Malaysia’s 5G Advanced rollout has moved forward, as Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and Ericsson announce a new partnership.

The collaboration was announced during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, and aims to implement 5G Advanced technologies across industrial zones and introduce what the companies describe as the “world’s first 5G-powered mobile workspace solution.” The partnership centres on two initiatives: a 5G Advanced deployment to enhance industrial connectivity across Malaysia, and a 5G-powered mobile workspace solution that is designed to replace traditional wi-fi in enterprise environments.

Positioning Malaysia as a 5G global frontrunner

Datuk Azman Ismail, CEO of DNB, highlighted the significance of this collaboration. “By combining DNB’s expertise in 5G deployment with Ericsson’s global leadership in connectivity, we are strengthening Malaysia’s position as a digital economy leader, powering innovation across key sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture,” he said.

The partnership’s core focus areas include:

1. Accelerating enterprise digitalisation: Expanding 5G connectivity in strategic industrial zones and collaborating with mobile network operators to deliver connectivity services.
2. Driving IoT and wearables innovation: Using Reduced Capability (RedCap) technologies to enable connectivity for industrial automation and smart devices.
3. Co-creating future-ready solutions: Using DNB’s 5G Advanced network as an platform to develop applications with solution providers, developers, and academic institutions.
4. Advancing sustainability: Integrating AI-powered energy optimisation tools to maximise efficiency and reduce environmental impact, in support of Malaysia’s journey net-zero emission goals.
5. Strengthening network security: Implementing security measures to help safeguard Malaysia’s digital infrastructure against cyber threats.
6. Expanding global API ecosystem: Integrating with a worldwide Application Programming Interface network.

DNB implements a 5G-based office network solution

In a separate announcement during MWC 2025, DNB said it has begun deploying Ericsson’s Enterprise Virtual Cellular Network (EVCN) at its Kuala Lumpur headquarters. The companies claim this is the first instance of a complete “5G-first” office environment, replacing existing wi-fi with cellular technology. Instead of using standard wi-fi infrastructure, DNB’s headquarters now connects devices through 5G cellular networks. The system integrates with Microsoft Intune and Entra ID to manage the 5G-enabled client hardware throughout the organisation.

The change brings several advantages over traditional enterprise networking solutions:

• Security and control: 5G infrastructure eliminates extant and future wi-fi vulnerabilities, and gives administrators greater control over devices’ connections.
• Operational efficiency and cost savings: Simplified network management and large-scale device setup reduce the need for legacy infrastructure, cutting costs.
• Mobility and user experience: Employees get consistent experiences on their 5G-enabled devices, in the office or working remotely.

“By integrating Ericsson’s Enterprise Virtual Cellular Network with DNB’s nationwide 5G infrastructure, we are empowering organisations to move beyond traditional IT models and embrace a new era of cloud-native, secure, and scalable solutions,” David Hagerbro, Head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh said.

Implications of Malaysia’s 5G Advanced rollout

Malaysia’s implementation of 5G-A systems represents an early test case worth monitoring. While DNB and Ericsson have outlined ambitious plans, the accurate measure of success will be in practical adoption rates, measurable efficiency improvements, and the results of cost-benefit analysis by early adopters.

Key questions remain about how widely these solutions will be adopted beyond initial deployments:

• Will the promised security benefits outweigh the costs of transitioning from established WiFi infrastructure?
• Can the system scale effectively in different enterprises with varying technical requirements?
• Will the everyday experience of workers and businesses show meaningful improvements over current connectivity solutions?

The coming months will likely reveal whether Malaysia’s approach to 5G Advanced implementation offers a viable model for other countries or whether adjustments will be needed as real-world applications expose unforeseen challenges. Technology observers across Southeast Asia will be watching to see if the technology delivers on its potential.

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Maxis and Huawei are leading the way in Malaysia and Southeast Asia with the region’s first 5G-Advanced technology trial. This groundbreaking test, dubbed the ‘5G-Advanced Trial Showcase,’ featured a live demonstration of the capabilities of the technology, reaching astonishing peak speeds of up to 8Gbps.

