Viettel becomes Qualcomm's first global partner in early 6G platform program

Vietnam's military-run Viettel and Qualcomm Technologies have signed an early access agreement for 6G technology, expanding their cooperation into artificial intelligence, data centers and the development of technology products for global markets.

Under the agreement, Viettel becomes Qualcomm Technologies' first partner worldwide to join its Early Access Program for the 6G platform, allowing the Vietnamese technology giant to begin research and development on the next generation of mobile network technology after mastering 4G and 5G technologies over the past decade.

The two companies aim to complete the first pre-commercial 6G voice call by early 2029 using network infrastructure and equipment researched, developed and manufactured by Viettel, according to a Viettel release on Monday.

Qualcomm's Early Access Program is reserved for selected strategic partners. Viettel is the first company globally to participate in the initiative.

The program will give Viettel early access to Qualcomm's chipset platform and development tools before their commercial release, enabling the company to develop products in parallel with Qualcomm's platform development.

"The arrangement is expected to shorten research timelines and allow Viettel to bring 6G products to market soon after Qualcomm's chipsets become commercially available," the release said.

Qualcomm has historically launched similar strategic technology programs in major innovation hubs such as the United States and South Korea. The inclusion of Vietnam and Viettel in the 6G early access initiative underscores the country's growing role in Qualcomm's strategy for developing next-generation technologies, according to Viettel.

The agreement also broadens cooperation between the two companies beyond Open RAN-based 5G equipment development to include joint research on 6G technologies.

In addition to 6G research, Viettel and Qualcomm agreed to expand the international reach of Viettel's 5G products across Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Qualcomm will help connect Viettel with mobile network operators and global partners, while Viettel will contribute its technology solutions, products and deployment expertise, supporting broader international adoption of telecommunications equipment designed and manufactured in Vietnam.

Headquartered in San Diego, California, Qualcomm is one of the world's leading telecommunications and wireless technology companies, with a market capitalization of approximately $180 billion.