Shanghai: At Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2025, China Unicom Beijing and Huawei announced a strategic collaboration to upgrade 5G-A network infrastructure and accelerate the evolution from basic “connection pipes” to sophisticated “intelligent platforms.”
Yang Lifan, Deputy General Manager of China Unicom Beijing, delivered a keynote speech titled “Are We Ready for AI?” during the 5G-A Industry Roundtable, emphasizing the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on communications networks. The newly unveiled Smart Operation Network 2.0 aims to integrate ICT innovations for smarter, more automated network operations.
With the rapid rise of mobile AI applications such as human-level interactions, autonomous driving, and the industrial Internet of Things (IoT), network traffic is expected to increase dramatically. For instance, cloud-based AI training and HD video uploads demand uplink speeds exceeding 20 Mbps, pushing live network traffic to potentially five times today’s levels.
This collaboration marks a key step toward meeting the growing demands of the AI-driven era through enhanced network capabilities and innovative solutions.
