Economy

MWC 20 Years, Witnessing the Path of Transformation for Chinese Enterprises

2026-03-09   

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of its establishment in Barcelona at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the global communication industry is undergoing a profound transformation. The past 20 years have been an era of "connectivity" and a history that can be captured by the lens: base stations have sprung up, mobile phone forms have constantly changed, from flip up to straight board, and then to full screen... In the past, photojournalists could always capture specific images to present technological progress. However, today's changes are difficult to visually present through the lens. It is more abstract and profound - occurring in the scheduling logic of the chip, hidden within the network protocol layer, and embedded in the algorithm structure of computing power allocation. The communication industry is not only facing "faster signals", but also a restructuring of the underlying architecture. A subtle change is happening in the exhibition halls of this year's MWC: the once ubiquitous "artificial intelligence (AI)" display boards are becoming fewer, but the tentacles of AI are extending deeper. This is not the decline of AI, but it has become the default capability. ”Meng Pu, Chairman of Qualcomm China, pointed out that "a few years ago, we incorporated AI into modems to optimize signal and power consumption; Nowadays, products with built-in AI capabilities have evolved to the fourth and fifth generations, and people no longer need to emphasize it specifically. ”The theme of this year's conference is "Intelligent Era", which accurately outlines the current situation: AI is no longer a "functional plugin" overlaid on the network, but a "underlying kernel" gradually embedded in the operation of digital systems. Francisco Heromino, Vice President of International Data Corporation, observed that Chinese brands such as Honor and Xiaomi are integrating AI into chip scheduling, imaging systems, and even cross terminal collaboration, "which is a change from functional overlay to system reconstruction. This leap from "illusory promises" to "concrete experiences" marks the evolution of communication technology from a single transmission pipeline to a super computing network that supports the intelligent connection of all things. This trend is not only reflected on the terminal side. At the level of network and computing infrastructure, Huawei showcased its AI computing solution based on its Atlas platform. Unlike previous single point computing devices, Atlas emphasizes a scalable, deployable, and adaptable computing architecture for industry scenarios, enabling flexible scheduling of inference and training capabilities from data centers to edge nodes. This means that AI is no longer just a large model running in the cloud, but is embedded at the edge of networks, industrial sites, and even terminal devices. From chips to terminals, from base stations to data centers, computing power has become a fundamental resource just like electricity. The nature of communication networks has also changed as a result, no longer just a "pipeline" for transmitting data, but a "computing power network" that carries inference and collaboration. This may be the so-called 'Chinese Singularity of the Intelligent Age'. It is not only presented at press conferences, but also marks the overall transition of structural hierarchy. Although discussions about 6G have heated up, the consensus at the conference is very clear: the potential of 5G is far from being fully tapped. Vivek Badrinat, President of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, pointed out that "5G standalone networking is expected to bring in $187 billion in new revenue, but the prerequisite is that we truly utilize our network capabilities. ”In this process, Chinese enterprises have demonstrated the determination of "deep cultivators". China Mobile announced the launch of the 5G-A (5G-A Advanced) plan at the conference, which not only improves speed but also achieves performance leaps for complex scenarios such as intelligent connected vehicles, industrial robots, and immersive applications. The concept of 'Chinese speed' has been given new connotations in the digital age. Heromino found that some European countries are still slow in deploying 5G, while China is exploring the deep integration of "sensing, computing, and intelligence". This leadership is not only reflected in the number of base stations, but also in the ability to handle deterministic networks. While European operators such as Telef ó nica are still exploring satellite direct terminals to fill the connectivity gap, China is already attempting to support millisecond level collaboration in unmanned factories through 5G-A networks. The leading infrastructure has laid the foundation for the explosion of Chinese enterprises in the era of embodied intelligence. China has become the 'laboratory of the future'. Looking back on the 20 years since MWC settled in Barcelona, Chinese companies have made an astonishing leap from 'followers' to' definers'. Meng Pu recalled that at the 2006 conference, there were only a few Chinese manufacturers and most were seen as "low-cost alternatives". At that time, the global communication market was dominated by European and American giants such as Lucent and Alcatel, adopting a vertically integrated "national team" model. The situation is completely different now. The number of Chinese companies participating in the exhibition has exceeded 300, and there is no longer a "price war" to pave the way. Heromino pointed out that geopolitical headwinds are actually driving Chinese companies towards technological self-improvement and promoting the emergence of original innovation. Whether it is the rapid iteration of foldable screen technology or the practical application of large-scale models, Chinese enterprises are becoming an indispensable source of innovation in the global operator system. Lara DeVar, Chief Marketing Officer of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, bluntly stated that China has become a "laboratory of the future" - technologies that are still being theoretically explored in Europe often have already been implemented on the streets in China. As the wave of communication enters the field of 'physical AI', China's advantages become increasingly prominent. The "embodied intelligence" mentioned by DeVar is moving from science fiction to factories and homes, relying on highly reliable and low latency mobile networks. This is precisely the strength of China's industrial chain. The profound hardware manufacturing foundation, combined with the world's leading 5G network base, has given rise to a unique "chemical reaction": China can not only manufacture humanoid robots, but also provide them with a "nervous system" for real-time complex calculations and information exchange. In this wave, Chinese enterprises have not only demonstrated their technological strength, but also their active pursuit of ecological construction. International giants such as Qualcomm actively cooperate with Chinese partners to adapt local models and scenarios. This deep coupling of 'you in me, I in you' proves that in the highly globalized industry of communication, open cooperation is still the optimal path to overcome cycles and break through fog. The ultimate value of the evolution of communication technology lies in expanding the dimensions of human survival. Returning to the real world from the Barcelona booth, the core of the 'Chinese role' lies in transforming cutting-edge technology into inclusive capabilities. As expected by Deval, the warmth of technology can only be truly demonstrated when AI and connectivity technology allow her to "spend more time with children and create more value". In this leap from "connectivity" to "intelligence", Chinese companies are climbing upwards as climbers, contributing an answer from the East to the global digital civilization process. (New Society)

Edit:He Chuanning Responsible editor:Su Suiyue

Source:Reference News

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