"Connectivity is being given a new mission to better carry intelligence, support industry, and serve society, becoming a 'digital lifeline' for promoting high-quality social and economic operation."
This quote comes from Meng Pu, Chairman of Qualcomm China, in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Conference held in Wuhan on May 17, 2026. At this industry event themed "Digital Lifeline: Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World," Qualcomm outlined a new 6G blueprint from 5G/5G-A to "AI Connecting Everything," clarifying that 6G will be built around three technological cornerstones: "connectivity," "computing," and "sensing . "
As a company deeply involved in the full range of communication modules including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, embedded IoT, and PLC , how do we view the profound impact of Qualcomm's 6G roadmap on the communication module industry? How will the 3.5 trillion yuan IoT policy released by nine departments reshape the market landscape? Faced with the wave of new technologies such as Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, 5G RedCap, and PLC+RF dual-mode, how should developers make informed module selection decisions?
This article will combine Qualcomm's latest 6G technology vision, authoritative market data, and the cutting-edge development of the four major module technologies to provide industry developers and system integrators with an in-depth selection reference.
I. Qualcomm's 6G "AI Connectivity for Everything" Blueprint: Pointing the Way for the Communication Module Industry
1.1 From 5G-A to AI-native 6G: Redefining the Relationship between Connectivity and Intelligence
On May 17, 2026, Meng Pu, Chairman of Qualcomm China, delivered a speech entitled "AI Connects Everything, Ushering in a New Era of 6G". Meng Pu stated that 6G will shoulder a new mission, redefining the relationship between connectivity and intelligence, making the network not just a "pipeline for transmitting information", but also the foundation for "intelligent flow", becoming a brand-new wireless system that "makes AI ubiquitous" .
Meng Pu further explained that, in response to the demands of the intelligent agent era for continuous availability, context awareness, and efficient operation, 6G will be built around three technological cornerstones: "connectivity," "computation," and "sensing ." In the future, as the foundation of intelligent networks, 6G will bring a "collaborative experience" connecting terminals, edge computing, and the cloud, supporting new application forms such as real-time decision-making, automation, robotics, and digital twins .
It's worth noting that Qian Kun, Senior Vice President of Qualcomm, also pointed out that the mission of 6G is to become a wireless communication technology that empowers the AI era and makes AI ubiquitous. Future 6G base stations will no longer be simple signal transceivers; their local AI computing capabilities will empower various devices, from AI smartphones and smart glasses to home robots, truly bringing the convenience of "Internet of Everything" into daily life.
1.2 Surge in Traffic and AI-Driven Development: The New Foundation for the Module Market
Industry data shows that global wide area network traffic is expected to increase three to seven times by 2034, with AI alone contributing about 30% of that traffic . AI is becoming one of the core drivers of wireless data traffic growth.
Qualcomm believes that future wireless networks will evolve from "connecting everything" to "understanding everything and collaborating with everything." At the same time, the underlying logic of intelligent operation is also undergoing profound changes—the industry is shifting from an "application-centric" digital ecosystem to a new paradigm centered on "intelligent agents . "
This trend means the following for the communication module industry:
For Wi-Fi modules : Wi-Fi 7, with its higher bandwidth and lower latency, will become standard in smart homes, enterprise offices, and industrial scenarios.
For Bluetooth modules : Bluetooth 6.0's channel detection technology brings centimeter-level ranging capabilities, and its integration with edge AI opens up new battlegrounds such as automotive and indoor positioning.
For embedded IoT modules : Embedded AI and cellular IoT are rapidly converging, and AI embedded modules will account for an increasingly larger share of shipments.
For PLC modules : As a communication solution that ensures "network access wherever there is electricity," they undertake the mission of providing highly reliable data transmission in smart grids and smart lighting.
