Viettel to accelerate 6G development, commercialization by 2029

Viettel Group, a military-run telecom and technology group in Vietnam, said at MWC Barcelona 2026 it will fast-track 6G research, development, and commercialization to introduce Vietnam-made 6G products to the global market from 2029.

The company confirmed it will join a global strategic alliance initiated by Qualcomm Technologies Inc. to accelerate the development and deployment of 6G worldwide, pursue 6G architecture research, conduct early trials of pre-commercial systems and devices by 2028, and contribute to international standard-setting efforts.

Viettel described 6G as an AI-native system built on three pillars: advanced connectivity, large-scale sensing capabilities, and high-performance computing.

The group signed a memorandum of understanding with Qualcomm Technologies Inc. to jointly develop and commercialize AI-integrated smart mobile devices, with Qualcomm providing or licensing reference designs and technical support, and Viettel developing, manufacturing, and commercializing the devices while integrating its self-developed Agentic AI software ecosystem.

Alkash Palkhiwala, chief financial officer and chief operating officer of Qualcomm, said the company views the cooperation as a long-term commitment.

At MWC, Viettel showcased 24 technology products and highlighted its pioneering work on 5G Open RAN deployments.

🔗 Source: Vietnam News

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Viettel’s 6G ambition is built on a proven 5G foundation

In Vietnam, Viettel said it beat its pledge to build 20,000 new 5G sites before the end of 2025. State media reports said it reached 10 million 5G subscribers by October 2025 and was on track for 12 million by the end of 2025 1.
Its R&D unit, Viettel High Tech, builds in-house 5G parts. These include gNodeB base stations (5G radio base stations), a 5GC (5G Core) core network system, and a 5G DFE (digital front-end) chipset 1.
Outside Vietnam, Viettel High Tech said at MWC 2025 that it will start a 5G equipment trial with Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du). The work, with partner High Cloud Technologies, covers deployment, testing, and commercial rollout across the Middle East, starting in the UAE 2.
The trial follows an earlier step. Viettel announced a commercial Open RAN (O-RAN) 5G network, an “open” approach that lets operators mix radio network equipment from different vendors, using Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G RAN (radio access network) platforms, with more than 300 sites planned by Q1 2025 3.

A state-owned telco is becoming a global tech supplier

Viettel’s Qualcomm partnership signals a move by state-owned telecom operators away from the usual path of buying gear from vendors such as Ericsson and Nokia 1.
Viettel is developing its own 5G equipment and accelerating 6G research, development, and commercialisation. It also plans to bring Vietnam-made 6G products to global markets from 2029, plus it signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Qualcomm Technologies Inc. on AI-integrated smart mobile devices 4.
That mix offers another option for countries that want to limit dependence on Western or Chinese technology suppliers.
AI device co-development also points to a push beyond network infrastructure into consumer electronics and software, where established device makers already compete.