#Spain #Huawei #Barcelona #5G-A #Li Peng

Accelerating into the Age of Agentic Internet

At the MWC Barcelona 2026, Li Peng, Senior Vice President of Huawei, delivered a compelling speech that highlighted the immense potential of 5G-A and artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing connectivity. The theme of his address focused on how operators can leverage these technologies to maximize value and lead the transition into an era defined by agentic internet.

Li Peng remarked, "This year marks our entry into the age of agentic internet. Networks will not only connect people but also hundreds of billions of agents." This statement encapsulates a significant shift in the telecommunications landscape, where connectivity is no longer confined to human interaction but is expanded to encompass a vast ecosystem of intelligent devices and systems.

The $10 Trillion Opportunity

As the mobile industry evolves from 4G to 5G, a select number of operators are already adopting 5G-A. The potency of these networks allows for advanced applications across various devices. The growth of agentic applications is expected to drive an exponential increase in connectivity demands over the next decade, leading operators to transition from merely providing traffic to offering high-value services. This transformation taps into a new market with an estimated value of $10 trillion.

Business Model Evolution

The evolution of network capabilities necessitates a fresh approach to business models within the telecommunications sector. In the seven years since the introduction of 5G, over 300 operators globally have launched new packages aimed at monetizing traffic, spurring revenue growth and expanding their user base.

With ongoing advancements in 5G networks, the emphasis on experience monetization is becoming crucial for operator success. 5G standalone (5G SA) and 5G-A offer diversified network resources, enabling over 30 leading operators to introduce experience-based packages that monetize speed, latency, and customer satisfaction. This dynamic resource planning allows operators to transcend the traditional 'best-effort' service model, delivering deterministic experiences that enhance brand reputation and attract premium subscribers by guaranteeing network performance during critical periods.

AI Integration for Enhanced Services

Li Peng also outlined how operators could fundamentally transform their core services and boost customer satisfaction through AI integration. For consumers, AI can be incorporated into traditional calling services. With 5.4 billion global voice service users, features like transcription, translation, and AI assistants can significantly enhance user experiences. These enhancements have already seen widespread commercialization in regions like China and South Korea.

In addition, operators are launching AI-enabled smartphones as gateways to the agentic era, enriching their B2C services, which serve as the main revenue source for many operators.

For home internet services, AI is being employed to enhance ultra-gigabit broadband, enabling smart home functionalities. AI-driven assistants can ensure deterministic performance for critical services like gaming and live streaming, while network assistants help users optimize Wi-Fi and troubleshoot connectivity issues through voice commands.

In the industrial sector, the convergence of 5G-A and AI can revolutionize primary workflows and significantly boost productivity. For instance, AI-equipped factories will be able to respond to demand shifts within seconds, schedule production cycles in mere minutes, and deliver new products within hours.

A New Vision for Future Growth

Looking ahead, Li Peng expressed optimism about the myriad opportunities enabled by 5G-A and AI. He advised operators to evolve their services, devices, and frequency bands towards 5G-A to foster a dynamic network ecosystem. Furthermore, he encouraged the integration of AI across business operations and management domains to lay the groundwork for diversified maintenance services.

Li emphasized the importance of embedding AI into infrastructure to support the evolution of future network architectures. "Huawei is ready to work closely with operators to harness the full potential of 5G-A and AI, helping them evolve into AI service providers," Li concluded.

The MWC Barcelona 2026, taking place from March 2-5, will see Huawei unveil its latest products and solutions at booth 1H50 in Fira Gran Via, Pavilion 1. As the age of agentic networks draws near, Huawei is actively collaborating with operators and global partners to unlock the full spectrum of 5G-A's potential, paving the way towards 6G and developing AI-centric network solutions. Together, with industry partners, they aim to build high-performance networks tailored for value-driven intelligent infrastructure.