5G-Advanced, also known as 5.5G, is poised to improve connectivity with speed, device connectivity, and latency improvements, offering up to a tenfold enhancement over standard 5G.

The showcase was attended by Yang Berhormat Fahmi Fadzil, the Minister of Communications, and Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, Chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Focusing on demonstrating the power of 5G-Advanced technology, the event showcased digital and connectivity innovations. Held at KLCC The Place, it was the nation’s first 5.5G technology trial.

Maxis and Huawei committing to digital excellence

The demonstration area brought technology to life with interactive features like low-latency live streaming from Kuala Lumpur’s city center, live 3D content, and augmented reality (AR) experiences.

Tan Sri Mohamad Salim bin Fateh Din emphasized the significance of the trial in showcasing the Malaysian telecommunications sector’s potential to significantly enhance communications connectivity.

Tan Sri Mohamad Salim bin Fateh Din expressed his aspiration for more industry players to innovate and help Malaysian enterprises climb the value chain with next-generation solutions. He anticipates Malaysia becoming a global telecommunications leader.

Goh Seow Eng, CEO of Maxis, highlighted the potential of this technology in powering smart solutions across various sectors. He was eager to delve into this technology for the advancement of industries and the nation’s digital goals.

Simon Sun, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, shared insights on Huawei’s efforts in R&D and validation of essential 5.5G technologies and business cases. He announced the launch of Malaysia’s first 5.5G showcase, positioning the country as a regional leader in digital infrastructure and an attractive hub for foreign investment.

5.5G technology is poised to enable significant advancements in digitalization, automation, and the Internet of Things (IoT) across multiple sectors.

These advancements are expected to drive digital transformations in critical industries like high-end manufacturing, automotive, smart transportation, and advanced visual communication through 3D and extended reality (XR). Additionally, 5G-Advanced will facilitate the development of cost-effective IoT solutions.

Strategic investments and industry collaborations

The move to showcase Malaysia’s first 5.5G technology trial is significant, as Maxis is known for accelerating the 5G market, a trend highlighted last year. For example, Maxis’ move to invest in 5G network operator Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) reflects the industry’s acknowledgment of the platform’s cost efficiency and equitable access.

According to BMI Country Risk and Industry Research, a Fitch Solutions company, telecommunications firms agree that a collective investment in a shared platform is more economical than building separate networks and managing costly interconnection agreements.

BMI noted this decision in a report last year, citing rising inflation and its impact on existing mobile businesses as influencing factors. The Malaysian Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, announced that Maxis began the process of signing a 5G access agreement with DNB, following the resolution of several issues on July 11 of 2023.

BMI observed that the government’s decision to offer DNB equity to operators allows them to participate in critical commercial decisions, such as vendor selection, infrastructure rollout schedules, and pricing strategies. Maxis’ decision to join other major operators in investing in DNB indicates a shift away from lobbying against the DNB scheme and a reluctance to invest in a proposed secondary 5G network, which may not be commercially feasible.

BMI also posits that the new 5G network might serve as a neutral carrier, attracting smaller entities and virtual service providers. The firm forecasts that by 2032, Malaysia will have 33.8 million 5G connections, making up 75.3% of the total mobile user base, with many supporting Internet of Things applications.

Enhancing customer experience with upgraded services

In addition to these strategic moves, Maxis is enhancing its service offerings. Starting December 14, 2023, customers on Maxis’ new Unlimited Postpaid plans will automatically receive a complimentary upgrade, offering additional 5G data. This upgrade alters the previous 5G data allocations, significantly increasing them across various plan tiers.

This enhancement follows Maxis’ introduction of its new Unlimited Postpaid plan with 5G data in August. For customers on legacy plans, Maxis recommends switching to a new plan to access 5G services, although a temporary 5G access pass is available for free until they upgrade their plan.

This 5.5G trial is set to gain international exposure at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, where it will be showcased in the Malaysia Pavilion and supported by the MCMC. As a leading Malaysian company, Maxis will represent the nation at MWC 2024, a major global event in the connectivity sector.

