Unlocking 5G Network Potential with AI: Insights from Huawei's Li Peng at MWC 2025

At the Mobile World Congress 2025 held in Barcelona, Huawei's Senior Vice President Li Peng took center stage, presenting a pivotal address on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock the full potential of 5G networks. His insights revealed how telecom operators can achieve remarkable growth in both user data consumption and average revenue per user through the integration of AI technologies and 5G advancements.

The Era of Intelligent Networks

Li Peng emphasized that we are entering an era of fully intelligent networks where the demand for smart applications is evolving rapidly, thus placing new pressures on network capabilities. "The adoption and development of 5G is pivotal in unlocking the endless possibilities of mobile networks," he stated. Huawei is poised to collaborate with global operators and industrial partners to bolster digital transformation, strengthen network foundations, and implement AI across various platforms.

AI is revolutionizing the human-machine interaction landscape, transitioning from simple text exchanges to more sophisticated modalities including voice and gestures. This shift prompts the need for networks to guarantee low latency, as users increasingly expect seamless experiences from their devices. For example, interactions through AI-based voice assistants have become more natural, facilitating better communication between users and their devices, thereby enhancing productivity and accessibility.

To support such innovative applications, networks must evolve from 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) configurations to Standalone (SA) and eventually to the advanced 5G-A. New technologies such as Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS) and Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) can help operators minimize latency and ensure deterministic response times for specific scenarios.

Transforming Content Creation and Distribution with AI

Li also discussed how AI is poised to transform content production and distribution, illustrating examples such as Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC), which enables the creation of extensive 2D and 3D videos at the click of a button. AI now offers personalized recommendations more effectively than ever, opening pathways for more tailored online content delivery.

These advancements are expected to cause a massive surge in network traffic over the next five years, demanding operators to expand their spectrum, enhance network capacity, and increase bandwidth for both uplink and downlink scenarios. The anticipated rise in AI-based applications will necessitate user experience-oriented network coverage, particularly as the demand for cloud-based services continues to surge.

The Demand for Enhanced Network Coverage

According to predictions, by 2030, over a billion people will rely on cloud technologies, necessitating quick access to cloud computing resources. AI-driven smart applications, especially in vehicles, will require uninterrupted connectivity in urban, highway, and rural settings, further driving the need for robust network coverage.

Achieving these goals will entail consistent progression in network deployments, evolving from the rapid expansion of 5G NSA to 5G SA for optimized operations, ultimately leading to 5G-A networks that are tailored for the user experience. This evolution will be crucial in accommodating the escalating connections expected from both users and IoT devices.

Embracing Application-Oriented Operations

As the complexity of networks increases, AI will push operators towards operational models that prioritize application-oriented strategies. Innovative agents based on AI are already being developed to enhance operational efficiency, allowing for predictive maintenance and faster service rollouts. These advancements will significantly reduce issue resolution times and optimize network performance according to application requirements.

Leading market participants are accelerating their deployments of 5G-A solutions to catalyze new monetization opportunities within the AI-driven landscape. Li remarked, "New network capabilities will give rise to new business models," underscoring the potential for operators to monetize not only traffic but also the user experiences themselves.

Operators across the globe are actively exploring how to monetize user experiences based on various parameters, including speed, latency, and exclusive benefits for high-value clientele. Collaborative partnerships are emerging, exemplified by Chinese operators working with over 100 industries to offer AI-driven services through open API interfaces, resulting in a tenfold increase in revenue from these sectors.

The Time to Act is Now

Li concluded with a compelling call to action, stating, "The opportunities are vast, and the time to act is now." With pioneering efforts expanding rapidly across more than 200 cities worldwide, the telecom sector stands on the cusp of revealing immense new values through strategic advancements in network capabilities.

The Mobile World Congress 2025 is taking place from March 3rd to 6th in Barcelona, where Huawei showcases its latest solutions at booth 1H50 in Hall Fira Gran Via 1. In 2025, the pace of commercial deployments of 5G-Advanced will accelerate, fundamentally reshaping operators' businesses, infrastructure, and operational strategies. Together with global partners, Huawei is committed to pioneering the transition towards a truly intelligent world. For further details, you can visit Huawei's event page.