Intel says its XMM 7560 modem chip with support for CDMA networks is now in trial and mass production, while its XMM 8060 5G offering will be available in 2019
Context & Ripple Effects
Intel first unveiled the XMM 7560 in early 2017 as a gigabit LTE modem, and the newsworthy detail then was CDMA support — the standard still used by major US carriers and historically Qualcomm's home turf. Today's report moves that chip from spec sheet to trial and mass production, meaning Intel can now ship a second-source LTE modem compatible with every US network type.
The competitive frame was set back in October 2016, when Qualcomm announced its X50 5G modem targeting products in 2018. Intel's answer — the XMM 8060, promised for 2019 — keeps it one step behind on 5G timing but now matches Qualcomm on LTE coverage, which is where current device volumes actually are.
First-order effects
- Smartphone makers gain a credible second source for flagship LTE modems with full US carrier compatibility, ending effective single-sourcing from Qualcomm on CDMA networks.
- Intel transitions the XMM 7560 from design win to revenue-bearing silicon, with the XMM 8060 5G part slotted for 2019 availability.
Second-order effects
- Qualcomm faces margin and pricing pressure on its modem franchise as Intel's CDMA-capable parts remove the compatibility argument for sticking with a sole supplier.
- The 5G timeline race intensifies: within months Intel pulled its successor XMM 8160 forward six months to H2 2019, a direct response to Qualcomm's earlier X50 cadence.
Third-order effects
- If the pattern holds, cellular basebands shift from a Qualcomm-led market to a multi-vendor race — MediaTek's later entry with the mmWave Helio M80 shows the 5G transition lowering barriers for additional merchant modem suppliers.
The trend: Cellular modem supply is moving from Qualcomm dominance toward a multi-vendor 5G race, with each vendor's roadmap announcements functioning as competitive positioning rather than mere product updates.