Qualcomm, Intel Unveil LTE Modems Which Will Provide Download Speeds Over 1Gbps

While the hype for next-gen 5G connectivity is getting on the nerves of tech fans from all around, the chip makers are still innovating things to revitalize the existing 4G LTE technologies with newly driven advancements. The most recent additions in this context come directly from the house of rival chip manufacturers Qualcomm and Intel. Just ahead of Mobile World Congress 2017, both the tech giants announced their next set of modems for smartphones which they claimed to be exceeding the actual "Gigabit LTE" speeds, that is reaching higher than 1 Gbps.

According to MacRumors, Qualcomm notified the official announcement of its latest Snapdragon X20 modem which would support Category 18 download speeds up to an unbelievable hike of 1.2 Gbps also delivering Category 13 upload speeds of up to 150 Mbps.

On papers, this is the fastest modem ever possible on LTE network for smartphones. However, the actual body is still far away from its debut. The company stated that the first instances of this modem are expected to be launched by the end of the first half of 2018. Furthermore, Qualcomm declared that Snapdragon X20 modem will be able to streamline such speed by more number of LTE Carrier aggregation.

As per another report by Android Authority, Qualcomm's potential competitor Intel is also not willing to stay behind in this race. The company also managed to announce its very own set of LTE modem which will be exceeding the speed rate of 1Gbps. To beat Qualcomm's Gigabit hitting challenge, Intel announced XMM 7560 modem which supports LTE Advanced Pro.

As per the company's briefing, the modem would streamline up to Category 16 download speeds, which exceeds 1 Gbps rate, coupled with Category 13 ranged upload speeds of up to 225 Mbps. The speed hike will only be possible with LTE carrier aggregation as mentioned in the case of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X20 modem.

However, Qualcomm may seem to be beating Intel in this competition on papers. But the reality check is still left to be made which would be only possible after Intel's sampling of XMM 7560 modem some time before the end of 2017.