Far EasTone, Intel Taiwan ink deal to jointly research 5G projects

Taipei, Nov. 2 (CNA) Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. announced the signing of an agreement with Intel Taiwan Wednesday to jointly research 5G open virtualized radio access networks (ORAN), computer vision, and private cellular networks.

In a statement, Far EasTone said the two companies would pool their 5G know-how to boost network capacity and offer better user experiences for individual and corporate clients.

According to Far EasTone, ORAN-related research under the agreement will involve developing plans to enable access to experimental networks and sharing testing systems, software and hardware.

The Taipei-headquartered telecommunications firm added that Intel would provide access to its Intel Smart Edge Open software toolkit for the project.

Far EasTone said it would also employ Intel's Early Access Program to incorporate computer vision in "smart" city and transportation applications.

Meanwhile, the two companies will work to incorporate their most advanced technology into digital health, "smart" manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 to drive industrial upgrades in Taiwan, according to Far EasTone.

Far EasTone President Chee Ching (井琪) said the firm had long endeavored to integrate and employ technologies central to 5G, including big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Grace Wang (汪佳慧), vice president of Intel Taiwan Sales and Marketing Group, said Intel's Early Access Program would allow Far EasTone to develop edge computing and other internet applications.

Under the agreement, Intel Taiwan will offer access to software such as Intel Geti and Open Vino, Toolkit to help Far EasTone develop solutions for corporations to better adopt computer vision in their day-to-day operations, according to Wang.