Intel, Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA Announce 5G Strategic Collaboration

As a core subsidiary of Tsinghua Unigroup, Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA - a fabless semiconductor company with advanced technology in mobile communications and IoT, and Intel Corporation are engaged in a long-term strategic collaboration on 5G.

The companies plan to develop a 5G smartphone platform for the China market that will feature an Intel 5G modem and will be targeted to coincide with 5G network deployments in 2019.

Integrating Intel's strong technical expertise in modems with Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA’s solid experience in chipset design, the companies will collaborate on 5G and develop Spreadtrum’s first Android-based high-end 5G smartphone solution utilizing an Intel modem and Spreadtrum’s application processor technology.

“We are very excited to collaborate with Intel to build a leading 5G mobile platform. Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA and Intel share the vision on transforming the mobile communication industry in the 5G era through technological innovation and innovation-driven revolution,” said Jingming Wang, Vice President of Tsinghua Unigroup and COO of Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA. “Drawing on the strong potential for global industry development and Intel's profound technology experience, Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA will persist on cultivating the 5G market and setting ourselves as a leading Chinese 5G high-end chipset brand.”

“Undoubtedly, China will be an important market at the forefront of 5G. Together with Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA, Intel looks forward to making a 5G smartphone experience a compelling reality for consumers in China,” said Chenwei Yan, Vice President, Client Computing Group and General Manager, Connected Products and Programs at Intel. “Intel is working with industry partners and network operators to accelerate 5G technology innovation across network, client and cloud. Through this effort, we will bring our modem expertise from years of research and development in driving standards, conducting trials, and building platforms to create a seamlessly connected, powerfully smart 5G future.”

This new collaboration on 5G between both parties is a long-term engagement including a series of product collaborations utilizing Intel® XMM™ 8000 series modems in multiple product lines targeting diversified markets.

The collaboration also marked the kick-off of “5G Global Leading Strategy” of Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA. The company will continue increasing all-round investment in 5G technology aiming to be one of the world's leading 5G chipset brands. Based on the positive industry outlook and strong confidence in its 5G R&D process, Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA plans to launch its first 5G commercial mobile platform in the second half of 2019.

In 2014, Intel announced a minority stake investment in the holding company under Tsinghua Unigroup, which owns Spreadtrum Communications & RDA Microelectronics. The existing relationship created a solid foundation for mutual trust and set the stage for additional cooperation on 5G.