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Qatar has offered a glimpse of what future mobile networks could deliver, with advanced technology trials recording peak download speeds of 12.23 Gbps at MWC26 Doha. At the same time, the ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference opened in the Qatari capital, putting global connectivity, infrastructure resilience, and emerging technologies on the international telecommunications agenda.
The trials, showcased on November 8 by Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar, with Huawei as the technology partner, combined 600 MHz of bandwidth across the upper 6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. The setup used six-component carrier aggregation (6CC) and 256T256R Massive MIMO antenna systems. It included 400 MHz of temporarily authorized upper 6 GHz spectrum alongside 200 MHz of commercially deployed 3.5 GHz spectrum, highlighting the potential of additional mid-band resources as the industry prepares for the 6G era.
The ITU conference officially opened on November 9, bringing together representatives from the organization’s 194 member states. Running through November 27, it will establish the ITU’s strategic and financial priorities for 2028-2031, with discussions covering global connectivity, infrastructure resilience, satellite communications, and emerging technologies.
Beyond spectrum and next-generation networks, another major question facing the wireless industry is how connectivity must evolve as artificial intelligence moves into industrial environments. Autonomous machines, connected equipment, and real-time industrial applications are putting greater focus on reliable communications, low latency, computing capabilities, and security.
These issues will take center stage at the Industrial Wireless Forum, hosted by RCR Wireless News tomorrow, November 10. The event will bring together industry leaders to examine how connectivity, computing, devices and security must evolve to support industrial AI and the growing adoption of autonomous systems.
Discussions will cover the role of private 5G, Wi-Fi, public cellular, and neutral-host networks in industrial connectivity architectures, alongside challenges involving spectrum availability, device ecosystems, interoperability, deployment costs and security. The agenda will also explore edge AI, network automation, AI-driven network operations and Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC).
Registration for the Industrial Wireless Forum is still open. Register here.
Juan Pedro Tomas
Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
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High Compute silicon: Qualcomm validated HBC silicon in its lab and plans AI250 sampling in H1 2027, but yields, pricing, and customer commitments remain unproven.
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Beyond the Headlines
NTN-native 6G: In 5G, a satellite handover is really a re-attach through a separate core. At RCR’s NTN Integration Forum, a standards panel split on whether one control plane can fix that.
Spectrum, SpaceX: Deutsche Telekom raised its 2026 outlook as CEO Tim Höttges discussed U.S. spectrum investment, SpaceX’s terrestrial ambitions, and the company’s own RAN controller development.
Qualcomm AIDCs: Qualcomm says custom silicon shipments have begun, AWS connectivity is set to ramp, and its AI data center business remains on track for $5 billion in fiscal 2027.
Fiber climate: AI demand is tightening fiber supply, driving up glass prices and increasing the value of strategic routes. Meanwhile, acquisitions by AT&T, Verizon, Zayo and Charter are reshaping ownership, though AI is not always the primary driver.
Deterministic AI?: Qualcomm is applying a common systems-engineering approach across industrial robotics, automation, and 6G, embedding adaptive AI within deterministic controls to improve autonomy without compromising operational reliability, safety or performance in unpredictable environments.
What We're Reading
Bahrain 5G: Batelco and Ericsson are expanding and modernizing Bahrain’s 5G network, combining Massive MIMO radios and cloud-native core upgrades with trials of AI-powered RAN capabilities and preparations for 5G Advanced and eventual 6G services.
AT&T integrates Google Gemini: AT&T Connected Life adds Google Gemini-powered features, including conversational video searches and daily activity summaries, while exploring how Wi-Fi signals could enable network-based sensing for smarter home security.
GitOps management: Ericsson is introducing GitOps-based lifecycle and configuration management for cloud-native 5G Core networks, positioning it as a step towards autonomous operations. Early Swisscom deployments reportedly cut software upgrades by 60% and service setup by 97%.
Airtel revenue grows: Bharti Airtel reported 16.7% revenue growth in its fiscal second quarter, supported by India and Africa, as its customer base expanded to 693 million across 15 countries.
OneGrowth makes APAC debut: China Telecom launched its OneGrowth initiative in Bangkok, bringing together regional partners to expand cooperation across AI infrastructure, cloud-network integration, satellite communications and digital services, with multiple agreements signed.
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Events
Industrial Wireless Forum, November 10th, Virtual
From private 5G, Wi-Fi and public cellular to edge AI, spectrum, next-generation IoT and sensing, the forum examines the infrastructure choices and practical challenges shaping the future of industrial operations. Register now
AI Infrastructure Forum, December 8th, Virtual
Join RCRTech’s AI Infrastructure Forum to explore how telcos, hyperscalers and data centres can compete or partner as AI shifts to inference, and who captures the value when every token counts. Register now
PTC’27, 17-20 January, 2027, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
PTC’27 is the premier event for digital infrastructure, telecoms and ICT. Executives, investors and researchers meet to share knowledge, build relationships and drive new business. Register now
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