1.3 Qualcomm 6G Commercial Roadmap
Meng Pu also shared Qualcomm's 6G technology vision and development roadmap. It is understood that Qualcomm is continuously advancing the research and development of key 6G technologies and prototyping practices, planning to showcase pre-commercial 6G terminals and networks in 2028, and to begin initial deployment of commercial 6G systems starting in 2029. The Qualcomm X105 5G modem and RF system, launched in March of this year, is the world's first modem and RF system ready for Release 19, combining hardware innovation with AI-driven intelligence, laying a solid foundation for 6G development and testing .
During the Mobile World Congress (MWC) earlier this year, Qualcomm joined hands with nearly 60 leading companies worldwide to reach a consensus on 6G development, nearly one-third of which were Chinese companies, demonstrating the vitality of China's industry in actively embracing new technologies .
For the communication module industry, this means that the penetration of 6G technology has moved from laboratory research and development to the stage of application scenario preparation. Each type of module needs to make advance preparations to meet the new technical standards.
II. Nine Departments' 3.5 Trillion Yuan New Policy: The Internet of Things Industry Enters the Era of "Hundreds of Billions of Connections"
On March 31, 2026, nine departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, jointly issued the "Action Plan for Promoting the Innovative Development of the Internet of Things Industry (2026-2028) ," which clearly states that the innovative development of the Internet of Things industry will be promoted through five major measures: promoting the innovation and upgrading of Internet of Things devices, improving the service efficiency of Internet of Things platforms, cultivating Internet of Things application scenarios, consolidating the Internet of Things network foundation, and creating an ecosystem for the development of the Internet of Things industry .
The Action Plan clearly states that by 2028, new IoT technologies, products, and models will continue to emerge, the industry's innovation capabilities will be continuously enhanced, breakthroughs will be achieved in key technologies such as sensing, networking and communication, data processing, and security, the intelligence level of terminals and platforms will be significantly improved, more than 50 advanced and applicable standards will be formulated and revised, 10 application areas with hundreds of millions of connections and 15 application areas with tens of millions of connections will be cultivated and developed, the number of IoT terminal connections will strive to reach tens of billions, and the scale of the core IoT industry will exceed 3.5 trillion yuan .
This means that China's IoT industry is at a critical juncture in its transformation from "Internet of Everything" to "Ubiquitous Intelligent Connectivity," providing unprecedented market opportunities for four major module categories: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, embedded IoT, and PLC.
III. Market Trends and Selection Analysis of Four Major Communication Modules
3.1 Wi-Fi Modules: Fully Entering the Wi-Fi 7 Era
The global Wi-Fi 7 ecosystem is experiencing explosive growth. Data shows that the global Wi-Fi 7 ecosystem market size was $6.57 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $73.18 billion by 2032, representing a CAGR of 39.9% . Looking at the router market, the Wi-Fi 7 router market size was $1.8 billion in 2025, projected to grow to $2.3 billion in 2026 and reach $20.2 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 54.43% .
In terms of technological evolution, Wi-Fi 7's multi-link operation (MLO), 4096-QAM modulation, and 320MHz channel bonding are highly compatible with the deployment of 10Gbps fiber broadband . Notably, by early 2026, sales of Wi-Fi 7 routers in the North American market had exceeded three times that of Wi-Fi 6 routers , demonstrating the rapid pace of the current upgrade wave . From an application perspective, industrial IoT use cases are growing at a CAGR of 56.23%, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors .
Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) has also begun to enter the industry's field of vision. Its core value proposition has shifted from emphasizing higher throughput in previous generations to providing ultra-high reliability —p99 latency has been reduced to one-sixth of Wi-Fi 7, and IoT coverage has been expanded by about 100%. This further clarifies the direction of Wi-Fi technology's transformation from "greater bandwidth" to "more reliable connection".
Selection Recommendations:
For smart home appliances and consumer electronics products, Wi-Fi 6/6E offers the optimal solution that balances cost-effectiveness and performance.
For smart home whole-house networking and industrial automation scenarios, Wi-Fi 7 is the preferred choice due to its MLO multi-link capability and stronger wall-penetrating ability.
