In a not-so-shocking development, AI has already emerged as the unifying narrative at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026. Just one day in, discussions around AI’s role in 5G evolution, early 6G development, and the cloud transformation of telecom networks are already dominating the agenda.
A wave of announcements this week signals that operators and vendors are moving beyond experimentation toward operationalizing AI across the entire network stack. Nvidia’s broad industry coalition to build 6G on open, secure AI-native platforms — alongside Ericsson and Intel’s expanded collaboration — underscores how next-generation networks are increasingly defined by compute, software, and automation as much as spectrum and radios.
At the same time, real-world deployments are catching up with vision. From Southeast Asia’s first AI-powered 5G call to Japan’s first commercial 5G core running on AWS with agentic AI automation, operators are embedding intelligence directly into network operations. Cloud-native cores, autonomous network initiatives from Google Cloud, and Rakuten’s continued software-driven infrastructure push all reinforce a shift toward programmable, self-optimizing networks.
Today’s top story — James Blackman’s excellent coverage of Nokia President and CEO Justin Hotard’s opening MWC address — captures the shift succinctly: “AI is already a scaled workload… Networks have to change to survive and thrive.”
Dive into these stories from MWC — and more — in our expanded What We’re Reading section below.
Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Managing Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
Total structural reset: AI is already a mobile-native workload, pushing networks beyond SLA-based capacity toward deterministic, programmable architectures connecting data centers, transport, and the edge, said Nokia’s Justin Hotard.
Qualcomm targets AI with Wi-Fi 8: Qualcomm has unveiled its Wi-Fi 8 portfolio featuring FastConnect 8800 mobile connectivity, new infrastructure platforms with on-device AI compute, and early partner commitments.
Inside T-Mo’s broadband strategy: A T-Mobile exec tells RCR that its fixed wireless service leans on a blended fiber-plus-FWA strategy to balance economics, capacity demands, and broadband growth.
Hottest M&A deals: The latest T&M mergers and acquisitions have reflect a deeper consolidation driven by AI, tariffs, and post-5G market shifts aimed at long-term growth. Here is a look back at some of the most consequential.
DT pushes 95% 5G: Deutsche Telekom plans to reach 95% 5G coverage and add over one million new fiber homes in Europe in 2026, while accelerating fiber investments in Germany to meet its 2027 target.
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Beyond the Headlines
Agentic AI in network construction: As labor shortages and cost overruns strain broadband construction, agentic AI is emerging as a practical tool for autonomous decision-making, helping operators deliver projects on schedule.
Korea’s sovereign AI push: South Korea is scaling AI data centers and semiconductors with a strong sovereign focus, but talent shortages and domestic market limits could shape how fast and how far its ambitions materialize.
Sponsored ZTE outlines 6G strategy: ZTE’s AI-native 6G strategy centers on its GigaMIMO architecture, positioning ultra-large antenna arrays and intelligent networks as foundational technologies for enabling agent-driven connectivity.
Hybrid cooling goes mainstream: AI workloads are reshaping data center design, pushing hybrid cooling, heavier racks and faster build cycles. ValorC3 CEO Jim Buie explains how enterprise and AI demand are diverging.
EdgeConneX targets Nordics: Data center firm EdgeConneX is planning a 1 GW data center campus in Skellefteå, Sweden, expanding its Nordic footprint to support AI and cloud demand, pending regulatory approvals and site acquisition.
What We're Reading
Nvidia rallies telcos for 6G: Nvidia is partnering with Booz Allen, BT, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, MITRE, Nokia, ODC, SK Telecom, SoftBank, and T-Mobile as a commitment to build 6G on “open, secure AI-Native Platforms.”
Ericsson, Intel align on 6G: Ericsson and Intel are accelerating AI-native 6G commercialization, aligning on compute, connectivity, cloud, and standards to help operators move from research toward scalable, cost-efficient networks.
Telefónica explores satellite D2D: Telefónica and Satellite Connect Europe will jointly explore D2D satellite connectivity, evaluating how hybrid terrestrial-satellite architectures can support future connectivity services across Europe.
AI makes the (5G) call: Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Nokia, and NVIDIA have completed Southeast Asia’s first AI-powered 5G call, demonstrating how AI-native infrastructure and accelerated computing can optimize networks.
Telefónica advances quantum telco: Telefónica says it’s advancing quantum technologies for telecom through a new Quantum Telco initiative, exploring quantum computing, communications, and security applications.
Japan’s first 5G AWS core: NTT DOCOMO and NEC have launched Japan’s first commercial 5G core on AWS, using agentic AI to enable dynamic capacity scaling and improve reliability and sustainability.
AI drives 6G automation: NTT DOCOMO and VIAVI have demonstrated AI-driven network control for 6G, showcasing autonomous optimization capabilities that dynamically manage performance, resources, and energy efficiency.
Google on autonomous networks: Google Cloud is emphasizing how AI-powered operations, data analytics, and cloud-native platforms can help operators automate workflows, improve efficiency, and accelerate innovation.
Nokia bolsters Rakuten core: Nokia’s cloud-native IMS and subscriber data management solutions are now live on Rakuten Cloud, supporting Rakuten Mobile’s 4G and 5G core network.
Rakuten expands cloud infra: Rakuten Symphony has integrated its cloud-native storage platform into Google Distributed Cloud connected servers, enabling operators to deploy scalable, telco-grade infrastructure.
ZTE highlights full-stack AI: ZTE has demoed full-stack AI innovations at MWC, spanning infrastructure, devices, and applications aimed at enabling intelligent networks, autonomous operations, and new AI-driven digital experiences.
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