Intel and Qualcomm will provide 5G modules for M.2 slots

Intel partner Fibocom announced the launch of an M.2 module with an Intel XMM8160 5G modem for CPE and upcoming PCs and laptops. During the Mobile World Congress, we saw this M.2 module at the Fibocom booth, but to our surprise, we also saw a similar Qualcomm X55 modem M.2 module at the Qualcomm booth.

These modules meet the widest M.2 standard and are 30mm wide, 8mm wider than the storage drives we typically see in this form factor. A list of specifications for the Fibocom booth confirms that the module supports both SA and NSA networks, while covering 5G and below 6GHz in the millimeter wave band.

The device will support 2x2 MIMO, 4x2 MIMO and 4x4 MIMO mode downloads, but only supports 2x2 MIMO uploads. The 4x4 MIMO download mode is only available for the 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 25, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, n77, n78, n79 bands. The device also supports GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and Galileo navigation systems. The driver will support Windows 10 and Linux operating systems.

For the overall peak, the module supports 2.4 Gbps LTE, up to 6 Gbps download speeds in 4 Gbps sub-6 and mmWave. The module will support 450 Mbps upload speed on LTE, 2.5 Gbps upload speed on sub-6, and 3.0 Gbps upload speed on mmWave.

In contrast, Qualcomm's X55 modem module is a bit different. Although it is a 30mm wide module, Qualcomm seems to have several partners that will produce these modules according to customer specific requirements. For example, Telit has two modules, FM980 and FM980M, which are different in size. Quectel also has its own module, which uses BGA packets.