NEW DELHI: Qualcomm Inc., the US-based mobile chipset market leader, is bullish on next generation (5G) technology, and India’s regulatory and policy regime including Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), and said that its recently unveiled Chennai design center drives wireless technologies worldwide. In an interaction with ETTelecom’s Muntazir Abbas, Qualcomm Senior Vice President, and President of Qualcomm India, Savi Soin talks on Wi-Fi 7, Internet of Things, 6 GHz band spectrum, sub-$100 5G smartphone, artificial intelligence (AI), and startup ecosystem. Edited excerpts:
What are your broad views on Wi-Fi 7 technology? Do you think 6 GHz spectrum should be allocated to pure-play Wi-Fi players?
Wi-Fi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT), brings extreme data speed, lower latencies, and increased network capacity thanks to new capabilities designed to support large numbers of users and devices in bandwidth-intensive environments. Indian Customers will really want Wi-Fi 7 with the promise of advanced experiences, including lower-latency XR designed for untethered and mobile gaming and advanced video conferencing and casting for virtual work and education applications.
When allocating the 6GHz spectrum, it is essential to adopt a harmonized and balanced approach that considers the needs of the industry. Both IMT and Wi-Fi technologies play complementary roles in enhancing broadband penetration. Over the past decade, there has been significant growth in traffic on both mobile broadband and Wi-Fi networks, a trend that is expected to continue. Therefore, the 6GHz spectrum should be allocated in a manner that ensures sufficient capacity for growth and meets the demands of subscribers and usage within the country.
What are the consumer 5G trends you are seeing in India? Are Indians migrating to 5G faster than the global average?
India has one of the fastest adoption rates of 5G technologies across the world with 5G subscriptions estimated to reach nearly 5.6 billion by 2029. Notably, Qualcomm’s introduction of 4s Gen 2, a sub-$100 5G smartphone is set to significantly improve 5G handset affordability, further accelerating 5G migration and making it easier for a larger segment of the population to experience the benefits of 5G technology. This surge is leading to higher data consumption, as faster download and upload speeds enhance the popularity of data-intensive applications such as high-definition video streaming, online gaming, and augmented reality experiences.Indians are migrating to 5G at a pace that might be faster than the global average, The growing acceptance of 5G technology, with its enhanced speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity, is driving the adoption of private 5G networks, particularly in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, where secure and efficient connectivity is essential. These networks offer enterprises full control over their connectivity, enabling advanced technologies and accelerating digital transformation across various sectors.
How soon a sub-$100 5G smartphone is likely to hit the market? You are working with Reliance Jio?
We are thrilled to have launched the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset, crafted to make 5G connectivity available for entry-level smartphones and enhance its accessibility. We aim to facilitate the release of 5G smartphones priced under $100.
Xiaomi has officially announced their upcoming product based on 4s Gen2, other OEM smartphones are in development. This launch underscores our dedication to making 5G technology widely accessible and available to all. Reliance Jio is a crucial partner in the overall initiative, working alongside us to bring affordable smartphones to the Indian market.
What are the top 2-3 sectors that you are focusing on currently?
Qualcomm is implementing our vision of a connected intelligent edge. The India team is strategically focusing on key sectors including mobile and fixed broadband, automotive, Internet of Things (IoT), data center and personal computers (PCs). This approach is driven by the need to advance connectivity with 5G technology, which underpins modern communication networks.
How is IoT set to change the business landscape for chipset companies like Qualcomm?
The digitization journey in India, exemplified by advancements like UPI, ONDC etc, highlights the need for robust connectivity, processing power, AI at the edge, and advanced computing to fully embrace this digital transformation. As the country progresses, the Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping the business landscape, driving a surge in demand for specialized chipsets.
How is Qualcomm looking at ‘AI future’? With AI taking centerstage, what are the areas/segments in mobile and PC that can enhance consumer experience?
Qualcomm envisions a hybrid AI future, where advanced AI capabilities across mobile, automotive and PC segments enhance cost efficiency, security, privacy and performance. By integrating on-device and cloud-based AI, we aim to optimize these aspects through our Snapdragon processors. These devices feature dedicated NPUs that allow for efficient execution of LLMs (large language models) and other AI applications locally, boosting performance at low power while enhancing privacy and security.
This hybrid approach impacts various areas, including camera and imaging technologies, intelligent personal assistants, battery management, and user interface experiences. Innovations in stable diffusion, audio processing, and natural language processing (NLP) drive new use cases, transforming e-commerce and connectivity landscapes. Ultimately, our focus on consumer experience ensures that these advancements provide tangible benefits, making interactions more intuitive and efficient.
What are the products you are designing in your recently unveiled Chennai facility?
The Chennai centre specializes in wireless connectivity technologies. Many of the global advancements in our Wi-Fi 7 offerings have emerged from the Chennai Design Center, where access point technology is designed and tested on a scale of engineering for global impact. We anticipate even greater contributions from this center in the future. By leveraging our global talent and expanding our presence in India, we aim to drive forward the next generation of connected technologies.
Your views on Atmanirbhar Bharat? Share insights on your Tata partnership?
India’s tech ecosystem is thriving, driven by a wealth of technological talent. The government’s recent initiatives have been instrumental in creating a market conducive to the growth of tech companies of all sizes. The push for Make in India and increasingly towards Design in India, along with the growing adoption of 5G and on-device AI, opens up vast opportunities for innovation. As a trusted partner in India’s digital journey, we are proud to contribute to this growth.
We anticipate a close strategic collaboration between Qualcomm Technologies, and government departments such as MeitY and DoT, to further accelerate India’s growth trajectory in the coming years. Our R&D centres in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, and Noida are fully equipped to support the local ecosystem in realizing the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
In line with this, Tata, as a key player in India’s ecosystem, presents a significant opportunity for collaboration. We look forward to exploring this potential partnership and contributing to India’s semiconductor and electronics landscape.
What are your India expansion plans including investment and headcount?
Qualcomm has been a key player in India for over 20 years, contributing to the country’s rise as an IT hub. Our commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative is reflected in our substantial investments and efforts to bolster India’s semiconductor community and workforce by fostering a partnership model to propel the chip industry forward. We share technology know-how and support the local ecosystem of fabless semiconductor companies, including smaller firms, to strengthen India’s tech landscape and drive further growth.
Qualcomm Semiconductor Mentorship Program offers mentorship to semiconductor startups all the way from their design phase to commercialization. Through the Qualcomm Design in India Challenge (QDIC) and the Qualcomm Women Entrepreneurship India Network (QWEIN), Qualcomm has enabled the success of over 125+ Indian startups, helping them develop hundreds of patents with the potential to revolutionize sectors such as IoT, healthcare, and robotics.
You are already working with startups in India. Are you open to acquiring those operating in relevant technology areas?
Our investments are strategically aimed at nurturing the local ecosystem through significant initiatives. We have incubated and mentored over 125 startups through QDIC, QWEIN, and QSMP, with a consistent annual addition of around 32 startups. These startups have harnessed 5G and AI for various applications, including IoT, healthcare, and robotics, resulting in over 300 patents.
Additionally, Qualcomm Ventures has invested over Rs 1,000 crore ($130 million) across 35 Indian startups that are developing world-class products for both domestic and global markets. Our ongoing collaborations with C-DoT and C-DAC further strengthens our commitment to accelerating India’s digital transformation. These efforts underscore our goal to enable and elevate the broader tech ecosystem through strategic, long-term investments.
