SideLink in 5G NR

Hello everyone,

I’m researching the implementation of Sidelink in 5G NR, particularly in commercial terminals or industrial modules that have already tested this functionality in real-world environments. We know that 3GPP introduced Sidelink in Release 16, with enhancements in R17 and R18, but so far, most deployments seem to focus on vehicles (V2X), industrial IoT, and private networks.

I’m interested in learning whether there are pilot projects or tests with smartphones, IoT modules, or industrial devices that have activated Sidelink in scenarios such as:
- Direct communication (D2D) without a mobile network

- Coverage extension via Sidelink Relay

- Support for positioning in private networks (RTT, OTDOA, AoA/AoD) (SideLink enhancement)

So far, I have identified some modems supporting Sidelink, such as Qualcomm Snapdragon X65/X70, Mediatek Dimensity 9200, and Autotalks V2X, but it is unclear whether any commercial 5G terminals or modules have effectively implemented this functionality.

Does anyone have experience with pilot projects, lab testing, or field deployments of this technology? Any insights into ongoing projects or details on activating Sidelink in current devices would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for sharing information!