For industrial and medical applications that demand ultra-high reliability, it is recommended to pay attention to the upcoming development of Wi-Fi 8 and reserve room for technology upgrades.
3.2 Bluetooth Module: Connectivity Exceeds 5.9 Billion Units, Entering the Era of Centimeter-Level Ranging
According to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), annual shipments of Bluetooth devices will reach 5.9 billion units in 2026 and 8.1 billion units in 2030. From 2025 to 2050, the average annual growth rate is expected to be approximately 8.4%, demonstrating strong growth resilience .
The Bluetooth 6.0 core specification was officially released in September 2024. The most notable technological upgrade was the introduction of Channel Sounding (DSS), which enabled Bluetooth to achieve centimeter-level ranging capabilities for the first time . This technology uses both Phase Scale Ranging (PBR) and Round Trip Time (RTT) mechanisms to calculate time and distance feedback, reducing Bluetooth ranging accuracy from meter-level errors of traditional RSSI to centimeter-level errors. This effectively solves the accuracy challenges in complex environments such as human obstruction and multipath interference . 2026 is considered a crucial year for the large-scale commercialization of these new technologies .
Automotive applications are the fastest-growing market for Bluetooth modules . Zhou Wei, General Manager of Silicon Motion China, revealed that a major automaker has deployed more than 20 Bluetooth nodes in a single vehicle , enabling interconnectivity between headlights, seats, in-car refrigerators, aromatherapy devices, and other equipment, turning vehicles into "mobile smart homes ." Almost all major automakers are advancing research and development related to channel detection, with the earliest mass-produced models expected to launch by the end of 2026 or early 2027 .
The integration of edge AI and wireless connectivity has moved from proof-of-concept to product definition, while energy harvesting solutions have enabled the true implementation of "battery-free" devices in specific scenarios .
Selection Recommendations:
For wearable devices and health monitoring products, the ultra-low power consumption of BLE 5.3/5.4 remains a core consideration.
For in-vehicle PEPS keyless entry and indoor asset tracking scenarios, modules supporting Bluetooth 6.0 channel detection technology should be prioritized to obtain centimeter-level ranging capabilities.
For smart home sensor networks, the BLE 5.x+Mesh networking solution performs excellently in terms of low power consumption and coverage.
3.3 Embedded IoT Modules: Embedded intelligence is becoming the "new standard" for modules.
The embedded IoT module market is expanding steadily. According to data from 360iResearch, the global IoT communication module market will reach $7.08 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $7.74 billion in 2026, with a CAGR of 10.96%, and will reach $14.67 billion by 2032 .
Of particular note is the emergence of AI-embedded cellular modules as a growth engine. Counterpoint data shows that AI-embedded cellular modules are projected to account for 25% of all IoT module shipments, significantly higher than 6% in 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate of 35%. This growth is primarily driven by edge AI applications, such as smart handheld terminals, smart POS systems, surveillance cameras, drones, robots, and industrial HMI panels—scenarios with a strong demand for real-time intelligent processing.
From the perspective of cellular IoT technology roadmap, 5G RedCap and LTE Cat-1 bis are the two most important main lines. Omdia predicts that by 2030, the number of cellular IoT connections will reach 5.4 billion , with 5G RedCap, 5G Massive IoT, and 4G LTE Cat-1 bis modules being the three main growth drivers. Meanwhile, ASR Microelectronics' Cat.1 main chip shipments have exceeded 600 million units, fully demonstrating the market maturity and economies of scale of the Cat.1 bis route.
It's worth noting that due to tight LPDDR4 memory supply and AI demand crowding out production capacity, Counterpoint Research has lowered its 2026 growth forecast for cellular IoT modules from 8% to 4%. Smart modules, 5G, and RedCap are most significantly impacted, while Cat.1 bis and NB-IoT are relatively unaffected due to their lower memory requirements . This means that Cat.1 bis and NB-IoT will solidify their market position, becoming the preferred choice for current cost-sensitive IoT projects.
