Qualcomm acquires Cellwize to accelerate 5G adoption and edge network infrastructure innovation

SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2022 – Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. today announced that it has acquired Cellwize Wireless Technologies Pte. Ltd., a leader in mobile network automation and management, to further enhance Qualcomm Technologies’ leadership in driving 5G RAN innovation and adoption. Cellwize’s 5G network deployment, automation and management software platform capabilities further strengthen Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G infrastructure solutions to drive industry digital transformation, enable the intelligent connected edge and support the growth of the cloud economy.

Cellwize’s leading cloud-native, multi-vendor RAN automation and management platform, combined with Qualcomm Technologies’ industry-leading 5G RAN solutions, is expected to deliver:

• Leading RAN automation and management software solutions to accelerate the development of the intelligent connected edge by reducing network deployment time and simplifying network management through the deployment of 5G enterprise private and public networks

• Programmable solutions that support differentiated and customized application ecosystems (marketplaces) across multiple vertical industries

• Horizontal solution that enables simple management of a multi-vendor ecosystem of open virtual networks

• Flexible RAN architecture solutions (Open RAN, Virtual RAN and Traditional RAN) and multi-generation support

“Mobile operators and private enterprises around the world are deploying 5G networks at an unprecedented pace across industries to connect people and everything to the cloud,” said Deja Vu, senior vice president and general manager of cellular modem and infrastructure business at Qualcomm Technologies. “Cellwize’s industry-leading RAN automation technology enhances Qualcomm Technologies’ ability to drive the development of modern 5G networks, thereby accelerating the global adoption of open RAN, innovation in cloud-based cellular infrastructure, and the deployment of 5G enterprise private networks.”

Ofir Zemer, former CEO of Cellwize and current vice president of product management at Qualcomm Technologies, said: “Cellwize is very excited to join Qualcomm Technologies. We are both committed to accelerating the modernization of radio access networks and enabling mobile network operators and enterprises to fully realize and benefit from digital transformation.”

Qualcomm is a leader in enabling 5G to empower the intelligent, connected edge and cloud economies. With its broad 5G RAN product portfolio, Qualcomm plays a critical role in driving the cellular ecosystem and accelerating innovation cycles to quickly support large-scale deployments of modern 5G networks.

Many industry leaders expressed their support for the acquisition:

Stephen Howe, Bell Chief Technology and Information Officer, said: "Bell welcomes Qualcomm Technologies' acquisition of Cellwize, which will create synergies and advance the telecommunications ecosystem by providing open, cloud-native and flexible networks that meet performance requirements at the edge. We look forward to continuing to work with Qualcomm Technologies and Cellwize on infrastructure and automation innovation to build future-oriented, user-centric networks."

“With the increasing complexity of networks due to the addition of a wide range of spectrum bands, massive MIMO and multi-vendor disaggregated networks (Open RAN), network automation and orchestration are key to managing network complexity and improving operational efficiency,” said Abdurazak Mudesir, Group Chief Technology Officer at Deutsche Telekom. “We are very pleased with this acquisition as Cellwize is committed to improving the next generation network experience through automation and orchestration. Deutsche Telekom has invested in Cellwize through its venture capital firm DTCP (Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners) since 2018. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies and Cellwize to jointly advance the next stage of automation.”

“HPE is excited about this acquisition, which will help further solidify and accelerate our joint value proposition with two of our close strategic partners, Qualcomm Technologies and Cellwize,” said Domenico Convertino, vice president of product management, HPE Communications Technology Group. “HPE’s leadership in telecom infrastructure, especially in end-to-end automation and operations support systems, combined with Qualcomm Technologies’ leading RAN platform and Cellwize’s RAN automation and management solutions, is a winning combination to capture the RAN disaggregation market opportunity and accelerate its adoption in the telecom industry. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and working together to deliver new features to help customers simplify operations, manage multi-vendor 5G networks and accelerate 5G deployment.”

“The combined capabilities of Microsoft Azure’s dedicated Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) solution with Qualcomm Technologies’ leading RAN platform and Cellwize’s RAN automation and management solutions will help accelerate 5G adoption and simplify the deployment and management of the intelligent 5G edge for a wide range of industries and use cases,” said Martin Lund, vice president of Azure for Operators.

“Verizon has been at the forefront of developing a differentiated 5G network that will be the innovation platform of the 21st century. Optimizing the RAN through automation is key to achieving this vision,” said Ed Chan, chief technology officer of Verizon. “We are pleased that Qualcomm Technologies has expanded its already innovative infrastructure solutions by acquiring Cellwize’s RAN automation and management solutions, the foundation of Verizon’s SON architecture. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Qualcomm Technologies to shape the 5G world of the future.”

“Network orchestration and automation will play a fundamental role in open RAN deployments to manage and optimize multi-vendor networks,” said Santiago Tenorio, Vodafone’s director of network architecture. “We are excited about this acquisition and look forward to working with Qualcomm Technologies and Cellwise to test their solutions on Vodafone’s network while accelerating our own open RAN deployment.”

DLA Piper LLP served as lead legal counsel to Qualcomm Technologies, and Fischer (FBC & Co.) served as local legal counsel to Qualcomm Technologies. Evercore served as financial advisor to Cellwize, and Goldfarb Seligman and Co. served as legal counsel.