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GSMA Unveils New AI Calling Specifications at MWC 2026

At the much-anticipated 5G Futures Summit, GSMA revealed groundbreaking advancements in AI caller experiences for native applications during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona. The white paper titled Gigauplink, Deterministic Latency, and Network Evolution for the Mobile AI Era outlines essential trends, application scenarios, and business models that are reshaping the mobile communications landscape.

The GSMA's white paper emphasizes that mobile communication has entered a new era due to the synergy between 5G technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Traditional voice calls are evolving into AI-powered calling services, enabling operators to transform their native voice services. By integrating advanced AI algorithms and computational power into the native IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) voice network, the industry is moving from basic voice calls to enriched services and innovative applications. This evolution promises next-generation user experiences that are more stable, high-definition, and intelligent.

Enhancing User Experience through AI

New AI calling services, including immersive and interactive voice communications, are raising the bar for network connectivity and AI functionalities. One striking example is AI-based noise cancellation, which uses advanced algorithms to reduce ambient noise in various environments, thereby facilitating clearer communication. This technology can be especially useful in noisy settings like offices, streets, and construction sites. Users can enjoy high-quality voice services without relying solely on specialized devices.

Additionally, AI-powered real-time translation capabilities promise to break longstanding language barriers. This feature enables accurate speech transcription or translation during video calls, which is invaluable for international business professionals, tourists, and individuals with hearing impairments participating in international online meetings.

Business Model Transformation

According to the insights shared in the white paper, operators can enhance their business models by integrating AI capabilities into native voice services. Subscribers can access AI-driven enhanced features while making traditional calls, facilitating a shift from a one-dimensional monetization of traffic to a multi-dimensional monetization of customer experiences. This transition not only enriches user interactions but also fosters financial growth for service providers.

However, measuring user experience in AI calling scenarios presents a new challenge for operators. The white paper systematically outlines specifications for an AI Calling Experience Evaluation Model. In addition to the traditional quality indicators of HD voice services—Quality of Experience (QoE), Quality of Service (QoS), and Coverage—three new indicators have been introduced: AI Immersive Experiences, AI Interactive Experiences, and Quality of Intelligence (QoI).

Immersive calls can significantly enhance user experiences. For instance, metrics for Mean Opinion Score (MOS) and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) are expected to show notable improvements. Interactive calls require networks to be equipped with new interaction channels and functions, including data channels and video channels, enabling enhanced experiences such as screen sharing, real-time translation, and interaction with agents. QoI serves as a vital indication of network intelligence, incorporating high-quality AI models, flexible AI management, user status detection, decision-making mechanisms, and comprehensive AI service features. Adopting these metrics can greatly enhance network reliability and voice quality.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has initiated a project called P.AI-MOS to assess user experiences with multimodal AI applications, while proposals for standards relating to AI calling experiences are still under research. In an effort to expedite the development of this evaluation model, GSMA and its industry partners are calling for collaborative efforts to establish rules that correlate the key quality indicators of AI applications with the key performance indicators of networks. This initiative aims to accelerate the formulation of standards for mobile AI service experiences and to bolster the progress of the AI industry.

In summary, the GSMA's commitment to transparency and innovation at MWC 2026 positions it at the forefront of redefining the future of mobile communications. As AI continues to evolve, we can anticipate a dynamic shift in how we interact through voice services, setting the stage for an exciting era in mobile technology.