Viettel first onboard with Qualcomm’s 6G Early Access programme

Details: John Tanner; Category: Wireless Networks; 24 July 2026; 713 views

Vietnamese telco Viettel says it has become Qualcomm's first global partner for its in 6G Early Access programme, which it says expands its collaboration with the company across 6G, AI, data centre technologies, and advanced digital products.

Under the deal signed earlier this week, Viettel’s R&D arm, Viettel High Tech, will gain early access to Qualcomm's 6G chipsets, technology platforms, development tools, and dedicated engineering support.

Qualcomm will provide early platform access, technical expertise, and advanced testing methodologies, while Viettel will research, evaluate, test, and integrate these technologies into its network infrastructure and self-developed devices.

The two companies also aim to achieve the first pre-commercial 6G call by early 2029 using a complete network system and devices researched, developed, and manufactured by Viettel.

The deal follows Viettel’s move at MWC 2026 in March to join Qualcomm’s new 6G industry coalition to establish a clear, milestone-driven roadmap to deliver commercial 6G systems starting in 2029. Viettel said at the time it would follow the coalition roadmap as it accelerates the R&D and commercialization of its proprietary 6G technology.

Viettel also signed other 6G agreements at MWC with Intel, AMD and ID Quantique.

In a LinkedIn post, Viettel noted that its status as the first global participant in the 6G Early Access Program marks the first time Qualcomm has kicked off such an initiative with a Vietnamese technology company, rather than one from established innovation hubs like the US and South Korea.

Viettel said this highlights Vietnam's increasingly important role in the development of next-generation wireless technologies.