InterDigital Honors Samir Ferdi as 2026 Inventor of the Year

The Inventor of the Year award is an annual accolade given to outstanding inventors at InterDigital whose patented innovations and commitment to advancing global standards align with the company's core values. Recognized for his sustained technical leadership, Ferdi has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of secure and intelligent wireless systems since joining InterDigital in 2007.

His extensive work encompasses critical advancements in both 4G and 5G technologies, particularly in areas like vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, device-to-device connectivity, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cellular network security. These innovations are vital not only for smartphones and IoT devices but also for the ever-evolving landscape of connected automobiles and other industry verticals.

InterDigital's CEO, Liren Chen, praised Samir Ferdi's contributions, stating, “Samir represents the very best of InterDigital’s innovation culture. His ability to identify critical challenges early, develop practical and forward-looking solutions, and drive their adoption in global standards bodies has strengthened our leadership in wireless research and created meaningful impact across the industry.”

Ferdi’s experience as a long-standing contributor to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) notably includes eight years of active participation in the SA3 working group, which focuses on security and privacy. His commitment to ensuring that next-generation networks remain secure, resilient, and privacy-preserving is critical as the industry prepares for the anticipated evolution toward 6G.

With a robust background in software implementation and telecommunications infrastructure, Ferdi’s approach combines real-world deployment challenges with a forward-thinking innovation strategy. This unique perspective allows him to create solutions that are not only inventive but also practical and ready for industry standards.

Rajesh Pankaj, InterDigital's CTO, highlighted that “InterDigital’s success is built on inventors who combine deep technical expertise with persistence and vision.” He further emphasized that Ferdi’s leadership in security, intelligent connectivity, and standards engagement exemplifies the company’s mission to invent foundational technologies that empower an increasingly connected world.

Founded in 1972, InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (AI), and related technologies. The firm designs and develops foundational technologies that facilitate connected and immersive experiences across a broad spectrum of communications and entertainment products and services. InterDigital licenses its innovations worldwide to companies in various sectors, including wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, and cloud-based service providers.

As a recognized leader in wireless technology, InterDigital has been instrumental in the evolution of wireless products and networks, from the inception of digital cellular systems to the advanced Wi-Fi technologies of today. The company is also a prominent player in video processing and encoding/decoding technology, with a significant focus on AI research that intersects with wireless and video technologies.

In conclusion, the recognition of Samir Ferdi as Inventor of the Year underscores InterDigital’s commitment to fostering innovation and maintaining leadership in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.