Qualcomm used its 5G Summit to unveil several significant announcements about next-generation architectures and new partnerships, focusing on IoT security, fixed wireless access, and expanded OEM adoption of its 5G technologies.
The company revealed it is developing its first cellular chipset that is optimized and certified for Microsoft’s Azure Sphere IoT operating system. This chipset will ship preconfigured with the Azure Sphere platform, incorporate hardware-level security features, and be designed to automatically connect to Azure Sphere security cloud services.
Galen Hunt, engineering lead and managing director for Microsoft Azure Sphere, emphasized the importance of security for dependable IoT: “For IoT innovations to be reliable, they must be built on a foundation of security. Qualcomm Technologies will allow partners to innovate with the assurance that their products, customers, and brands are secured. The new IoT chipset will enable a wide range of edge scenarios, including those with very limited resources.”
He added that Qualcomm’s silicon design and expertise in cellular and embedded security will give partners the freedom to connect devices securely, anytime and anywhere.
Qualcomm also introduced a new reference design for 5G-based fixed wireless access (FWA) home gateways. The turnkey reference integrates the company’s latest connectivity components, such as the second-generation Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System and the Qualcomm Networking Pro 1200 platform for high-performance Wi‑Fi 6 networking, along with additional advanced gateway features.
This reference design aims to help broadband carriers, ISPs, and OEMs accelerate the development and deployment of all-wireless home internet solutions. By combining Qualcomm’s 5G cellular and Wi‑Fi 6 home networking technologies, the solution offers a plug-and-play alternative to DSL, cable, and fiber, enabling multi-gigabit home broadband without lengthy wired installations.
The company further announced that its Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System has been selected by more than 30 global OEMs for commercial 5G FWA customer-premises equipment (CPE). The Snapdragon X55 simplifies product development across mobile broadband categories, supporting sub-6 GHz, mmWave, and extended-range mmWave CPE devices. This flexibility helps OEMs manage wireless complexity while offering a diverse product portfolio to their customers.
Qualcomm named the OEMs and solution providers adopting the Snapdragon X55, including: Arcadyan, Askey, AVM, Casa Systems, Compal, Cradlepoint, Fibocom, FIH, Franklin, Gemtek, Gongjin, Gosuncn Technology Group, Inseego, LG, Linksys, MeiG, NETGEAR, Nokia, OPPO, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Quanta, Quectel, Sagemcom, Samsung Electronics, Sharp Corporation, Sercomm, Sierra Wireless, Sunsea, Technicolor, Telit, Wewins, Wingtech, WNC, and ZTE.
Together, these announcements highlight Qualcomm’s push to secure the growing edge of connected devices and to accelerate the transition to high-performance wireless home broadband. By combining certified IoT security with robust 5G and Wi‑Fi 6 reference designs, Qualcomm intends to empower device makers and service providers to deliver secure, high-speed connectivity across a wide range of consumer and industrial scenarios.