Huawei's Li Peng: Paving the Way to the Era of Agent Internet with 5G-A and AI

Transforming Connectivity in the Era of Agent Internet

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, held from March 2 to 5, 2026, Li Peng, the Senior Vice President of Huawei and the head of the ICT Sales & Service division, delivered a compelling keynote focused on the future of internet connectivity powered by 5G-A and artificial intelligence (AI). He discussed the significant shift towards agent-based internet architecture, highlighting an upcoming market opportunity estimated at a staggering $10 trillion. With the evolution from 4G to 5G, operators are now entering the era where connectivity is expected to extend beyond just connecting people to seamlessly integrating agents.

Li emphasized that as network capabilities evolve, operators are positioned to redefine the value of connectivity by embracing 5G-A and AI. He stated, "This year marks our entry into the agent internet era where networks will not only connect individuals but also hundreds of billions of autonomous agents." This new paradigm will not only enhance connectivity demands but also necessitate a shift in operator business models from merely selling data transfers to offering high-value services.

The Monetization of Enhanced Connectivity

Historically, mobile operators have transitioned to offerings that go beyond basic services. Over 300 operators have launched new service bundles aimed at monetizing data transfers, yet the adoption of improved 5G technology has opened further avenues for growth. The advancements brought by 5G SA and 5G-A compel operators to innovate and monetize user experiences, leveraging factors such as speed, latency, and performance.

The ability to deliver deterministic experiences over what were once best-effort services means operators can enhance brand reputation while customers become more willing to pay for premium services. With offerings such as custom branding and multi-tier speed enhancements, performance guarantees during peak moments can significantly elevate user perception of network quality.

AI Integration Across Consumer and Business Solutions

Li articulated the various ways in which operators can innovate their core offerings using AI. With billions of users relying on communication services, integrating AI can transform traditional services like transcription and real-time translation into valuable user experiences. China and South Korea are already implementing AI-driven telecommunications on a commercial scale, with many operators unveiling AI-enabled devices as gateways into the agent internet era.

For households, AI presents opportunities for smart home services. The introduction of ultra-gigabit home broadband can be complemented with AI that ensures stable speeds for critical applications like gaming and live streaming. Network assistants can optimize Wi-Fi performance, paving the way for further integration of AI in lifestyle services, such as automatically generating and sharing family albums across devices.

Business applications of the 5G-A and AI convergence can lead to significant improvements in production efficiency. For instance, factories equipped with AI can rapidly respond to market demand, optimize production schedules, and introduce new products in record time. The implications for industries are vast, promising a new level of operational agility.

Vision and Strategy Ahead

Looking forward, Li urged operators to recognize the myriad opportunities waiting to be tapped into through the convergence of 5G-A and AI. He outlined three strategic paths for operators: first, migrate all services, devices, and frequencies to 5G-A to ensure a thriving network ecosystem; second, integrate AI technologies across business operations and management to develop diversified Operation & Maintenance services; and third, embed intelligence into network infrastructure to support future architecture development.

"Huawei stands ready to assist operators in maximizing their capabilities through 5G-A and AI, evolving them into AI service providers," Li added. This collaborative approach can enhance primary services while establishing AI-focused networks aimed at operational efficiency, exploring new market potentials, and laying the groundwork for the future of connectivity.

The 2026 MWC Barcelona marks a decisive moment in the telecommunications industry, as enterprises and operators come together to explore the full potential of 5G technology and prepare for the transition to 6G. As new AI-centric network solutions evolve, they promise to usher in a fully intelligent future, revolutionizing connectivity as we know it.