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In the dynamic telecommunications landscape, TD Tech stands as a testament to the intricate interplay of collaboration, evolution, and strategic partnerships. Established in 2005 as a joint venture between Siemens (51% stake) and Huawei (49% stake), TD Tech found its roots in the shared vision of pioneering wireless technology solutions. However, the landscape shifted in 2007 when Siemens sold half of its stake to Nokia, introducing a new player to the collaborative equation. 

That marked a pivotal moment, steering TD Tech on a new trajectory under joint ownership. Siemens gradually divested its remaining shares in 2013, leaving Nokia as the major shareholder in TD Tech. This strategic move altered the company’s ownership structure and set the stage for further developments in its market presence and product offerings.

A notable chapter in TD Tech’s narrative emerged in 2021 when the company diversified its portfolio by venturing into rebranded phones from Huawei. One such model, the M40 5G, utilized a 7-nanometer chip from Taiwan’s MediaTek instead of Huawei’s Kirin processors. Due to Washington’s sanctions, companies are prohibited from providing Huawei with advanced chips containing US-origin technology, including MediaTek processors, manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world’s largest contract chipmaker. 

Nokia, in the thick of geopolitical challenges, clarified that TD Tech operates independently and is not linked to Nokia’s operations or supply chains in China. A year and a half later, in April 2023, Nokia revealed plans to leave TD Tech. The Finnish telecommunications equipment giant said its decision was driven by TD Tech’s expanded business scope, which now includes handsets, modems, and other devices. That broadened scope no longer aligns with Nokia’s strategic focus as a B2B technology innovation leader.

“Nokia decided to divest its 51% stake in TD Tech for an estimated price of EUR 285 million (US$ 305.7 million), with an estimated gain of EUR 227 million (as of June 30; US$ 243.58 million), to New East New Materials, a company involved in raw materials manufacturing for the flexible packaging industry. However, the finalization of the deal was subject to conditions that included a pre-emption right (refusal of sale) of the joint venture partner, which is Huawei in this case,” Nokia said in September 2023.

New buyers from China to partner with Huawei

Over the weekend, reports surfaced that the Finnish telecom equipment giant had secured new buyers for its significant stake in a Beijing joint venture with Huawei. The deal, which faced protests from the Chinese company last year, is now back on track. Nokia’s attempt to sell its majority stake to Shanghai-listed ink maker New East New Materials in 2023 faced a hurdle when Huawei threatened to stop technology licensing to TD Tech. 

The prospective deal eventually fell apart. Analysts speculated that Huawei was likely unwilling to relinquish control of TD Tech, seeing it as a strategic asset to navigate US sanctions and enhance efficiency in specific market segments, as noted by Yang during that period. 

Now, according to a disclosure published on Friday by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), under the latest agreement, wireless technology firm TD Tech will be jointly controlled by Huawei and a group of entities that include the government-owned Chengdu High-Tech Investment Group and Chengdu Gaoxin Jicui Technology Co, as well as venture capital firm Huagai.

The equity distribution among the new stakeholders remains undisclosed, pending final government approval. Regulators said they harbor no antitrust worries about the deal and are open to public input until January 28. According to the SAMR, Huawei and TD Tech jointly oversee less than 10% of China’s smartphone market, though the specific timeframe for this data was not provided.

China’s market regulator has solicited public opinion on Huawei and Chengdu Hi-Tech Investment Group’s proposal for a complete acquisition of TD Tech.

**MARKETLYT –>** China's market regulator is soliciting public opinion on the proposed acquisition plans by Huawei and Chengdu Hi-Tech (000628 CH) to acquire TD Tech.

**Market Impact Rating –>** 89

**MARKETLYT Analysis –>**
The request for public opinion on the…

— Millan Lemoine, CFA – markets reaction analysis (@marketlyt) January 19, 2024

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Over a decade ago, China-based Huawei Technologies kickstarted its costly, years-long effort to secure its presence in the North American market. In the initial stages of its endeavors, the Chinese telecommunication giant swiftly increased lobbying expenses in Washington because the US was actively looking into whether the company’s presence provided opportunities for Chinese espionage and imperiled America’s telecommunications infrastructure.

