#Spain #Huawei #Barcelona #5G-A #Yang Chaobin

Enhancing Value in Mobile Networks: A Vision for the Future

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 held in Barcelona, Yang Chaobin, the CEO of Huawei's ICT Business Group, delivered a compelling keynote addressing the pressing need for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry to enhance its collaboration. His emphatic call for industry-wide efforts drew attention to the potential of 5G-Advanced (5G-A) in enabling rapid access to artificial intelligence (AI) services for all users.

In his address, Yang outlined the transformative potential of 5G-A, stating, "The era of intelligence is fast approaching. New applications of AI are emerging daily, and now is the time for the industry to come together to unlock the full potential of 5G-A." By leveraging newly available spectrum resources, he highlighted how the industry can create fresh value, paving the way toward the forthcoming 6G network.

As AI applications grow in popularity — from generating video content based on text inputs to facilitating AI-driven shopping experiences — the consumption of digital tokens is soaring. In fact, the past two years have seen a staggering 300-fold increase in daily token utilization. This rapid growth creates significant opportunities for the mobile telecommunications sector, as Yang pointed out. However, he also identified critical gaps that need to be addressed to maintain this momentum.

Addressing the Gaps in Network Capabilities

One of Yang's key concerns was the need for networks to evolve beyond traditional downward-focused connections. To support multimodal data exchanges between devices and the cloud, networks must offer ultra-high bandwidth capacities for both upload and download channels. Furthermore, in order to enable real-time AI collaboration and intelligent decision-making, there is a paramount need for networks to provide secure and reliable connectivity with ultra-low latency.

As the industry gears up for 6G standardization, which is expected to finalize by March 2029 according to 3GPP, Yang emphasized that the next five years would be crucial. If telecom operators invest wisely in 5G-A, it can create vast opportunities both for a boom in mobile AI services and the generation of new industry value. This key transition from 5G to 6G is already vital as it delivers tenfold increases in upload speeds, enhancing the AI-service experience and introducing breakthroughs in IoT technologies like Reduced Capability (RedCap) and passive IoT.

Currently, 5G-A is commercially implemented in over 300 cities globally, with its deployment covering various frequency bands. However, to optimize 5G-A's functionality in regions with limited C-band resources, novel spectrum reformatting is needed. The U6 GHz band is poised to be a game-changer in unlocking the full potential of this network. Following extensive discussions at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), U6 GHz has been recognized as a key frequency range for future mobile communications. Since 5G-A is already compatible with U6 GHz, this positions it for large-scale commercial deployment.

Yang urged all stakeholders within the telecommunications domain to collaborate more effectively on 5G-A and frequency scopes such as U6 GHz, which will be crucial in meeting the growing demand for AI services.

Closing the Digital Divide

Another pressing theme of Yang's presentation was the urgent need to address global digital access disparities. Approximately 300 million individuals currently lack mobile broadband access, according to GSMA data. Despite the telecommunications industry’s concerted efforts over the past two decades to mitigate this digital divide, the rapid escalation of AI technology appears to exacerbate the issue.

To foster digital inclusivity, stronger incentives and continuous innovation are necessary. Yang advocated for further exploration of inclusive connectivity strategies, including diversified frequency combinations and design approaches that enhance cost-effectiveness. Huawei has taken initiatives like the innovative RuralStar solution, which provides mobile connectivity to 170 million people across 80 countries, as well as a variety of supportive programs aimed at inclusiveness. These include DigiTruck classes to teach digital skills to rural students in Kenya, inclusive financial services for rural communities in Bangladesh, and mobile health services in Argentine villages.

In conclusion, Yang called upon all industry actors to persist in their efforts toward the widespread commercial rollout of 5G-A, meeting the urgent demands of new AI services while paving the way toward 6G. MWC Barcelona 2026, taking place from March 2 to 5, showcases Huawei’s latest products and solutions at booth 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. The era of agency networks is rapidly approaching, and large-scale commercial deployment of 5G-A is gaining momentum. Huawei is committed to collaborating with operators and partners worldwide to realize the full potential of 5G-A while preparing for the transition to 6G, focusing on creating AI-driven network solutions that will sustain intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NE), speeding up the large-scale rollout of fourth-level autonomous networks (AN L4), and utilizing AI to uplift business operations. Together with other industry leaders, we aim to establish network ecosystems and computing pathways that are value-oriented, ensuring readiness for a truly intelligent future.