Selection Recommendations:
For cost-sensitive low-to-medium speed applications (POS machines, shared devices, smart wearables), the Cat.1 bis module, with its single-antenna design, low cost, and broad global compatibility , is currently the most cost-effective option.
For scenarios that require 5G capabilities but prioritize cost optimization (video surveillance, industrial sensing, drones), 5G RedCap is the optimal solution that balances high performance and cost.
For scenarios requiring deep coverage and extremely low power consumption (smart water meters, environmental monitoring), NB-IoT remains an irreplaceable technology.
3.4 PLC Modules: From Smart Grids to Whole-House Intelligence, the Unique Value of "Electricity Brings Internet Access"
The unique advantage of power line communication (PLC) technology is that it uses existing power lines for data transmission without the need for additional wiring, making it particularly suitable for environments where wireless signal penetration is challenging.
The integration of PLC and radio frequency (RF) technology is one of the most noteworthy technological trends in recent years. The "HPLC+RF dual-mode solution" can automatically switch communication paths based on site conditions , maximizing communication reliability. This dual-mode solution has been widely used in smart grid centralized procurement and is beginning to expand into areas such as smart lighting, photovoltaic monitoring, and energy storage systems. In smart street lighting scenarios, the PLC+HPLC dual-mode solution achieves full functional coverage of single-lamp control, dimming and color adjustment, and energy consumption monitoring; in the new energy field, PLC technology is increasingly being applied to photovoltaic inverter monitoring and remote operation and maintenance of energy storage systems.
The global power line communication systems market has maintained steady growth, driven by continued investment in smart grid construction and the large-scale deployment of smart city lighting. Over 68% of utilities rely on PLCs for smart grid communication, highlighting the irreplaceable role of PLCs in infrastructure communication.
Selection Recommendations:
For smart grid and smart meter applications, the narrowband PLC and HPLC+RF dual-mode solution demonstrates excellent reliability and anti-interference capabilities.
For smart lighting (building/streetlight) scenarios, broadband PLC or PLC+RF dual-mode solutions have become the mainstream choice due to their advantages such as no wiring required and strong cluster control capabilities.
For whole-house smart home applications, broadband PLC solutions offer unique value with seamless coverage and strong wall-penetrating capabilities.
For new energy scenarios such as photovoltaics, energy storage, and charging piles, PLC solutions have a natural advantage in real-time data acquisition and remote operation and maintenance.
IV. Qualcomm QCC74x: The latest signal of Qualcomm's push into the mass-market embedded IoT market
In May 2026, Qualcomm launched the QCC74x series of wireless MCU SoCs, attracting significant attention from the industry. Based on a RISC-V architecture (325 MHz FPU + DSP), the QCC74x supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, Thread, and Zigbee , integrating multiple wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IEEE 802.15.4 into a single SoC chip . Its highest-end evaluation board, priced at only $13 and including 8MB of PSRAM, clearly represents a strategic move targeting the mass-market IoT market .
The QCC74x is particularly suitable for cost-sensitive applications with high functional integration requirements, such as smart home appliances, industrial IoT, smart home devices, medical devices, and IoT hubs/gateways . This indicates that the "intelligent integration" of embedded IoT modules is becoming an irreversible trend.
Qualcomm's strategy clearly demonstrates that the deep integration of AI and communications is permeating from high-end chips to mass-market IoT chips. Future IoT devices will integrate more advanced communication capabilities (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, Thread), stronger computing power (RISC-V architecture DSP), and lower power consumption management. For module selectors, this means that the "intelligent workload" of connectivity modules is gradually increasing, presenting a crucial opportunity to accelerate the pre-deployment of AI capabilities.
V. The Trend of AI + Communication Convergence: Six Core Selection Principles
Looking back at the three dimensions of policy, market, and technology, and combining this with the "connectivity + computing + sensing" convergence direction guided by Qualcomm's 6G roadmap, we have summarized the following six core selection principles to help developers make more informed decisions:
Selection Principle 1: Pre-configured AI Capabilities. Prioritize modules that support edge AI acceleration to reserve computing power interfaces for future applications. As the proportion of AI embedded modules rapidly increases, modules without AI capabilities may face a technological gap in two to three years.
