Qualcomm builds success with Vietnam business partnerships

Collaboration is the cornerstone of Qualcomm Technologies’ growth and success, and the technology company has formed close relationships with its Vietnamese counterparts. Last November, Viettel announced the commercial launch of its Open RAN (O-RAN) 5G Network, utilising Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G RAN platforms. The commercial O-RAN deployment stems from a successful collaboration announced in May 2022 when Viettel announced Qualcomm Technologies as its partner.

The launch was the culmination of a collaboration between two companies that went beyond supplier and customer. For Viettel, which operates a mobile wireless service and builds networking equipment, the collaboration helped burnish its reputation as a global leader in telecommunications and set it up for expansion overseas. For Qualcomm Technologies, it represented the first O-RAN network running on its 5G RAN platforms.

Qualcomm partners with Viettel. Photo: Qualcomm

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Viettel on the launch of the first commercial O-RAN network utilising Qualcomm Technologies’ cutting-edge 5G RAN solutions,” said Durga Malladi, senior vice president and general manager of technology planning and edge solutions at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This milestone underscores our commitment to driving innovation in the telecommunications industry and enabling operators to deliver enhanced 5G experiences. By leveraging advanced technology, Qualcomm Technologies and Viettel are empowering greater network flexibility, efficiency, and performance, ultimately transforming the way people connect and communicate.”

Another mobile network operator, VNPT, has also formed a strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies. In October, VNPT launched a new generation internet service provider integrating advanced WiFi 7 technology (XGS-PON WiFi 7), and became the first network operator in Vietnam deploying this breakthrough technology with Qualcomm 10G Fiber.

Qualcomm partners with VNPT. Photo: Qualcomm

Ganesh Swaminathan, vice president and general manager of wireless infrastructure and networks at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said, "We are excited to partner with VNPT to launch the first customer home internet service provider, XGS-PON WiFi 7, in Vietnam using our Qualcomm 10G Fiber Gateway platform. This collaboration underscores our commitment to pushing the boundaries of broadband technology and providing great internet experiences. With the advanced capabilities of WiFi 7, customers in Vietnam will benefit from faster internet speeds, lower latency, and enhanced network reliability, setting a new standard for connectivity."

Elsewhere, VinAI has successfully integrated the smart mobility solutions, including Driver & Occupants Monitoring Systems and Advanced Driver Monitoring System, leveraging the Snapdragon Cockpit platform from Qualcomm Technologies. The platform enables smart, responsive vehicle control with AI-driven assistance, real-time data processing, and enhanced driver monitoring. The platform makes it easy for VinAI to integrate the in-vehicle infotainment system, giving the company an edge over its rivalries.

As the Vietnamese government is accelerating its digital transformation agenda towards a digital economy, Qualcomm Technologies is committed to helping Vietnam transform. The company has led a number of initiatives to foster digital savvy businesses in Vietnam. One of the most notable initiatives is the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QIVC) which is aimed at spurring the development of Vietnam’s emerging technology ecosystem.

Through the use of Qualcomm Technologies' state-of-the-art mobile platforms and technologies, QIVC identifies and nurtures creative small- and medium-sized businesses that are developing products in key technology areas like AI, 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and drones, smart cities, wearable technology, and multimedia.

Qualcomm QVIC 2024. Photo: Qualcomm

Since its inception four years ago, the QVIC has made a contribution to advancing Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem by creating a favourable environment for tech talents and home-grown startups to receive training, gain experience, and engage in solving global challenges. At QVIC 2024 in August, Vbee - Conversational AI platform, HSPTek - Anti-static real-time monitoring wearable device, and Met EV -Affordable smart E2W with an AI-powered battery swapping solution were named as the top three finalists, with awards of $100,000, $75,000, and $50,000, respectively.

In October, six startups backed by Qualcomm Technologies had the chance to showcase their innovative solutions for 5G, AI, IoT, and robotics at Qualcomm Technologies' booth at Innovate Vietnam 2024. The event was a platform for startups to introduce products to potential customers and connect with partners. By improving startups’ opportunities through its unique expertise, Qualcomm Technologies reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the local technology ecosystem.

Becky Fraser, vice president of global government affairs at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said, “We honour Vietnam’s startup ecosystem and the meaningful contributions of local firms to accelerate the digital transformation journey. When we enter the era of 5G and AI, every industry will benefit, drive innovation, and create sustainable economies.”

Future plans

Looking forward to 2025, Qualcomm will continue to support Vietnam in the nationwide 5G rollout with home-grown 5G Open RAN Technology. The company will also support Vietnamese partners to export "Made in Vietnam" 5G products to the global market.

Nam Thieu, country director of Qualcomm Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, told VIR, “As Vietnam is building out AI infrastructure, we are working with the country's AI ecosystem such as system integrators, software independence vendors, and cloud data centre services providers to bring Qualcomm Hybrid AI solutions, AI PC powered by the Snapdragon X series to enterprises and consumers in Vietnam.”

“Our AI solutions will help reduce the cost of implementing AI by 30 per cent. We will work with AI software developers to optimise Vietnamese GenAI models to run more efficiently on Snapdragon-powered devices leveraging our AI Hub platform,” he added.

Qualcomm's Industry IoT Technologies are helping to transform the business of big corporations around the world. It is excited to work with its partners in Vietnam to deploy Qualcomm end-to-end industrial IoT solutions in enterprises to accelerate the digital transformation journey, especially in the manufacturing, smart city, and urban planning, and development sectors.

“We will continue to support Vietnam's tech startup community with the QVIC programme in 2025. The 2025 cohort is already open to applications, and we are excited to work with Vietnamese companies to turn their ideas into commercialisation. The programme is in its fifth year and is a testament of Qualcomm's long-term commitment to Vietnam,” he noted.

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