InterDigital Names Samir Ferdi as 2026 Inventor of the Year

Rhea-AI Summary

InterDigital (Nasdaq: IDCC) named Samir Ferdi as its 2026 Inventor of the Year on Feb. 19, 2026, recognizing his sustained leadership in wireless innovation and standards.

Ferdi, with InterDigital since 2007, is credited for inventions across 4G/5G V2X, device-to-device, UAVs, and cellular network security and for active contributions to 3GPP SA3.

Key Figures

Tenure at InterDigital: Since 2007 SA3 participation: 8 years 4G technologies: 4G +2 more

5 metrics

Tenure at InterDigital Since 2007 Year Samir Ferdi joined InterDigital

SA3 participation 8 years Duration of Samir Ferdi’s work in 3GPP SA3 security/privacy group

4G technologies 4G Generation of wireless standards impacted by his innovations

5G technologies 5G Generation of wireless standards impacted by his innovations

Next-gen focus 6G Target generation for secure, intelligent connectivity research

Market Reality Check

Price: $348.34 Vol: Volume 239,810 vs 20-day ...

normal vol

$348.34 Last Close

Volume Volume 239,810 vs 20-day average 288,113 (relative volume 0.83) ahead of this internal award news. normal

Technical Shares at $348.34, trading above 200-day MA of $298.05, and still 15.57% below the 52-week high of $412.60.

Peers on Argus

IDCC was down 3.91% while key software/application peers like NICE (+4.86%), SRA...

IDCC was down 3.91% while key software/application peers like NICE (+4.86%), SRAD (+1.51%), CVLT (+1.16%), OTEX (+0.45%), and DSGX (+0.20%) traded higher, pointing to stock-specific weakness rather than a sector move.

Common Catalyst One peer, NICE, reported cloud revenue growth the same day, but broader peer moves were positive and unrelated to IDCC’s internal inventor recognition.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 17 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 17	License renewal	Positive	-2.3%	Renewed global patent license agreement with Sony covering connected devices.
Feb 13	Patent injunction	Positive	+5.1%	Munich court awarded fifth injunction against Disney over HEVC technology.
Feb 12	Standards leadership	Positive	-1.9%	Atle Monrad re‑elected chair of 3GPP SA6 for next‑gen service frameworks.
Feb 10	Patent enforcement	Positive	-6.8%	Company moved to enforce patents against Hisense and TCL in disputes.
Feb 10	Strategic partnership	Positive	-6.8%	Launched Haptic Excellence Center with Razer to advance haptic media.

Pattern Detected

Recent news with strategically positive tone has often coincided with negative next-day moves, except for the favorable Disney injunction outcome.

Recent Company History

Over recent weeks InterDigital has highlighted multiple strategic and legal milestones. On Feb 10, it enforced patents against Hisense and TCL and separately launched a Haptic Excellence Center with Razer, yet the stock fell 6.76% after each headline. A Feb 12 announcement about a 3GPP SA6 chair re‑election and a Feb 17 renewal of the Sony patent license also saw mild negative reactions. Only the Feb 13 Disney injunction, the fifth against that counterparty, aligned with a positive 5.09% move, underscoring mixed market responses to positive news.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights InterDigital’s emphasis on secure, intelligent connectivity by recogniz...

Analysis

This announcement highlights InterDigital’s emphasis on secure, intelligent connectivity by recognizing Samir Ferdi as its 2026 Inventor of the Year. His contributions span 4G, 5G, and work toward 6G within 3GPP’s SA3 security group over the past eight years. In the past weeks, the company has also reported license renewals, patent enforcement wins, and standards leadership roles. Investors reviewing this news may track how such innovation credentials relate to future licensing, litigation outcomes, and standard-setting influence.

Key Terms

vehicle-to-everything (v2x), unmanned aerial vehicles, 3gpp, iot, +1 more

5 terms

vehicle-to-everything (v2x) technical

"His innovations span 4G and 5G technologies covering vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications..."

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) is a system that lets cars and other vehicles communicate wirelessly with other vehicles, road infrastructure, pedestrians’ devices and the broader network, like a traffic-aware messaging system. For investors it matters because V2X can reduce accidents, improve traffic flow and unlock new software, sensor and data services, creating revenue opportunities for automakers, suppliers and telecom providers while also exposing firms to regulatory, infrastructure and cybersecurity risks.

unmanned aerial vehicles technical

"...covering vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, device-to-device connectivity, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cellular network security..."

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are aircraft that fly without a pilot on board, controlled remotely or by onboard computers—think of them as flying robots or advanced remote‑control planes. They matter to investors because they create new markets and revenue streams across industries such as defense, logistics, agriculture and infrastructure inspection; their value depends on demand, safety and regulatory approval, similar to how driverless cars reshape transport investment risks and opportunities.