But since it started getting scrutinized in 2012, Huawei has denied all claims, especially on its alleged ties to the military in China. Washington, however, has been having a hard time buying that. After all, Huawei was the world’s largest supplier of telecom equipment and the second-largest maker of mobile phones. Its technology touches virtually every corner of the globe, and its massive R&D budget has made it a leader in 5G technology.

That is why Washington started raising concerns about Huawei’s potential to incorporate espionage features in its equipment, which was widely deployed in numerous cell towers and network infrastructure across the US. Despite the company’s assertions that its products were not a threat, by 2022, American regulators had prohibited Huawei from selling its products in the US. They took steps to limit its access to advanced technology.

Still, Huawei continued its foray into lobbying in the US as it still held ambitious plans for market expansion. The company had always planned to establish a stronger foothold in the American telecommunications landscape. Still, it also became apparent that navigating the complex regulatory environment and addressing concerns related to national security were paramount.

Unsurprisingly, Huawei’s lobbying efforts faced formidable challenges, particularly as the company became a focal point in the US-China trade tensions. On top of espionage, allegations of cybersecurity threats and growing skepticism from policymakers posed significant hurdles. 

In due course, Huawei became ensnared in a complex network of restrictions, notably being added to the Entity List by the US Department of Commerce. Despite challenges, Huawei adopted a multi-faceted approach to counter the negative narrative. The company invested heavily in building relationships with lawmakers, government agencies, and industry influencers. After all, Huawei has aimed to dispel concerns about its ties to the Chinese government and present itself as a responsible and transparent player in the global technology landscape. 

Huawei also launched extensive public relations campaigns to improve its image. These campaigns highlighted the company’s contributions to technological innovation, job creation, and efforts to bridge the digital divide.

Eventually, the company initiated a gradual reduction in its lobbying endeavors, culminating in a complete cessation, as reported by Bloomberg last week.

How much did Huawei spend lobbying in the US?

It was Huawei itself that officially notified the termination of its lobbying activities at the Capitol. The company has also discontinued its operations at the Plano, Texas offices, as confirmed by Trey Smith, the executive vice president at CBRE, a real estate services firm managing leases for the building, in an email to Bloomberg.

Looking back, during its pinnacle, Huawei boasted a squad of nine lobbying firms and a cadre of public relations representatives at its service. Top-level executives frequently orchestrated briefings with congressional offices and prominent news outlets. Federal filings reveal that the company allocated over US$13 million to lobbying efforts in the last decade alone.

For context, in just one quarter of 2019, Huawei’s spending on federal lobbying skyrocketed to US$1.8 million, marking a six-fold surge from the previous year. The company’s total lobbying expenditure in the US for 2021 amounted to US$3.6 million, per official filings. Some of these funds were allocated to extravagant events attended by prominent figures, including seasoned Democratic lobbyist Tony Podesta, who reportedly earned US$1 million from Huawei that year. 

Podesta officially concluded his work for Huawei on December 30, 2022, according to disclosures with the US Senate. “The US market isn’t a likely place for a breakthrough for Huawei in the near future,” Chris Pereira, a former Huawei public relations executive and founder of the consultancy iMpact, told Bloomberg.

With a solid ban in effect and minimal business presence in the US, Huawei has little incentive to continue depleting funds on lobbying efforts in Washington. So much so that the company’s final two registered lobbyists, Jeff Hogg and Donald Morrissey, departed in recent months, as reported by Bloomberg News. 

Morrissey, who lobbied for Huawei and Futurewei, confirmed via LinkedIn that he departed the company in December. He now holds the position of senior director of government affairs at the battery technology company Gotion. Hogg, Huawei’s head of government relations since 2020, left the company in November, per his LinkedIn profile. Requests for comment from Hogg went unanswered.

“The lobbyists’ recent departures follow an exodus of staff from Huawei’s US operations and marks a quiet end to the company’s costly, years-long effort to maintain a presence in the North American market. The firm reached its peak by supplying small mobile firms across the US even as major carriers shunned it. Rising tensions with Beijing eventually all but banned it,” the report by Bloomberg reads.

