The microprocessors running most modern smartphones are based on the designs of Arm Holdings but future networks may empower a much cheaper kind of mobile device. Arm wants to get in on that market, too, with a new design line dubbed Neoverse.

The strategy is based on the arrival of much faster 5G wireless technology over the next few years. The new networks will be so fast and responsive that consumers won’t have to rely as much on their phones for storing media and for powerful calculating and data crunching functions. Carriers like Verizon(VZ, +0.00%) and AT&T (T, +0.25%) say they will be building thousands of mini-data centers throughout their networks to offload much of the computing power, reducing the cost and complexity of phones. The 5G networks are also expected to link up many more smart, connected devices as well as self-driving cars and automated drones. And Arm, a unit of SoftBank Group, says that entire budding infrastructure is the target for its Neoverse line.​

Seeing the carriers’ plans, Arm decided “let’s increase the investment and build a specific product line and architectural designs for that particular area,” Drew Henry, senior vice president at Arm, tells Fortune. Henry, who worked previously at Nvidia and Sandisk, said he joined Arm last year specifically to attack this new market segment.