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Advancements in Net5.5G at MWC Barcelona 2025

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona this March was the stage for an exceptional gathering of industry leaders at the Broadband Development Congress (BDC), orchestrated by the Wide Bandwidth Broadband Alliance (WBBA). With over 200 notable figures from around the globe in attendance, the congress delved into the central theme of "Intelligent Broadband: Investment, Innovation, and Intelligence."

In his keynote speech, Ryan Qiu, Vice President of Huawei's Data Communication Product Line, emphasized the burgeoning integration of artificial intelligence within operators' strategies. This trend is propelled by advancements in Net5.5G, a critical catalyst for merging network capabilities with AI-driven innovations. To address the increasing demand for efficient network solutions, Huawei unveiled its AI WAN—a groundbreaking system designed to enhance IP networks in the Net5.5G era. This solution not only unlocks new network value across various settings, including individual, residential, and enterprise environments, but also paves the way for future-proofed technological infrastructures.

Throughout the congress, representatives from key organizations such as the WBBA, IPv6 Forum, ITU, and IETF reached a consensus on the evolution of next-generation networks during an informal dialogue. The discussions affirmed Net5.5G as a unified vision for the industry, marking significant progress in industrial development, policy formulation, and commercial practices. Industry leaders underscored the importance of sustained collaboration and joint efforts to facilitate the commercial success of Net5.5G, thereby steering the sustainable growth of the Internet landscape.

The collaborative efforts of the WBBA, IPv6 Forum, ITU, IETF, and NIDA have led to the establishment of a structured mechanism for next-gen network cooperation. While the WBBA and IPv6 Forum work to galvanize industry consensus, the ITU-T investigates the future necessities of the network, the IETF leads the development of network technology standards, and NIDA sets forth network construction norms to aid technological adoption.

Significant milestones within the Global Net5.5G Pioneer Program have been reported, showcasing the latest advancements from the initiative. Notably, several key pioneers of Net5.5G have emerged globally, including 18 visionary pioneers, 2 regional pioneers, and 18 commercial pioneers. Operators shared their implementation experiences and successes related to Net5.5G business operations. For instance, Spanish integrated operator MasOrange is developing a converged IP network that boasts growth capacity, a superior user experience, and intention-based automation. Features such as 400GE/800GE and SRv6 + slicing meet traffic demands and support the rollout of new services, including edge computing. Drawing upon their Network Digital Map and aided by AI, MasOrange aims to advance towards AN L4, heralding a new phase in intelligent evolution.

As part of the event, the WBBA released the "Net5.5G Best Practices Deployment Guide Whitepaper." This document elucidates global best practices for Net5.5G, offering invaluable insights and inspiration for stakeholders within the industry. As Net5.5G continues to evolve, the WBBA calls upon global industry organizations to enhance collaborative efforts and jointly drive innovations concerning technical standards, policy-making, and commercial practices, all aimed at fostering a vibrant data communications ecosystem.

This event at MWC Barcelona 2025 not only marked a significant stepping stone for Net5.5G but also set the tone for future developments across the telecommunications industry. As the world witnesses the unfolding of 5G technology transitions, initiatives like Net5.5G will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of connectivity and technological advancement.