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Huawei's Call for AI Accessibility at MWC Barcelona 2026

During the MWC Barcelona 2026 event, Yang Chaobin, the CEO of Huawei's ICT Business Group, made a powerful plea for the technical community to accelerate efforts in making artificial intelligence (AI) accessible to everyone. He emphasized the urgent need for the industry to harness the rapid advances in AI technology to ensure no one is left behind.

In his keynote speech, Chaobin pointed out that we are on the cusp of a smart era, where new AI applications are emerging daily. He stressed the importance of collaboration within the industry to unlock the full potential of 5G-Advanced technologies and called for effective utilization of new spectrum resources, such as U6 GHz, to not only facilitate the transition to 6G but also to create new values for the sector.

As AI applications, from text-to-video services to AI-assisted shopping, proliferate, the demand for tokens has surged dramatically—up to 300 times over the past two years. Yang believes this surge presents extraordinary opportunities for the mobile sector, but it also highlights significant gaps that need to be addressed. For instance, networks must evolve from a solely downlink-oriented model to one that offers ultra-high bandwidth in both uplink and downlink scenarios to support multi-modal data exchange between devices, AI, and the cloud.

Moreover, networks must ensure low-latency connections that facilitate real-time AI collaboration and smart decision-making processes. Yang noted that the standardization of 6G is currently underway, with expectations set for the finalization by March 2029, according to 3GPP. He indicated that if operators invest effectively in 5G-Advanced capabilities, the next five years could witness an explosion in mobile AI services, unlocking further value for the industry.

This mid-generation leap between 5G and 6G is already vital due to its capabilities such as tenfold uplink speeds, exceptional AI service experiences, and innovative IoT solutions like reduced capacity (RedCap) and passive IoT technologies.

As of now, 5G-Advanced has been deployed commercially on a significant scale in over 300 cities worldwide, and its usage is expanding across all frequency bands. To maximize the capabilities of 5G-Advanced, particularly in regions with limited C-band resources, more new and reallocated spectrum resources are essential. The U6 GHz band has been identified as key in realizing this network potential. Following extensive discussions at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), U6 GHz has been earmarked as a core frequency band for future mobile communications. Currently, 5G-Advanced supports U6 GHz, and the industry supply chain for mainstream device chips and 5G-Advanced equipment is becoming increasingly mature, meaning that 5G-Advanced is ready for large-scale commercial deployment.

Yang urged all stakeholders in the telecom industry to collaborate on solutions using frequency bands like 5G-Advanced and U6 GHz to meet the burgeoning demand for AI services. One of Yang's critical messages centered on the urgent need for the industry to tackle global inequalities in digital access. According to GSMA data, over 300 million people currently lack access to mobile broadband networks. Despite significant efforts over the past twenty years to close this digital divide, the rapid growth of AI seems to be exacerbating the issue.

Stronger digital inclusion initiatives and continuous innovations are necessary to address this challenge. Yang encouraged a deeper exploration into inclusive connectivity strategies, including diversified frequency band combinations and more cost-effective solution designs. Huawei itself has launched innovative and scenario-specific solutions, like its RuralStar initiatives, providing inclusive mobile access to 170 million people across 80 countries and launching various other outreach programs. These include DigiTruck classrooms offering digital skills training to students in rural Kenya, inclusive financial services for residents in rural Bangladesh, and mobile health services for villages in Argentina.

Wrapping up his address, Yang invited all industry players to continue collaborating to meet the urgent needs of emerging AI services and to facilitate the large-scale adoption of commercial 5G-Advanced, paving the pathway to 6G. MWC Barcelona 2026 unfolds from March 2 to March 5 in Barcelona, Spain, where Huawei is showcasing its latest products and solutions at Booth 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.

As we move into the era of intelligent networks, the commercial adoption of 5G-Advanced is accelerating. Huawei is actively collaborating with operators and partners worldwide to unlock the full potential of 5G-Advanced and encourage a seamless transition to 6G. Additionally, the company is developing AI-centered network solutions that facilitate the deployment of Level-4 autonomous networks (AN L4) at scale and leverage AI to improve core business operations. Together with other industry participants, Huawei aims to create intelligent, value-driven networks and AI computing infrastructures for a fully integrated future.

For more information, please visit Huawei's MWC 2026 page.