With Huawei ending its lobbying gam, what’s next in the US-China tussle?

As Huawei gracefully bows out of Washington, it marks the end of a chapter in its American aspirations. Yet, the company is far from bereft of alternatives. Responding to the US ban, China’s government decries unfair practices, while Huawei pivots to cultivate its domestic market and spearhead technological advancements. For now, Huawei’s quest to fill the void left by the US market remains uncertain. 

The upside is that Huawei is anticipated to shine brightly in the smartphone industry in 2024, and the China-based telco giant is poised for a substantial surge in global shipments, marking a projected double-digit growth. A report from research firm TechInsights recently suggests that the company might emerge as a significant surprise in the overseas market.

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Not too long ago, the only real challenger for Apple in the high-end segment of the smartphone market in China was Huawei. But sanctions by the US knocked out the latter’s once mighty handset business. For a few years after that, Huawei, a company that once vied with Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. to lead the global smartphone market, suffered. But now, things are taking a positive turn for Huawei in the wake of its release of a collection of 5G-enabled smartphones, which poses new challenges to Apple in China.

While Huawei has prepared for years for a possible technology cutoff by the US government, no one was sure how self-reliant the Chinese telecommunication giant was. However, Huawei declared on December 30, 2022, that it has left behind the “crisis status” it entered in response to the US sanctions enacted against it in 2019.

But that was just the beginning.

No one, especially in the US, was prepared for what was coming in late August.

The company, in a rather subtle manner, unveiled the Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro, followed by the Mate 60 Pro+. The groundbreaking thing about that series of smartphones was that they were all–without a single mention from Huawei–5G-enabled. What was more surprising was that Huawei used a domestically made chip, marking a breakthrough in the face of years of US technology sanctions against the company.

Huawei equipped the Mate 60, Mate 60 Pro, Mate 60 Pro+, and the Mate 60 RS with a 7nm homegrown Kirin 9000s application processor (AP) that supports 5G. The Mate 60 series featured the first 5G phones from Huawei since 2020’s Mate 40 series, which was powered by the Kirin 9000 chipset.

In the first six weeks of the release, Huawei sold 1.6 million units, according to Counterpoint Research.

That release alone was enough to propel Huawei to be the position of fastest-growing smartphone maker in China in the third quarter of this year. Sales of the Chinese technology giant’s smartphones in China grew 37% year-on-year(YoY), according to Counterpoint’s report released last week. It commanded a 12.9% market share in the quarter, up from 9.1% in the same period the previous year.

“It has made a huge splash in the market, contributing big to Huawei’s smartphone sales growth” in the third quarter, Ivan Lam, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, explained. OPPO, Vivo, and Apple all experienced double-digit decreases in sales. 

Lam said, “iPhone sales declined as some demand for older models was fulfilled in Q1 and Q2 2023 due to earlier-than-expected price cuts by channels, which were not offset by the official price adjustment. This was compounded by initial supply constraints faced by the iPhone 15 series, which resulted in lower sales compared to the iPhone 14 series for the launch period.”

But analysts also believe that if Huawei’s new chip is put into some mid-to-lower-end phones, the company could take market share away from other players and be propelled back into the top five.

“If Huawei expands the new Kirin chipset into its low-to-mid-range portfolio in the future, it has the potential to disrupt the competitive dynamic among leading vendors,” Lucas Zhong, a research analyst at Canalys, said in the firm’s report on China’s smartphone market, which was released Thursday.

According to Canalys’ report, Honor, driven by product and channel competitiveness, returned to the top position with an 18% market share and 11.8 million shipments. OPPO (including OnePlus) followed with 10.9 million shipments, securing thesecond spot. Apple came in third with 10.6 million shipments, benefiting from its new launch. Vivo, with a cautious shipment strategy, held fourth position with a 16% market share. 

