Qualcomm: Gradually achieve 6G commercialization starting from 2029

Shanghai Securities News China Securities Network News (Reporter Dou Shiping): Qualcomm Technologies announced on March 2 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) that it has established a new development alliance with industry-leading partners including Airtel, Amazon, ASUS, UK Telecom Group, Cisco, and Dell to jointly promote the development and global deployment of 6G, aiming to gradually deliver commercial 6G systems starting from 2029.

“6G is not only the next step in wireless communication evolution but also the foundation for an AI-native future. It will distribute intelligence across terminals, edges, and the cloud, accelerating the transformation of network operators into AI-driven enterprises,” said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm.

The 6G system will bring higher levels of efficiency and performance to telecom applications, next-generation consumer and enterprise terminals with intelligent capabilities, and new AI-enabled services. These services include context-aware data, low-altitude airspace and ground traffic management, large-scale data insights and analysis, and more. Industry experts believe that 6G presents a generational opportunity, driving transformation and growth in the telecom industry through the integration of wireless communication, efficient computing, and AI.

Amon stated that Qualcomm has played a leading role in multiple generations of global wireless communication innovation and possesses deep technical expertise and capabilities in 6G development and commercialization. Like previous wireless technology evolutions, the success of 6G depends on solid and ongoing partnerships, shared goals, and joint innovation. These industry leaders are working together to increase investment and collaborate on innovation for the shared vision of 6G, aiming for deployment starting in 2029.

6G is designed as an AI-native system built on three core technological pillars: connectivity, wide-area sensing, and high-performance computing. The next-generation network will feature a range of new and advanced capabilities, including integrated wide-area sensing intelligent radios, virtualized and Cloud RAN with high performance and energy efficiency, AI-based self-organizing network capabilities, and edge and centralized data centers for new AI workloads.

The collaboration focuses on three core architectural areas: terminals, networks, and cloud infrastructure. Participating companies have reached consensus on common goals, committed to making 6G an intelligent, AI-native terminal and network platform.

This includes promoting the timely development of key 6G standards, conducting early system validation, and aiming to demonstrate pre-commercial terminals and networks compliant with 6G standards by 2028. It also involves establishing a unified industry benchmark for 6G readiness and initiating the initial deployment of global, interoperable commercial 6G systems starting in 2029. Additionally, members will explore new business models to promote 6G adoption and create value across the entire 6G ecosystem.