The Trump administration is reportedly set to launch a partnership with over 20 allies to accelerate the development of secure 6G wireless networks, aiming to counter China's influence over next-generation telecommunications.

The initiative brings together countries including the U.K., Germany and Japan to coordinate 6G strategies well before the next-generation wireless technology is expected to succeed 5G in the 2030s, reported POLITICO on Monday. The effort creates a framework for international cooperation on 6G by connecting participating governments, sharing technical expertise, and supporting future commercial deployment.

The initial 6G partnership has been endorsed by 24 governments across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the U.K.

Arielle Roth, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, told the publication that 6G will require a fundamentally different approach than 5G, with the U.S. working alongside trusted allies to ensure next-generation networks strengthen security, competitiveness, and innovation.

Roth and Commerce Deputy Secretary Paul Dabbar are set to discuss the initiative at a launch event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Qualcomm Eyes 6G By 2029

During the global race to build 5G networks, the U.S. warned that Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE posed national security risks and, beginning in President Donald Trump's first term, urged allies to exclude them from their networks. Washington also spent billions of dollars to remove and replace Huawei and ZTE equipment from rural U.S. telecommunications infrastructure.

In March, Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) and Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) announced a collaboration to improve high-fidelity RF digital twins and massive MIMO performance for 5G-Advanced and future 6G networks, aiming to bridge simulation with real-world deployment and reduce network rollout risks.

Qualcomm expects pre-commercial 6G devices as early as 2028 and commercial deployments from 2029, envisioning 6G as an AI-native wireless platform that connects data centers, network edges, and devices to enable context-aware experiences.

Image via Shutterstock