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Huawei's Innovations at MWC Shanghai 2026

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Shanghai this year, Huawei made waves by introducing a series of groundbreaking innovations aimed at helping global telecom operators monetize tokens through an enhanced integration of services, networks, and computing resources. These new advancements come at a crucial time when the industry is evolving rapidly, and Huawei's motto, "Advancing All Intelligence," perfectly encapsulates its vision for the future of telecommunications.

David Wang, Huawei's Deputy Chairman, delivered a keynote speech highlighting how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping mobile networks and setting the stage for growth in the upcoming decade. Over the last 40 years, mobile technology innovations have transitioned from one generation to the next, significantly contributing to the industry's success. Wang emphasized that with each generation, there have been advancements in spectral efficiency and performance, ultimately simplifying network architectures and creating a plethora of new use cases and services.

As we stand on the brink of intelligent technology, six key requirements will pave the way for sustained growth in the telecommunications sector: 1) Development of next-generation mobile communication services and features; 2) Integration of AI into mobile communications to establish three distinct intelligence levels; 3) Creation of a network architecture for integrated satellite and terrestrial communication; 4) Promotion of sustainable, future-oriented frequency spectrum planning; 5) Clear definition of core network specifications tailored for AI; and 6) Exploration of new business models and use cases for mobile services.

During the event, Huawei presented a wide array of innovations in collaboration with the three largest telecom operators in China, focusing on high-speed data transmission and monetizing user experiences. The company has launched an AI-targeted network aimed at enhancing operators' competitiveness in monetizing both bytes and tokens. This AI-centered communication network represents a significant shift from a traffic-focused architecture to one that emphasizes real-time interaction, hence guaranteeing users a reliable connection.

Huawei’s AI infrastructure underscores high performance and efficiency, supporting open-source software and ecosystems. Currently, more than 100 million users worldwide have adopted 5G-A services, and Huawei is collaborating with operators to enhance the monetization of these services, integrating them into existing customer bases to retain high and mid-range users while increasing the average revenue per user (ARPU).

A key characteristic of the operator's network infrastructure in the age of token monetization is high uplink capacity. The demands for data transmission in mobile AI are growing at an unprecedented rate. AI glasses are now being used for translation and exploring exhibitions through real-time multimodal interaction, requiring data uplink speeds of around 20 Mbps. This year, major operators worldwide are rapidly exploring commercial services that offer high-speed data uplink through various technologies, ensuring top-tier speeds, low latency, and universal rates from users to networks.

The surge of AI agents is expected to drive the explosive growth of token-based services, necessitating ultra-broadband networks that support high-speed data uploading, reliability, and low latency. The frequency band above 6 GHz (U6 GHz) is heralded as the "golden" spectrum for these next-generation networks, with stakeholders across the industry preparing for its roll-out. In a global context, over 20 countries and regions have explicitly allocated U6 GHz spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), covering nearly 80% of the world's population. The year 2026 is set to mark the commercial debut of the U6 GHz band, with the first-ever 5G-A network operational in this spectrum projected to launch in the Middle East. Several operators in Hong Kong and Macao are also gearing up for commercial deployments using U6 GHz.

Looking ahead, Huawei has confirmed its commitment to collaborating with operators in regions such as Guangdong, Shanghai, and Hebei to revamp B2C and B2H services leveraging AI, crafting compelling offerings that revive token consumption in areas such as smart home assistants and integrated consumer and home services. On the B2B front, Huawei intends to partner with telecom operators to provide AI-based computing services focusing on integrating computational capabilities with networks, opening up new avenues for business growth.

Huawei aspires to lead the innovation of AI in autonomous networks, focusing on developing specialized intelligence that can lay the groundwork for Level 4 autonomous networks. This year, Huawei plans to work alongside operators to deploy domain-specific smart solutions across various domains, including wireless and transmission networks, in key regions. The resulting synergy in maintenance, optimization, energy efficiency, and user experience will not only heighten network quality but improve network efficiency, enabling operators to offer specialized products tailored for diverse scenarios such as high-speed railways, event venues, and university campuses—fostering a new wave of network development.