Huawei and SOLUM Unveil Smart Converged Network Solution at MWC 2026

During the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on March 6, 2026, Huawei and SOLUM made a significant announcement regarding their latest collaboration. The duo unveiled the Smart Converged Network Solution for retail environments, known as Shop-in-Shop (SiS). This innovative solution integrates a unified retail infrastructure, combining both digital infrastructure and Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs), to create an efficient, scalable, and cost-effective architecture for global retailers.

In the face of increasing competition in the retail sector, establishing a robust technological framework is imperative for businesses seeking to optimize their operations. The SiS solution addresses this need by providing an all-encompassing platform designed specifically for retailers situated in high-traffic areas such as shopping malls, airports, train stations, and exhibition centers. Its seamless integration of SOLUM's ESL Newton technology with digital signage guarantees a cohesive shopping experience while enabling real-time content updates.

Hoy-Jin Lee, Senior Vice President of SOLUM Europe, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating that their previous work on IoT access convergence laid a strong foundation for this advanced solution. The SiS has been specially crafted to cater to the needs of businesses operating in temporary setups, restaurants, and specialized brand stores. With its unique device configuration, retailers can manage their operations through a single gateway, enhancing the system's simplicity and scalability.

The SiS solution employs a unified gateway compatible with LTE, Wi-Fi, and ESL, significantly reducing the need for dedicated ESL access points. By supporting pre-integrated and immediate deployments as well as secure, independent network architecture, retailers can potentially cut their total cost of ownership (TCO) by up to 55%, while larger establishments could experience savings of up to 33%.

As retailers aim to streamline and enhance their operations, the SiS solution offers effortless digital touchpoints without relying on extensive infrastructure. This allows central management of all aspects, providing a valuable tool for businesses looking to maintain accuracy and responsiveness in their promotions across multiple locations in real time.

The adaptability of this innovative solution is one of its key features. As the retail environment continues to evolve, the SiS demonstrates an impressive response time, allowing retailers to synchronize promotional updates instantaneously across all their stores regardless of location. Lee emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "With this comprehensive infrastructure platform, we can help retailers significantly reduce operational costs while enhancing their overall efficiency."

The introduction of the Smart Converged Network Solution is a crucial component of Huawei's intelligent retail strategy. Looking ahead, the company plans to foster its collaboration with SOLUM, exploring the integration of artificial intelligence applications in retail settings, further diving into the retail sector, and accelerating the digital transformation within the industry.

The SiS solution not only showcases the melding of modern technology with retail operations but also signifies a shift towards innovation-driven business models. As retailers continue to embrace digital transformation, solutions like the SiS will play an essential role in shaping the future of shopping experiences.

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