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> Qualcomm seems the only company I'm able to find that makes lte cat 20 hardware, let alone cat 24. I wonder why. Because Qualcomm is the main supplier of mod
by rickdeckard 3y ago
> Qualcomm seems the only company I'm able to find that makes lte cat 20 hardware, let alone cat 24. I wonder why.
Because Qualcomm is the main supplier of modems for nearly all devices in US, and nearly all flagship devices and LTE-routers globally.
It's nearly impossible to compete with Qualcomm on pure modem-chipset pricing, because:
1) The sheer volume of chipsets they produce
2) The fact that their modem firmware of those few-dollar component is largely validated (and paid for) by Smartphone device manufacturers and carriers when they launch their 800+ USD Premium Smartphones with the same modem.
3) Qualcomm's iron grip of patents and manufacturer contracting practice
Few have tried over the years, including juggernauts like Huawei, Samsung, LG. All failed.
- mschuster91 3y ago> Few have tried over the years, including juggernauts like Huawei, Samsung, LG. All failed. Add on top Apple. The only ones who did succeed are Mediatek with their bottom-of-the-barrel stuff... wonder how that is possible.
- Tostino 3y agoAgain, it's possible because of volume.
- rickdeckard 3y ago> The only ones who did succeed are Mediatek with their bottom-of-the-barrel stuff... wonder how that is possible. I'm not aware of Mediatek competing with LTE modems for routers, not even low-tier. I'm aware they are trying again now with 5G, but also here I'm not seeing big tractions for commercial products... Could you name an example device or chipset of a Mediatek-based LTE-router?
- mschuster91 3y agoThere's the RUT951-LTE [0] with an unspecified Mediatek SoC, and for tablets there's stuff like the mt8735d [1] (e.g. Lenovo Tab [2]). [0] https://teltonika-networks.com/de/products/routers/rut951/ https://teltonika-networks.com/de/products/routers/rut951/ [1] https://www.mediatek.com/products/tablets/mt8735d https://www.mediatek.com/products/tablets/mt8735d [2] https://benchmarks.ul.com/hardware/tablet/Lenovo+Tab+7+Essential+(MT8735D)+review https://benchmarks.ul.com/hardware/tablet/Lenovo+Tab+7+Essen...
- rickdeckard 3y ago- According to the website, RUT951-LTE is based on a MIPS 24kc CPU from Mediatek, which is their major router platform, and does not include an LTE-Modem. It's likely MT7628K [1] - The second example MT8735D is a tablet SoC (not just a modem but also a CPU, GPU, Audio DSP, Camera ISP etc in one package) [1] https://www.mediatek.com/products/home-networking/mt7628k-n-a https://www.mediatek.com/products/home-networking/mt7628k-n-...