Intel is set to face significant challenges as it navigates a complex landscape of regulatory scrutiny and geopolitical tensions. In early March 2026, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Viettel High Tech announced collaborations with Intel, AMD, and ID Quantique aimed at developing AI-native 5G Advanced and 6G technologies. Concurrently, Intel revealed an expansion of its partnerships with Ericsson, Infosys, and Corvex, focusing on confidential computing and AI infrastructure.
Despite the optimism surrounding these technological advancements, Intel is under increased scrutiny from US lawmakers regarding its testing of equipment associated with ACM Research, a company linked to China. Analysts believe that Intel's future success will depend significantly on its ability to convert these partnerships into profitable ventures, particularly in the realm of AI data centers. By 2028, projections suggest that Intel could see revenues of $58.1 billion and earnings of $5.2 billion, necessitating a 3.1% annual revenue growth and a substantial increase in earnings from its current negative position of $20.5 billion.
The partnership with Ericsson is especially critical, as it aligns with Intel's computing roadmap for next-generation telecom infrastructure. Success in this collaboration could bolster claims that AI-driven workloads will alleviate current capacity constraints while mitigating reliance on outdated products.