Viettel partners with Qualcomm to launch first 6G research program

Vietnam's military‑run telecom group Viettel has signed the Qualcomm Technologies 6G Platform Early Access Program, becoming the first global partner in the initiative. The agreement calls for joint research, design, development and production of 6G base‑station equipment, with Viettel handling all stages from concept to trial and Qualcomm supplying the chipset platform.

Viettel aims to demonstrate a pre‑commercial 6G voice call by early 2029 using hardware it designs and manufactures itself. The deal was signed by Viettel High‑Tech CEO Nguyễn Minh Quang and Qualcomm executive Durga Malladi, while Viettel Chairman Tào Đức Thắng stressed the company's goal of mastering the entire technology chain from research to commercial rollout.