Qualcomm is intensifying its focus on the global critical communications sector to accelerate the development and deployment of 5G sidelink technology, a direct-mode communication capability designed to enable device-to-device connectivity without network infrastructure.

The announcement was made during a keynote session at IWCE 2026, where company executives outlined a strategic shift—placing public safety and mission-critical users at the center of sidelink innovation.

Brittany Haile, Public Safety Strategic Solutions Leader at Qualcomm, emphasized that unlike traditional telecom advancements driven by consumer demand, 5G sidelink is being shaped primarily by the needs of emergency services, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators.

“Sidelink has long existed within 3GPP standards, but the strongest demand has come from the critical communications community,” said Haile. “For the first time, development is being driven by public safety requirements rather than commercial priorities.”

Industry-Led Standards and Ecosystem Collaboration

Qualcomm confirmed it is working closely with global regulators, carriers, device manufacturers, and standards bodies such as 3GPP to define strict performance benchmarks before commercialization.

The company highlighted that widespread adoption will depend on a coordinated ecosystem approach, including chipset readiness, device form factors, and operator support.

“This is not a single-vendor solution,” Haile added. “Achieving reliable direct-mode communications requires alignment across the entire ecosystem—from chipsets to networks to end users.”

Addressing Gaps in Public Safety Communications

Industry stakeholders at IWCE welcomed Qualcomm’s approach, noting that previous efforts such as 3GPP Proximity Services (ProSe) faced adoption challenges due to limited device support.

Public safety leaders highlighted the transformative potential of 5G sidelink, particularly for:

• Off-network communications in disaster zones

• Indoor connectivity where coverage is unavailable

• Mission-critical coordination for fire, police, and emergency responders

The technology is also expected to complement existing Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and cellular systems, helping bridge longstanding gaps in in-building communications.

Accelerating Deployment Amid Infrastructure Challenges

Experts emphasized the urgency of deploying alternative communication solutions, citing the slow pace of in-building wireless system rollouts.

With millions of buildings still lacking reliable public safety coverage, 5G sidelink is emerging as a scalable, infrastructure-independent solution to enhance responder safety and operational efficiency.