3gpp technical

"A long-standing contributor to 3GPP, Samir has been an active participant in SA3..."

3GPP is a global standards group that creates the technical rules enabling mobile networks and devices to work together — think of it as the rulebook for how phones, antennas and networks speak the same language. Investors care because these standards shape which technologies gain wide adoption, influence network rollouts, and affect patent licensing and equipment markets, all of which can change revenue and costs across telecom companies.

iot technical

"...enabling use cases in smartphones, IoT devices, and connected automobiles..."

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a network of everyday devices—such as appliances, vehicles, and equipment—that are connected to the internet and can share data automatically. For investors, IoT represents a growing trend that can drive efficiency and innovation across many industries, potentially creating new opportunities for growth and value. Its expansion influences how companies operate and compete in a digitally connected world.

6g technical

"...while addressing emerging threats as wireless systems evolve toward 6G."

6G is the next-generation wireless network technology being developed to succeed 5G, promising much faster data speeds, minimal delays, and the ability to connect far more devices and sensors. For investors it matters because building 6G will create long-term demand for new equipment, chips, software, and services—similar to upgrading from a two-lane road to a smart multi-lane highway—and can reshape which companies earn revenue as networks, devices, and applications evolve.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Wireless innovator and standards leader recognized for advancing secure, intelligent connectivity

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a wireless, video and AI technology research and development company, today announced that Samir Ferdi has been named Inventor of the Year in recognition of his sustained technical leadership, innovation, and impactful contributions to global wireless standards.

The Inventor of the Year award is presented annually to outstanding InterDigital inventors whose patented innovations, technical excellence, industry impact, and commitment to advancing global standards reflect the company’s core values as a world-class research and innovation leader.

Samir joined InterDigital in 2007 and has played a key role in advancing secure and intelligent wireless systems. His innovations span 4G and 5G technologies covering vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, device-to-device connectivity, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cellular network security – enabling use cases in smartphones, IoT devices, and connected automobiles, among other industry verticals.

“Samir represents the very best of InterDigital’s innovation culture,” said InterDigital CEO Liren Chen. “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.”

A long-standing contributor to 3GPP, Samir has been an active participant in SA3, the working group responsible for security and privacy, for the past eight years. His work focuses on ensuring next-generation networks are secure, resilient, and privacy-preserving, while addressing emerging threats as wireless systems evolve toward 6G.

With a background in software implementation and telecommunications infrastructure alongside his standards-focused research, Samir brings a unique perspective that bridges real-world deployment constraints with long-term innovation strategy. That combination has enabled him to craft solutions that are not only inventive, but also practical and standards-ready.

“InterDigital’s success is built on inventors who combine deep technical expertise with persistence and vision,” added InterDigital CTO Rajesh Pankaj. “Samir’s leadership in security, intelligent connectivity, and standards engagement exemplifies our mission to invent foundational technologies that empower our connected world.”

About InterDigital^®

InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq.

InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.

For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.

InterDigital Contact:
Roya Stephens
Email: roya.stephens@interdigital.com
+1 (202) 349-1714

FAQ

Who is Samir Ferdi and why did InterDigital (IDCC) name him 2026 Inventor of the Year?

Samir Ferdi is a longtime InterDigital researcher honored for sustained technical leadership and impactful standards contributions. According to InterDigital, his patented work spans 4G/5G V2X, device-to-device connectivity, UAVs, and cellular network security, reflecting durable industry influence since joining in 2007.

What specific technologies did Samir Ferdi contribute to that led to the IDCC Inventor of the Year award?

Ferdi contributed to V2X, device-to-device communications, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cellular network security. According to InterDigital, these innovations enable use cases in smartphones, IoT devices, and connected automobiles and influence global wireless standards development.

How long has Samir Ferdi been involved with 3GPP and which working group does he participate in?

Samir Ferdi has been an active 3GPP contributor for years and participated in SA3 for eight years. According to InterDigital, his SA3 work focuses on security and privacy for next-generation networks as systems evolve toward 6G.

What does InterDigital say the Inventor of the Year award recognizes for IDCC employees?

The award recognizes patented innovation, technical excellence, industry impact, and commitment to global standards. According to InterDigital, winners exemplify the company’s research leadership and ability to develop practical, standards-ready solutions with real-world deployment perspectives.

How does Samir Ferdi’s background support his contributions to wireless standards at IDCC?

Ferdi combines software implementation and telecommunications infrastructure experience with standards-focused research, enabling practical solutions. According to InterDigital, that blend helps craft inventive, deployable technologies that address real-world constraints while influencing global standards.