The Case for AI-Native Networks:

At MWC Shanghai 2026  [1.], David Wang, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating Chairman of Huawei, outlined a strategic roadmap for AI-native mobile networks, positioning artificial intelligence as the cornerstone of industry growth over the next decade.

Note 1. MWC Shanghai 2026 was held June 24–26, 2026 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), with Huawei showcasing products and solutions in Hall N1.

Over the past 40 years, innovation in mobile technology from each generation to the next has been key to the industry’s success. “With each generation, we have pushed the limits of spectral efficiency and performance,” said Wang. “Network architecture has gradually flattened, with new application scenarios and services emerging left and right. This has consistently expanded the boundaries of communications, helping carriers translate network capabilities into commercial value,” he added.

Huawei argues that traditional telecom infrastructure built around data traffic is no longer sufficient. As the global digital ecosystem transitions toward real-time interactions with AI applications and intelligent agents, mobile and transport networks must be completely redesigned to support both communication and computing. According to Huawei, an AI-native architecture transforms networks from simple communication utilities into revenue-generating engines while helping operators transition to Level-4 and Level-5 network autonomy

Huawei’s Six Strategic Imperatives:

Wang identified six imperatives to guide the industry through the age of intelligence:

1. Developing new services and capabilities for future mobile communications systems

2. Integrating AI with mobile communications to build three distinct layers of intelligence

3. Building network architecture for integrated satellite-ground communications

4. Advocating for sustainable and future-oriented spectrum planning and allocation

5. Clearly defining the specifications of AI-native core networks

6. Exploring new business models and application scenarios for mobile services

Photo Credit: Huawei

Innovations Unveiled: Byte and Token Monetization:

Huawei released a portfolio of innovations targeting both services and infrastructure. On the services side, in collaboration with China’s three major carriers, the company announced advances in 5G-Advanced (5G-A) high-uplink and experience monetization, AI-powered business upgrades, and token monetization.

For infrastructure, Huawei launched the AI-centric target network, designed to enhance carrier competitiveness in byte and token monetization. This architecture comprises three layers:

• Basic Communications Network: A shift from traffic-centric to real-time interaction networking, offering guaranteed connectivity with high uplink and downlink capabilities alongside advanced QoS mechanisms.

• Computing Network: A transition from traffic transport to network-wide compute scheduling and supply, where “connecting to the network is equivalent to accessing compute.”

• AI Computing Infrastructure: High-performance, efficient compute with support for open-source and open ecosystems.

5G-A: 100 Million Users and Beyond:

The global 5G-A user base has surpassed 100 million. Huawei is now working with operators worldwide to advance 5G-A experience monetization and integrate it into installed base operations, targeting mid-range and high-end user retention, ARPU growth, and sustainable revenue expansion.

High Uplink Speed: The New Frontier for AI Applications:

High uplink capacity is critical for token monetization. Emerging AI applications—such as multimodal AI glasses for real-time translation and augmented exhibitions—demand uplink speeds of 20 Mbps or higher. In 2026, leading carriers globally are piloting commercial high-uplink services with guaranteed peak speeds, latency, and universal uplink performance.

Upper-6 GHz: The Next Golden Band:

The proliferation of AI agents is expected to drive rapid growth in token services, requiring ultra-broadband networks with high uplink, high reliability, and low latency. Upper-6 GHz (U6 GHz) is positioned as the next-generation golden frequency band for this purpose.

• More than 20 countries and regions have designated U6 GHz for IMT, covering nearly 80% of the global population.

• 2026 marks the commercial debut of U6 GHz, with the Middle East expected to deploy the world’s first commercial 5G-A network on U6 GHz.

• Select carriers in Hong Kong and Macao will also initiate commercial U6 GHz deployment.

AI-Native B2C and B2B Services:

Huawei plans to collaborate with carriers in Guangdong, Shanghai, Hebei, and other regions in 2026 to reengineer B2C and B2H services with AI, targeting consumer applications such as smart home assistants, personal communication assistants, and integrated consumer-home services. In the B2B segment, the focus is on AI computing services centered on compute-network integration, unlocking new business growth avenues.

Path to Level-4 Autonomous Networks:

Huawei is advancing AI-native technologies toward Level-4 autonomous networks by developing domain-specific intelligence. In 2026, the company will work with carriers to deploy domain-specific intelligence across wireless and transmission network domains in key regions. This will enable cross-domain synergy in maintenance, optimization, energy efficiency, and user experience, enhancing network quality and enabling differentiated products for high-speed rail, event venues, and campuses.

Critical Questions:

Huawei’s AI-centric network vision positions AI not as an incremental improvement to mobile networks but as a foundational network architecture. That vision raises several critical questions for the IEEE community and IEEE Techblog readers:

• Interoperability: How does Huawei’s AI-centric target network align—or conflict—with AI-RAN Alliance initiatives and O-RAN specifications?

• Vendor Comparison: How does Huawei’s AI-centric target network compare with Ericsson’s cloud RAN strategy and Nokia’s Altiplano/Corteca agentic AI platforms in terms of technical architecture and commercial viability?

• Specifications and Standards: What role will 3GPP and ITU-R play in standardizing AI-native core network specifications, particularly for token monetization and compute-network integration?

• Autonomous Networks: How do Huawei’s domain-specific intelligence approaches compare with vendor-neutral SMO/rApp ecosystems, and what are the implications for multi-vendor interoperability?

• Are carriers adequately prepared for the operational and cultural shifts required to transition from traffic monetization to token monetization?

• How will U.S./European regulatory frameworks (e.g. spectrum policy, AI governance, data sovereignty) shape the deployment of AI-native networks compared to China’s more centralized approach?

• Spectrum Policy: With Upper 6 GHz emerging as a key enabler for AI-driven token services, what are the regulatory and coexistence challenges, particularly in regions yet to designate Upper 6 GHz for IMT 2030?   What will WRC 2027 decide?

Conclusions:

Huawei’s roadmap underscores the ICT industry’s rapid shift towards AI token monetization, positioning 5G-Advanced high-uplink, AI-native networks, and Upper 6 GHz spectrum as the foundational pillars for the next decade of growth.  The success of this vision depends not only on technological feasibility but also on standards alignment, regulatory support, and carrier willingness to reinvent business models—a complex challenge that warrants close scrutiny from the IEEE technical community.

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References:

https://www.huawei.com/en/news/2026/6/mwcs-ai-byte-token

https://carrier.huawei.com/minisite/mwcs2026/en/

https://www.huawei.com/en/news/2026/6/mwcs-gsma-asac-5g-advanced

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