2024 is proving to be another monumental year in the history of mobile communications, and is chiefly centered on two things: the commercial rollout of 5.5G, and the growing popularity of GenAI. Together, they are creating a “Mobile AI” era, with 5.5G serving as the foundation for delivering differentiated, immersive, and smart mobile experiences.
What will the Mobile AI era be like? Currently, there’s no definite answer to this question, but some visionaries have explored the possibilities for themselves. From mobile network operators to Internet technology giants, they are already taking action by building 5.5G networks, bringing intelligence into networks, and looking into new 5.5G x Mobile AI applications and business opportunities. In light of this, the Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2024 (MBBF 2024) is arriving just in time. From October 30 to 31, ICT thought leaders from across the globe will meet in Istanbul, Türkiye and discuss new opportunities of and new approaches to capitalize 5G and 5.5G in the era of Mobile AI.
In the Mobile AI Era, Networks Must Be Solid for the Booming Mobile AI Applications
From AI assistants to autonomous driving, Mobile AI applications have been inching into people’s lives over the past few years, and are now emerging as the norm.
Following the phenomenal success of ChatGPT, AI assistants based on foundation models have been mushrooming. An increasing number of these assistants are appearing on devices like smartphones, tablets, and PCs where they can function as AI agents and run multiple tasks at any given time. Autonomous driving is also now close to becoming easily accessible to the general public, as it advances beyond highways and urban areas to achieve full autonomy.
Networks are essential to all intelligent applications. For example, AIGC drawing and multi-modal AI assistants require at least 20 Mbps uplink and downlink bandwidth to realize the real-time transmission of image and voice data, in addition to low end-to-end latency. Network requirements are higher still for the AI generation of videos. And the training data required for ubiquitous intelligent driving are also eye-opening. Each individual car requires hundreds of GB of uplink traffic per month so that multi-sensor perception data in the immediate environment can be transmitted to the back-end model for the purpose of learning and optimization.
It has become clear that these scenarios rely on both high-speed and real-time transmission and processing of massive amounts of data. This translates into higher requirements for network capabilities such as uplink and downlink bandwidth, latency, and connection density. Essentially, powerful 5.5G networks are crucial if intelligent applications are to flourish.
At the upcoming MBBF 2024, it is believed that Huawei will launch a suite of innovative solutions for diverse scenarios, which will serve as useful add-ons for operators’ 5G and 5.5G networks in the Mobile AI era. Huawei also plans to showcase its breakthroughs in delivering the best possible 5.5G experience in support of more prosperous Mobile AI applications. The items most worthy of attention will include the maximum capacity utilization of all frequency bands, multi-dimensional capabilities of 5.5G in all scenarios, and easy, energy-efficient deployment.
Amid the Accelerated 5.5G Rollout, Experience-Oriented Operations Are the New Pursuit
Spurred on by the chance to seize abundant opportunities presented by the Mobile AI era, leading operators have started taking action regarding 5.5G. China, the Middle East, and Europe are seeing the scaled rollout and operation of 5.5G networks.
3GPP Release 18 (the first standard version of 5.5G) has been finalized in June, and up to now, over 60 operators and partners have announced the debut of 5.5G. The ecosystem of 5.5G devices and terminals is also being formed. So far in 2024, there are more than 30 types of user devices, such as smartphones and CPEs, that are 5.5G-capable. Application wise, 10 cities around the world have vowed to transform themselves into 5.5G cities to better nurture 5.5G development.
As a mega city in China, Shanghai is experiencing the rapid inclusion of 5.5G in people’s daily lives, with three top operators building 5.5G networks and provisioning traffic plans and applications. These 5.5G plans are not merely about faster speeds and more traffic. Rather, they are also graded in terms of uplink and downlink speeds, latency, and level of assurance in order to cater for segmented users and their differentiated requirements, such as livestreaming, business travel, and gaming. This innovative paradigm is driving a shift from the more conventional traffic-first business model towards modern experience-oriented operations.
5.5G applications are also diversifying. In addition to featured applications, such as glasses-free 3D video and live VR, operators are enriching their packages with premium applications like AI communication, AI cloud phones/computers. Such premium applications offer users differentiated experiences such as more interactive calls, AI shorthand, and AI assistants.
MBBF 2024 looks to draw wider attention to the opportunities that 5.5G and Mobile AI applications can unlock together. After all, industry luminaries will have ample chances to discuss the topic of 5.5G experience in relation to the connection of people, homes, things, vehicles, and industries.
To Boost Network Productivity, Intelligence Must Be There
While the telecom industry is opting for intelligence-powered, experience-oriented operations, a key ingredient for business success is that mobile networks remain equally or become moderately more productive. This is like if a car maker pushes ahead in smart driving, then they must be properly supported by top-notch production facilities such as digital factories.
The mobile industry is confident that intelligence can boost network productivity, in turn driving business growth in the Mobile AI era. In this regard, Huawei has proposed the RAN Intelligent Agent, which looks to support operators building a robust network foundation and reshaping O&M, experience, energy efficiency, and services. This is yet another item worth looking forward to at MBBF 2024, as it might have the potential to open up a new, intelligent arena for the industry.
It is also reported that during the event, the industry organization will lead the release of the RAN Intelligence Pioneers Program, aimed at empowering 5G and 5.5G smart cities in collaboration with operators, vertical industry partners, and Huawei. The changes that 5G has brought to society are set to be inherited and carried on by 5.5G, and the Pioneers Program can undoubtedly be part of this journey. There are also still key questions that deserve consideration: What intelligent applications can 5.5G activate? How can 5.5G help forge an intelligent world and society? Solutions to these, and many more, will be discussed as we head into the future.
Conclusion
Within the beautiful city of Istanbul, MBBF will once again boost the mobile industry through a close-up exploration of “5.5G and Mobile AI collision”. MBBF 2024 will present a 5.5G boutique tour that showcase autonomous driving, RedCap IoT, 10 Gbps experience, and VIP guaranteed experiences, to name but a few. So, why not join?