Prior to announcing its acquisition by Marvell earlier this month, on April 10, Aquantia (NYSE: AQ), a specialist in semiconductors for enabling multi-gig Ethernet connectivity, announced it is working closely with Qualcomm Technologies to support the design and optimization of next generation 5G NR fixed wireless access broadband equipment for high-speed Internet delivery to the customer premises.
The customer premises equipment (CPE) platform will employ the Aquantia AQtion Multi-Gig Ethernet Controllers AQC107 (10GbE) and AQC111C (5GbE), which can be used in conjunction with the Qualcomm Technologies Snapdragon X55 5G modem with support for both the mmWave and sub-6 GHz spectrum bands. Deployment in the United States is slated for the first half of 2020, and Aquantia has supplied samples of the reference design to early customers.
By creating a wireless service model using 5G NR technology, the companies say the forthcoming CPE platform provides an alternate method to deliver multi-gig Internet service to consumers.
"The CPE platform offers a cost-effective and efficient way to deliver improved Internet service in areas where laying new cables or fiber deployment is not practical," adds a joint press statement, which continues: "The delivery of 5G connectivity into the home, through the AQC107 and AQC111C will enable Internet-connected devices in the home to access rich media applications at lightning-fast speeds. This CPE platform specifically addresses the following concerns: the rise in demand for reliable and ultra-low latency connectivity services; the rapid increase in the development of connected IoT devices; [and] the continuous increase in data traffic."
“Aquantia is very pleased to work with Qualcomm Technologies on this new class of service provider access device,” comments LK Bhupathi, Vice President of Marketing at Aquantia. He adds, “Use of the Snapdragon X55 5G modem with Aquantia’s multi-gig wired backhaul has the potential to create new business models beyond what has traditionally been offered by Internet service providers. More importantly it can also spur the delivery of rich content services such as ultra-high definition video streaming, cloud gaming and virtual reality.”
“We are excited to work with Aquantia, as the use of our 5G connectivity platform with their multi-gig wired backhaul in the connected home and enterprises can help support the growth of connected devices and provide unsurpassed user experience,” concludes Gautam Sheoran, Senior Director, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.