Nexa has partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to advance secure and resilient mobile device solutions for cybersecurity, border security, transportation, and emergency response.

To support the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), it pledged a $100 million strategic investment to augment its portfolio. Nexa also outlined plans to scale operations, diversify manufacturing, and strengthen supply chains for the U.S. government and first-responder partners.

As first responders are rapidly adopting advanced wireless capabilities such as 5G NR (New Radio) sidelink for direct-to-device (D2D) continuity, and 3GPP non-terrestrial networks (NTN) across public safety, agencies like the DHS can benefit from a partner that can translate these standards into field-proven hardware.

“Our mission has always been to build technology that enables first responders and government agencies to do their jobs more effectively and securely,” Robert Morcos, CEO and founder of Nexa, said.

“This CRADA with DHS reinforces our commitment to advancing innovation in purpose-built mobility, ensuring that the tools used by our nation’s protectors are designed with their unique needs in mind.”

The two have established a framework to collaborate on research, testing, and development of U.S.-designed Trade Agreements Act (TAA)-compliant mobility technology.

Nexa, formerly known as Social Mobile, already has a history of innovation with government partners, including the LOBO device, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) as part of a 2022 contract.

These efforts resulted in a purpose-built, enterprise-grade, 5G End User Device (EUD) prototype to meet the unique requirements of Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) Airmen.

Qualcomm collab for 5G sidelink on NEXA devices

The Nexa initiative also includes a collaboration with Qualcomm for its expertise in secure mobile platforms. The duo is conducting in-depth testing of 5G sidelink wireless technology, which allows LTE and 5G devices to interact directly, provide lower latency, and connectivity in areas without cellular coverage to support vehicle-to-everything (V2X), public safety, and IoT applications.

As part of the extended collaboration, Nexa will enable sidelink capabilities on select Sonim-branded rugged devices for direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity without reliance on cellular infrastructure. DHS and other federal agencies that require persistent communications are expected to benefit from the arrangements.

Following its strategic acquisition of Sonim, Nexa showcased its portfolio at MWC. Its main offerings included its Rhino Mobility RedCap (Reduced Capability) devices, delivering enhanced 5G performance for industrial and enterprise applications.

Nexa also unveiled the Rhino V1 wearable 5G platform, built on Qualcomm’s newly launched wearable Snapdragon 5G platform. Designed for mission-critical applications, it supports real-time monitoring, workflow integration, and wearable health tracking with extended battery life and reliable performance.

These devices highlighted Nexa’s ability to create custom Android solutions for specific organizational needs, driving innovation across industrial IoT, healthcare, and enterprise operations. By leveraging scalable platforms and a TCO-driven approach, the organization aims to help companies deploy solutions faster, reduce costs, and bring innovations to market efficiently.