At Least 18 Smartphone OEMs to Bow 5G Handsets in 2019, Says Qualcomm CEO

“Priority No. 1” at Qualcomm is to “drive the transition to 5G,” said CEO Steve Mollenkopf on a Wednesday earnings call. “When the world is introduced to 5G early next year, we believe we will be the technology partner in nearly all the commercial launches around the world.” The pace of 5G adoption will “meet or exceed that of 4G,” said Mollenkopf. The company is working with at least 18 smartphone OEMs globally that have committed to launch handsets in 2019 embedded with Qualcomm 5G modems, he said. Qualcomm also secured “the world's first major 5G design win” with a top automaker, “and we are working with numerous other automakers and Tier 1 suppliers to bring 5G to vehicles,” he said.