“Xiaomi’s hot-selling series maintained its momentum, with a slight increase in market share to 14%, securing the fifth spot. Additionally, Huawei continued to gain market share and inch its way towards the top players through its high-profile Mate series launches,” the report noted. The research firm also believes that since shipments of smartphones for the third quarter of this year fell 5% YoY in China, the worst may be over. 

Both Counterpoint and Canalys believe the smartphone market in China may have bottomed out and be on its way to recovery. Apple is expected to sell 10 million units of its new phone in China this year, for an expected total of 45.5 million iPhone sales in the country, according to Shanghai-based CINNO Research.

5G smartphones push Huawei to growth

When unveiling its financial results for the first three quarters of this year, Huawei said revenue rose by 2.4% YoY to 456.6 billion yuan (US$62.33 billion) — the highest since 2020. In contrast to the modest rise in revenue, profit rose 177.8% in the period to 73.05 billion yuan, according to Reuters calculations.

For the third quarter, revenue rose 1.5% to 145.7 billion yuan, “in line with forecast,” Huawei’s rotating chairman Ken Hu said.

Has the tide turned for Huawei in China with the launch of the Mate 60 series?

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In this digital age, faster, more reliable internet connectivity is in demand and almost expected as the world races towards 5G. Yet, in reality, achieving this is not always possible. In urban areas, multiple solution options, such as fiber-optic cables or broadband are available, but the digital age has created a divide in connectivity.

Those in inconvenient urban or remote areas often suffer from high installation costs and more difficulty laying fiber optics and power lines. This is compounded by poor infrastructure. This impact means consumers may not benefit from the same quality of access at home, while businesses in remote locations may suffer from unstable or slow connections.

This is why 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is considered groundbreaking. It offers a cost-effective solution beneficial to smart factories and private campuses in areas that traditionally may not have received investment from telcos due to being financially unattractive.

How does FWA work?

FWA is a wireless broadband technology that leverages the 5G network to offer high-speed internet access to homes and businesses. Unlike traditional broadband that relies on cables, FWA uses radio frequencies, making it a viable solution in areas where wired infrastructure is difficult to install or too costly.

Strategically placed masts on buildings receive the 5G signal, and cables are run from the mast to individual customers. This is great for apartment buildings and provides high-speed connections in areas without cable access, such as rural or suburban locales.

Tech Wire Asia had the opportunity to sit down with Brian Chamberlin, Executive Advisor, Huawei Carrier Marketing, and Edwin Wang, Head of FWA Solution Sales, Huawei Carrier BG, to discuss more on 5G FWA and how it could potentially disrupt traditional broadband services in the next five years in the global and APAC market. According to them, most markets do not see 5G FWA as a disruptive service.

“Most of our customers are following a Fixed and Mobile Converged (FMC) strategy, meaning they offer both fixed and mobile services to their customers,” Chamberlin said. “For these companies, 5G FWA is simply another way to deliver customers a high-speed broadband connection, complementing their existing fiber broadband service. It’s an excellent tool for delivering broadband services to areas where fiber deployments are simply not cost-effective.”

Wang added that there are some markets where the fixed-line operator faces little or no competition. In those markets, 5G FWA can be seen as a disruptive technology in that it will allow competitors to enter the market where they were previously blocked.

Global 5G infrastructure readiness: Huawei at the forefront

When asked about the readiness of current 5G infrastructure to support widespread FWA adoption, it’s important to note that with the onset of 5G deployments in 2019, more than 215 5G networks have been globally deployed. Of these, 95 (43%) have launched FWA services, serving over 10 million subscribers.

According to them, since 5G FWA uses the same spectrum that mobile services use, if an operator signs up too many customers for their FWA service, it could cause their mobile experience to decline. “To support that balanced deployment, we developed a tool called ‘FWA Suite’ that helps operators manage their FWA and Fiber to the Home services together,” Wang emphasized. It allows frontline customer service agents to see the usage and capacity of a mobile site before signing a customer up for FWA services.

Tools like this can ensure that customers are offered the 5G FWA service only when their mobile signal is good enough to deliver an excellent experience and prevent oversubscribing the mobile network.

