As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the convergence of 5.5G and artificial intelligence (AI) is opening new possibilities in mobile connectivity, and this year’s Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2024 (MBBF 2024), held in Istanbul, Türkiye, is at the center of these discussions. Hosted by Huawei with support from GSMA and GTI, the two-day event highlights the theme “5.5G Leads Mobile AI Era,” bringing together industry leaders, network operators, and vertical industry players. With a spotlight on the integration of 5.5G networks and AI, the forum aims to uncover how these technologies can drive innovation across various sectors, from business to consumer applications.
The deployment of 5.5G, also known as “New 5G,” offers substantial improvements over existing 5G networks, including enhanced speed, latency, and capacity. Coupled with AI’s ability to analyze data and optimize systems in real-time, 5.5G stands as a crucial technology in shaping the Mobile AI era.
Huawei’s Rotating Chairman, Ken Hu, opened the forum by emphasizing AI’s transformative potential in mobile connectivity. According to Hu, mobile networks have historically played a significant role in making digital services accessible to everyone, and AI will take this a step further, enabling new applications for users across various devices and environments. “In the future, AI will change everything. Everyone will be able to use it, anytime and anywhere,” said Hu, setting a vision of AI as an integral part of everyday life.
The mobile AI era is not only about enhancing connectivity but also about creating new business models and interactions. Li Peng, Huawei’s Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service, highlighted the significance of these developments in his keynote, where he detailed the structural changes the industry can expect in traffic patterns, device interaction, and intelligent service delivery. According to Li, this new phase brings opportunities for telecom providers and device manufacturers to reshape their offerings, maximizing customer engagement through personalized AI-driven experiences.
Li outlined two primary ways carriers can capitalize on these opportunities. First, networks should be upgraded to support AI capabilities, prioritizing enhancements in uplink, latency, and network capacity. Second, AI itself can support network management through automation, ensuring optimal performance and improving the user experience. Leading carriers worldwide are already deploying AI on live 5.5G networks, leveraging its capabilities across varied scenarios—from personalized services for individual users to smart infrastructure for industries.
The MBBF 2024 includes a robust display of AI-powered connectivity solutions that cater to diverse needs across multiple domains, including homes, vehicles, industries, and personal devices. Attendees are offered hands-on experiences with state-of-the-art AI devices, such as AI-enabled phones, wearables, intelligent cockpits for vehicles, and augmented reality (AR) glasses. Each demo showcases how AI can create highly personalized user interactions, real-time translation, and advanced human-device engagement.
Part of the appeal of 5.5G and AI lies in their potential to support multiple vertical industries, from smart cities and manufacturing to healthcare and transportation. Intelligent applications like digital human interfaces and AI-generated content (AIGC) are examples of how these technologies can reshape user engagement in various fields. These solutions demonstrate how, with the support of 5.5G, AI can provide not only efficiency but also richer, more interactive experiences for users.
Beyond showcasing technological advancements, MBBF 2024 serves as a collaborative platform for industry stakeholders to discuss the future of mobile AI. By aligning with the achievements of 5G, 5.5G promises to build on an already robust foundation, accelerating growth in areas such as automation, network efficiency, and user experience enhancement.
One of the core themes explored at MBBF 2024 is how stakeholders can achieve commercial success in the 5.5G landscape. The key to this success, according to industry experts, lies in leveraging AI’s ability to analyze vast datasets, optimize network performance, and deliver adaptive services tailored to user needs. By transforming operations and creating new business models, telecom providers can ensure their services remain relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
As the Mobile AI era unfolds, the convergence of 5.5G and AI represents a transformative step for mobile networks and consumer experiences. By collaborating with ecosystem partners and harnessing these technologies, telecom providers and industry leaders can drive a future of seamless, intelligent connectivity that is accessible, efficient, and innovative.
Looking ahead, MBBF 2024 has set the stage for further development in the mobile AI space. As Huawei, GSMA, GTI, and other partners continue to advance these initiatives, they will likely pave the way for a new generation of intelligent applications that not only improve connectivity but also empower users and industries to achieve more with AI-enhanced, 5.5G-enabled technology. For more information, please visit MBBF2024 at: https://www.huawei.com/en/events/mbbf2024.