Selection Principle Two: Forward-Looking Standard Upgrade Principle. New product development should prioritize the adoption of new standards—Wi-Fi 7 replacing Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 6.0 replacing Bluetooth 5.x, 5G RedCap replacing traditional 4G solutions, and PLC+RF dual-mode replacing single-mode solutions. Forward-looking specification selection can significantly extend the product's market lifecycle.
Selection Principle Three: Power Consumption/Cost Tier Principle. Choose NB-IoT/BLE 5.x for low-power scenarios, Cat.1 bis/Wi-Fi 6 for medium-performance scenarios, and 5G RedCap/Wi-Fi 7 for high-performance scenarios. Clearly define the power consumption and cost boundaries for each application scenario to avoid "over-selection" leading to uncontrolled costs.
Selection Principle Four: Application Ecosystem Matching Principle. Fully consider the maturity of the industry chain: Bluetooth has the most complete ecosystem (5.9 billion units shipped annually), and its developer community and compatibility have been proven over a long period; Wi-Fi's ecosystem is second most mature, but has the widest coverage; the PLC industry has formed a complete closed-loop ecosystem in the smart grid field, with excellent stability.
Selection Principle Five: Dual-Mode Backup Selection Principle. For scenarios with high reliability requirements, prioritize dual-mode solutions. For example, PLC+RF dual-mode automatically switches communication paths, Wi-Fi+Bluetooth combination modules achieve multi-scenario coverage, and LTE Cat.1 bis+NB-IoT dual-mode balances coverage and power consumption.
Selection Principle Six: Domestic Substitution and Diversification. Domestic module chip manufacturers deserve close attention. The RISC-V architecture adopted by QCC74x represents an important direction in open-source hardware, while Cat.1 chips from domestic manufacturers such as ASR have already achieved large-scale mass production. Supply chain diversification is an important strategic consideration in the current macroeconomic environment.
Conclusion: Following Qualcomm's 6G roadmap, we are positioning ourselves in the new era of AI-powered intelligent connectivity.
From Qualcomm's significant announcement at the 2026 World Telecommunication Day conference to the "Action Plan for Promoting the Innovative Development of the Internet of Things Industry" jointly released by nine departments, and the intensive iteration of the four major communication module technologies, 2026 is undoubtedly a crucial year for China's communication module industry to move towards a new stage of "AI-connected everything".
Qualcomm's technology roadmap is clear: with "connectivity + computing + sensing" as the three cornerstone technologies and 6G as the new foundation, it aims to achieve a leap from "connecting everything" to "understanding everything and collaborating with everything." This is the core guideline for the development of the communication module industry over the next decade.
As a company deeply involved in the full range of communication modules including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, embedded IoT, and PLC , we will keep pace with the technological evolution of Qualcomm 6G and continue to provide high-quality communication module products that meet high standards, have forward-looking AI capabilities, and cover diverse application scenarios , so as to embrace the new era of "AI connecting everything" together with developers.
Data source:
1. Meng Pu, Chairman of Qualcomm China, speaks at the 2026 World Telecommunication Day Conference.
2. Qualcomm Senior Vice President Qian Kun shares 6G technology insights.
3. The Action Plan for Promoting the Innovative Development of the Internet of Things Industry (2026-2028) issued by nine departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
4. Mordor Intelligence Wi-Fi 7 Router Market Report (2026)
5. Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) Annual Bluetooth Device Shipment Forecast (2026)
6. Counterpoint Research Global Cellular IoT Module Tracker Report (2026)
7. Omdia Cellular IoT Connectivity Forecast Report
8. 360iResearch IoT Communication Module Market Report (2026)
9. Silicon Labs Bluetooth Asia Conference 2026 Technology Demonstration and Interviews
10. Qualcomm QCC74x Series Wireless MCU Product Release Information (May 2026)
