making the wireless tech useful for home automation and online gaming applications.

Igal Elbaz, SVP of Wireless Network Architecture and Design at AT&T, commented on the upcoming rollout. “After significantly contributing to the first phase of 5G standards, conducting multi-city trials, and literally transforming our network for the future, we’re planning to be the first carrier to deliver standards-based mobile 5G — and do it much sooner than most people thought possible,” said Elbaz.

What about 5G Smartphones and Tablets?

As TechCrunch notes, the appearance of 5G wireless service predates the availability of smartphones able to take advantage of the new technology. With the Mobile World Congress on the docket for next week, expect some 5G product announcements. Still, limited network availability probably hampers customer interest until 2019 and beyond.

Expect additional coverage on any news about new 5G smartphones over the next few weeks. Also, stay tuned for AT&T’s announcement about the other nine cities to receive mobile 5G this year. Of course, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and Sprint probably have similar announcements planned for sometime in 2018.

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Learn 5G Technology behind the Killing of the Deal between Qualcomm and Broadcom

AT&T bringing Mobile 5G Service to the Marketplace

Last Updated: January 5, 2018

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Armed with a new set of radio standards from the regulatory body, 3GPP, AT&T recently announced plans on rolling out mobile 5G wireless service to 12 American markets in 2018. This news comes hot on the heels of their fixed 5G trials in Waco, Texas. ZDNet – among other sources – published this story earlier this week.

So let’s take a closer look at the details of the AT&T announcement. Is mobile 5G coming to your city in 2018?

New 5G Radio Standards the Key to Faster Mobile Rollout

The fresh 3GPP radio standard for 5G is leading to faster deployment of the new wireless technology on a global basis. The standards group tweeted the good news in late December. “NSA 5G NR specs were approved today at RAN#78. Balazs Bertenyi, RAN chair, called it ‘an impressive achievement in a remarkably short time, with credit due particularly to the working groups’,” said their tweet.

A joint media release from practically every large telecommunications company in the world offered a hint at the future. “This standard completion is an essential milestone to enable cost-effective and full-scale development of 5G NR (New Radio), which will greatly enhance the capabilities of 3GPP systems, as well as facilitate the creation of vertical market opportunities,” the statement said.

Most notably, 3GPP introduced these new standards six months earlier than expected. This likely led to AT&T’s faster schedule for its own mobile 5G rollout.

AT&T’s Plans for 5G Wireless in 2018

Stating their 5G rollout plans for 2018 are ambitious, AT&T realizes the transformational potential provided by this new wireless technology. “With faster speeds and ultra-low latency, 5G will ultimately deliver and enhance experiences like virtual reality, future driverless cars, immersive 4K video, and more,” said the company’s president of Technology and Operations, Melissa Arnoldi.

AT&T’s 5G Evolution network technology is already installed in 23 markets all across the country. They expect to bring it to hundreds of new American markets this year. This state of the art network backbone is a predecessor for installing the mobile 5G service.

AT&T remains tightlipped about the 12 markets slated to receive mobile 5G in the coming year. The markets currently with the Evolution network tech in place include Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco, San Diego, Louisville, Nashville, and Pittsburgh, among others. With many more locales on the docket for 2018, predicting those “lucky 12” remains difficult.

So, stay tuned to Bandwidth Place, as we cover the emergence of 5G from AT&T, Verizon, and others.