During the Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2024, Huawei hosted the 5.5G Industry Development Summit. The event brought together industry leaders to discuss the advancement of 5.5G networks and core services. Key topics included the integration of 5.5G network capabilities with Mobile AI applications aimed at boosting operators' commercial success. The summit stands as a guiding beacon for innovators and a vibrant platform where the future of connectivity is reimagined and brought to life.
James Chen, President of Carrier Business at Huawei, set the tone for the discussion with an optimistic vision for the future of AI and telecommunications. In his opening speech, he highlighted the essential requirements driving AI development and Huawei's commitment to accelerating the adoption of next-generation technologies. He stated, "With the advent of the Mobile AI era, low latency, high uplink bandwidth, and advanced autonomous driving capabilities have become the three key requirements for AI development. Huawei is committed to working with all sectors to accelerate the adoption of 5.5G through innovation, explore new opportunities in the AI era, and achieve joint business success."
Related: Global MBBF 2024: The Future of Mobile AI Through 5.5G and Connectivity
Building Deterministic 5.5G Networks for the Mobile AI Era
At the Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2024, Li Jie, President of Huawei's 5G<E TDD Product Line, addressed the growing demands placed upon network capabilities as the industry enters the Mobile AI era. In 2024, the technology landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, with artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront of this transformation. AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it is a present-day reality, seamlessly integrated into the devices we use every day.
Li emphasized that, this year, AI is rapidly expanding its reach, with over 100 types of AI-powered devices, such as smartphones, robots, and smart glasses, already available on the market. Over three million AI apps have been launched across significant platforms like Huawei's HarmonyOS. This surge in AI devices and applications is driving the shift toward AI-generated content. It transforms interactions from unimodal to multimodal, from single objects to multiple, and from confined indoor use to seamless outdoor experiences. To enable these AI interactions anytime, anywhere, networks must deliver high speeds and multi-dimensional, deterministic capabilities, with low latency and high reliability being crucial factors.
The exponential increase in AI-driven devices and applications requires high-quality, deterministic connections to support real-time, reliable interactions. With the evolution toward 5.5G, Huawei emphasizes the essential role of high-bandwidth TDD (Time Division Duplex) networks, which enable dynamic connections by integrating multi-band, multi-dimensional capabilities in speed, latency, and coverage.
TDD as the Backbone of 5.5G in the Mobile AI Era
Li stressed the unique advantages of TDD's 100 MHz bandwidth, which is ten times faster than 4G and enables networks to meet the rigorous demands of AI-driven, real-time experiences. This upgrade is essential as AI content creation expands and multimodal interactions become ubiquitous, from smart devices to robots and even augmented reality (AR) glasses. High-bandwidth, low-latency TDD networks allow for seamless, continuous connections, which is critical for these AI-driven applications. To achieve this, Huawei's extremely large antenna array (ELAA) technology enhances TDD's range and coverage, ensuring network performance reaches every corner, while also providing a solid foundation for multi-dimensional connectivity.
Expanding High-Performance Coverage with Advanced TDD Solutions
Huawei has developed a series of TDD solutions to support diverse, AI-enabled use cases. These include the M.E.P series, where each component is tailored to address different coverage and deployment needs. It represents a suite of technologies or products that cater to varying needs in a rapidly evolving 5G/5.5G environment, helping operators optimize their infrastructure for AI-powered applications and more efficient network performance:
- MetaAAU ("M") (Meta Active Antenna Unit): Provides gigabit coverage and creates a strong foundation for high-capacity networks. This technology enhances network performance by providing higher capacity and extended coverage. It uses large-scale antenna arrays to improve signal quality and efficiency, which is crucial for dense urban environments.
- EasyAAU (“E”): A lightweight, easy-to-deploy solution that reduces setup time and enhances network capacity and coverage, making it ideal for urban and suburban areas. Focused on simplifying deployment, EasyAAU integrates advanced features into a compact design, reducing the complexity and cost of network upgrades. It is particularly useful for scenarios requiring rapid deployment and lower operational overhead.
- PanoAAU ("P"): Uses wide-angle technology for air-to-ground integrated coverage, supporting low-altitude applications. This solution emphasizes panoramic coverage, ensuring consistent network performance across diverse geographical areas. It supports flexible deployments to handle complex terrains and varied user densities, delivering uniform high-quality connectivity.
Huawei also introduced BladeAAU X, the only 2A+1P hyper-integrated module in the industry, which supports multiple frequency bands with a single antenna, making it ideal for areas with limited installation space.
Together, these innovations are facilitating the push toward 5.5G networks, which promise faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced user experiences across different environments.
Enabling Multi-Dimensional Monetization with Deterministic 5.5G
Given that nearly all operators are already monetizing the growth in 5G traffic, 5.5G’s enhanced capabilities will unlock new revenue opportunities. Leading operators are already seeing double-digit revenue growth from advanced data plans that combine network, cloud, and AI capabilities. In China, for example, operators are offering differentiated 5.5G plans that cater to high-demand activities like gaming, live streaming, and business travel, capturing more high-value users by adding AI-driven experiences into their data offerings. Notably, China Mobile Beijing has launched innovative 5G-A Differentiated Experience Service for business travel, live streaming, gaming, and stadiums, driving rapid growth in both user base and revenue. Furthermore, as AI devices and apps gain popularity, operators are incorporating more AI-related privileges into their data plans to attract more high-value users.
Preparing for the Future of Mobile AI
As Li concluded, the rise of the Mobile AI era presents a vast opportunity for operators. Meeting the demand for ubiquitous, high-quality AI interactions requires a high-bandwidth TDD infrastructure with low latency and high reliability. Through ongoing advancements in TDD technologies, Huawei is empowering operators to build robust, multi-dimensional networks that will not only support the AI era but also drive sustained business growth.
He remarked, “With the Mobile AI era on the horizon, booming AI devices and apps are driving increased demand for interactions, presenting significant opportunities for operators. To seize these opportunities, operators must harness TDD’s high bandwidth and speed to build multi-dimensional and deterministic 5.5G networks. We’ll support their efforts by iterating our technologies and optimizing our TDD product portfolios. Ultimately, operators will be able to deliver premium AI interaction experience[s] and adopt a multi-dimensional monetization approach for long-term business growth in the 5G and 5.5G eras.”
Driving the 5.5G Evolution
The summit highlighted the importance of cultivating an end-to-end ecosystem that enhances terminal maturity by developing various service types, including consumer services that cater to individual users, business services that support enterprise needs, and home services that improve the domestic experience. The industry aims to drive user adoption and satisfaction by concentrating on these areas, ultimately leading to a comprehensive 5.5G experience.
More from MBBF:
Global MBBF 2024: Accelerating 5.5G and AI Convergence to Lead the Mobile AI Era
Huawei’s Li Peng: Powering a Positive 5G Business Cycle and Embracing 5.5G