Qualcomm partners with Jio, Airtel, Tejas, Nokia, Ericsson, telcos, automakers for 6G R&D

American chip company Qualcomm has partnered with leading telecom companies and automobile makers, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Ericsson, Nokia, Tejas Networks, Hyundai, SAIC Motor, and Geely Auto, to jointly drive the development of the sixth-generation (6G) technology.

The collaboration focuses on three core architectural domains – devices, networks, and cloud infrastructure.

The companies will drive the timely development of essential 6G standards, early system validation, demonstration of 6G specifications-compliant pre-commercial devices and networks in 2028, establishing a common industry benchmark for 6G readiness, and initial rollout of global and interoperable commercial 6G systems starting from 2029 onwards, Qualcomm said on Monday. Together, the members will also build capabilities for new business models and services to accelerate adoption and create value across the 6G ecosystem, Qualcomm said.

Other supporting telecom companies include Amazon, Asus, BT Group, Cisco, Dell, e&, FPT Corporation, Fujitsu/1finity, Google, HP, HPE, HUMAIN, KDDI, KT, Lenovo, LG Electronics, LG Uplus, Meta, Microsoft, Motorola, NEC Corporation, NTT DOCOMO, Samsung Electronics, Sharp, SK Telecom, Snap, Inc., Stellantis, Swisscom, Telstra, TIM Group, T-Mobile, Viettel Group, VNG, and YTL.

Technology and automobile companies participating in this effort include Alibaba, Aramco, Chery Automobile, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, GWM, Honor, Leap Motor, Li Auto, Oppo, NIO, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Xpeng. “As with every wireless transition, success will depend on strong and dedicated partnerships, shared purpose and joint innovation. This group of industry leaders is making a united commitment to invest and innovate to deliver on a common 6G vision, with the rollout from 2029 onwards,” said Cristiano Amon, president & CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated.Akash Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Jio Infocomm, said, “6G presents a unique opportunity for Jio to accelerate the world in the transition to the next era of wireless connectivity.”

“In collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, we are accelerating 6G innovation to unlock new opportunities across industries, drive digital transformation, and democratise intelligent connectivity globally,” Ambani added.

“6G will transform networks into AI driven platforms, creating new growth opportunities for operators and the broader digital ecosystem. We are excited to work closely with Qualcomm Technologies and the global 6G coalition to help drive early innovation in the next era of wireless technology,” said Gopal Vittal, executive vice chairman, Bharti Airtel.

“Our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies brings together complementary strengths in advanced wireless research and network infrastructure, enabling us to accelerate ecosystem development and help shape globally interoperable, future-ready 6G networks,” said N Ganapathy Subramaniam, chairman, Tejas Networks.