The hundreds of millions of mobile devices that are sold every quarter each contain a wireless communications chip for connecting to carrier networks. Today, Intel Corp. unveiled new products that could help it establish a better position in this massive market.

The first and most interesting chip that the company has previewed is the XMM 8060 modem. Due to launch in mid-2019, it will enable devices to work with future carrier networks based on the 5G wireless connectivity specification. The latter technology, which the likes of AT&T inc. are expected to start deploying in the same year, could support mobile connections up to 10 times faster than today’s latest-generation LTE networks.

But it will take at least several more years for carriers to implement 5G on a large scale. As a result, Intel plans to roll out the XMM 8060 alongside a new LTE model called the XMM 7660.

The chip can provide networking speeds of up to 1.6Gbps while rival Qualcomm Inc.’s newest X20 modem only goes as high as 1.2Gbps. However, there’s a catch. Just like Intel’s upcoming 5G product, the chip is reportedly incompatible with current cellular networks, which will require waiting at least another year for carriers to upgrade their infrastructure.

That’s why the company is lining up a third unit called the XMM 7560 that will start shipping with new devices in 2018. Intel today revealed that since its original debut in February, the modem has been upgraded to support gigabit LTE, a feature already available with Qualcomm chips, and the CMDA technology used in Verizon Communications Inc.’s network.

The introduction of the new chips is made particularly significant by Qualcomm’s ongoing legal battle with Apple Inc. over patent licensing fees. According to a recent report, the mobile giant is considering to drop its modems switch to another supplier. Intel is a likely candidate given that Apple already uses its silicon in some devices.

But Qualcomm isn’t going down without a fight. In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, the company accused Apple of leaking sensitive information about its modems to Intel.

Image: Intel