Intel: 5G Plans 'Have Not Changed'

Intel remains on track in its efforts to develop technologies to help serve as the backbone for high-speed 5G internet, the company said.

An incorrect report on tech news site CTech prompted a statement from Intel Thursday about the status of the 5G efforts at the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company.

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"Intel's 5G customer engagements and road map have not changed for 2018 through 2020," Intel said in the statement, provided to CRN. "We remain committed to our 5G plans and projects."

In a recent interview with CRN, Intel U.S. channel chief Jason Kimrey said he fully expects 5G to "become pervasive in all the new devices" down the road.

"5G, I think right now, is about building the infrastructure to enable it," Kimrey said. "So right now, I think we see a lot of that opportunity in working with the carriers and kind of building out the infrastructure to make it ubiquitous."

However, he said, "right now the only way we handle the amount of data that's going to be coming online in the next five years [is that] we have to have a network that has more capability than what's out there today, so that's why 5G is so important."

On its website, Intel said its work in 5G spans across networking, cloud and devices. The company said it is "bringing together wireless, computing, and the cloud for a seamlessly connected, powerfully smart future."

"Across the globe, we're bringing 5G out of the lab and into the field, collaborating with partners across industries to develop and test 5G technologies and prototypes, while breaking through technological barriers to achieve the record-setting 'firsts' that will accelerate commercial deployment," Intel said. "At the same time, we're innovating rapidly to build the 5G silicon solutions today that will enable the next generation of phones, PC's, cars, and more."

CTech reported Thursday that Apple is halting plans to use Intel Sunny Peak modems in 2020 iPhone models. CTech incorrectly reported that Sunny Peak modems will include 5G capabilities, and the report was later amended to correct the error. Intel did not comment on the overall status of Sunny Peak, which reportedly also includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.