Partron developing mmWave 5G router for Verizon
Supply to begin in 2nd half at earliest
South Korean component maker Partron was developing mmWave 5G router for US carrier Verizon, TheElec has learned.
The company was preparing to supply the routers, aimed at consumers, to the carrier in the second half of 2021 at the earliest, people familiar with the matter said.
Partron, which as mostly focused on camera modules until now, is hoping the new business related to cellular would lead to new sales.
The company last year had supplied around a hundred mmWave 5G router to South Korean carrier LG Uplus. The fixed routers were used for a private network of a local university.
The router being developed by Partron for Verizon was a portable version aimed at consumers __ conventionally called “egg”. The router converts the 5G cellular signals on the backhaul into Wi-Fi signals that allows devices such as notebooks and smartphones to be connected to the internet.
Verizon CEO Hans Vestsberg has said at CES 2021 earlier this month that it plans to add 28 NFL stadiums that support 5G Ultra Wideband by the end of the year. The carrier calls its mmWave service Ultra Wideband.
Last year in November, the carrier had said 5G Ultra Wideband was available in 57 cities. By the end of 2020, 60 cities would support the band, Verizon said. The carrier said the services offers 4Gbps download speed for movies and TV programs.
The new business by Partron is led by senior managing directory Kim Won-geun. The 42-year-old is the son of company founder, the 72-year-old Kim Jong-gu. The younger Kim was promoted to his post last year and heads planning, B2C and wearables at Partron.
Partron’s 5G router will use Qualcomm’s modem. Last year, the Korean firm announced that it was developing a telecommunication module using Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System. Patron began its cellular business with 5G.