Viettel and Qualcomm Technologies are advancing their collaboration in sixth-generation (6G) telecommunications technology, with plans to conduct their first pre-commercial 6G call in early 2029 using systems and equipment researched, developed, and manufactured by Viettel.
The initiative marks an important step in Viettel’s efforts to develop core telecommunications technologies and strengthen its position in the international wireless technology ecosystem. Building on previous cooperation in 5G Open RAN, the two companies will focus on the research, design, development, integration, and testing of next-generation 6G infrastructure.
VIETTEL JOINS QUALCOMM’S 6G PLATFORM EARLY ACCESS PROGRAM
In July 2026, Viettel announced its participation as the first global partner in Qualcomm Technologies’ 6G Platform Early Access Program, an initiative providing selected strategic partners with early access to 6G chipset platforms and development tools.
Under the collaboration, Qualcomm will provide the underlying chipset technology, while Viettel will lead the research, design, development, system integration, manufacturing, testing, and performance validation of 6G base station equipment.
The companies will also evaluate interoperability between Qualcomm’s technology platforms and Viettel-developed equipment, as well as assess product performance under practical operating conditions.
Early access to these technologies will allow Viettel to advance equipment development alongside Qualcomm’s ongoing platform development, supporting its preparations for future 6G commercialization.
TARGETING THE FIRST PRE-COMMERCIAL 6G CALL IN 2029
A central milestone of the partnership is the planned first pre-commercial 6G call in early 2029, conducted using telecommunications systems and equipment developed and manufactured by Viettel.
The milestone forms part of Viettel’s broader roadmap to manufacture and test 6G equipment on live telecommunications networks between 2028 and 2030.
For Viettel, the objective extends beyond participating in the next generation of wireless connectivity. It reflects a longer-term strategy to develop the engineering and manufacturing capabilities required to create and deploy advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
The proposed 2029 demonstration will be an important opportunity to evaluate Viettel-developed 6G systems as the underlying technologies progress toward commercial maturity.
DEVELOPING AI-NATIVE NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES
Unlike previous network generations focused primarily on improvements in connectivity, 6G is being developed around a broader AI-native architecture.
This emerging approach brings together three areas of technology: advanced wireless connectivity, wide-area sensing, and high-performance computing. Integrating these capabilities is expected to support new types of intelligent network services and applications.
The scope of Viettel’s collaboration with Qualcomm may also extend beyond radio access systems to related technologies, including high-performance computing, data center infrastructure, sensing systems, autonomous AI devices, and next-generation wireless equipment.
These areas reflect the increasing convergence of telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and computing infrastructure in the development of future digital networks.
BUILDING ON ESTABLISHED 5G OPEN RAN COOPERATION
The 6G initiative builds on Viettel and Qualcomm’s existing collaboration in 5G Open RAN research, equipment development, and commercial deployment.
Through this cooperation, Viettel has gained experience integrating chipset technology into telecommunications equipment and deploying developed solutions in operational network environments.
The transition toward 6G creates an opportunity to extend this experience into a new generation of network architecture, where hardware development, software integration, AI capabilities, and interoperability will become increasingly interconnected.
By combining Qualcomm’s semiconductor technology expertise with Viettel’s telecommunications research, engineering, manufacturing, and network deployment experience, the partnership aims to advance the development and validation of practical 6G infrastructure.
STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION
Viettel’s participation in Qualcomm’s 6G Platform Early Access Program reflects its continued investment in telecommunications research and development, as well as its commitment to international technology collaboration.
For Viettel America, the partnership highlights opportunities to connect technology development in Vietnam with the U.S. semiconductor and telecommunications ecosystem.
As the global industry works toward the next generation of wireless networks, collaboration among chipset developers, equipment manufacturers, research organizations, and telecommunications operators will play an important role in translating emerging technologies into deployable infrastructure.
With its planned pre-commercial 6G call in early 2029, Viettel aims to demonstrate the capabilities of Vietnamese-developed telecommunications equipment while contributing to the international development of AI-native wireless networks.