As promising as 5G FWA is being advertised, there are concerns about how this will affect rural areas and how it could “close the digital divide.” Both believed that 5G FWA plays an essential role in closing the digital divide. The cost to deploy fiber in a rural area can be far higher than in an urban area.

“Recently, an article in the Wall Street Journal claimed that some communities were spending an average of US$56,000 per subscriber to connect them to a fiber network. That is far higher than the typical cost of US$2,000 per line that we see in Europe, but it shows how expensive laying new fiber in rural areas can be,” Chamberlin said.

90% of the cost of fiber is in the civil engineering work: digging up roads, laying conduit, rebuilding the road, etc. 5G FWA can connect these subscribers for a fraction of the cost because none of that civil work is required. “Once the mobile site is built, then the only cost to connect a new home is the CPE price, typically US$120 – US$150. In rural areas, 5G FWA is often the most cost-effective way to deliver home broadband services,” Wang added.

So, that’s just one of the hurdles that raised concerns. Neither Wang nor Chamberlin see any challenges in convincing customers to adopt 5G FWA.

Customer perceptions of 5G FWA

According to them, it’s just a broadband connection to the customer, and they don’t care about the underlying technology. Consumers only care about the customer experience. They stated how most of their customers don’t promote the specific technology; they offer a broadband service, then pick the right technology to provide that service based on your location.

One disadvantage with fiber to the home is the time required to connect a new home. They have some customers that provide their subscribers with an instant connection using 5G FWA, and then when the fiber becomes available in that area, they swap the FWA CPE out and replace it with a fiber connection. That is just one of the many models they’ve seen for Fiber/5G FWA collaboration.

When asked about the alignment of 5G FWA with environmental sustainability goals, especially considering its potential for reducing engineering work and materials needed for cabling, they broke it down, saying that when 5G FWA is used to replace legacy DSL service, operators can both increase the speeds offered to their customer and reduce their energy consumption.

“One customer we worked with, their copper network accounted for roughly half of their infrastructure power consumption,” Chamberlin added. “Migrating those customers to 5G FWA resulted in substantial power savings.”

However, if they compare 5G FWA to fiber PON (Passive Optical Networks), they usually find PON is the greener solution. So for green networks, they advise operators to deploy fiber to the areas where it’s cost-effective, and 5G FWA for the lower density areas where fiber doesn’t make sense. This will provide a green and cost-effective broadband network.

Amid all these advances, what is Huawei’s role? First and foremost, Huawei stands out with its technical innovations in 5G FWA solutions, as demonstrated by the recent launch of its new CPE Pro 5 to provide the ultimate 5G FWA experience.

This device is equipped with three transmitting antennas, supports three-channel carrier aggregation, and has an output power of 26dBm. These features collaboratively enable the CPE Pro 5 to attain a peak download speed of 5.4Gbps.

Huawei’s 5G FWA solutions are tailored to support diverse applications. Huawei has introduced a Quality of Service (QoS) feature for business users, allowing operators to assure business customers of guaranteed download speeds.

For gaming, especially those utilizing cloud gaming services, Huawei has rolled out a Game Turbo service, reducing the overall latency by 50%, from 150ms to 100ms.

“As you can see, at Huawei, we scrutinize how users employ the network and introduce new features to accommodate those scenarios. This approach is integral to our strategy,” Chamberlin emphasized. “In our quest to deliver the ultimate 5G FWA experience, we have launched the latest generation CPE 5 with our partners, enabling a peak download speed of 5.4Gbps.”

Huawei making 5G FWA accessible globally

A pertinent question is raised in the swiftly evolving 5G FWA landscape: How is Huawei making 5G FWA solutions more affordable, especially in less economically developed regions? Huawei is pioneering clear and innovative paths to bolster FWA accessibility and affordability in emerging markets.

On the network side, Huawei is channeling efforts to enhance spectrum efficiency through innovative radio signals, thus expanding the supportive customer base on existing network infrastructures. Concurrently, on the device side, Huawei promotes the adoption of RedCap, substantially diminishing the cost of 5G FWA Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).

Known for its beneficial partnerships, Huawei collaborates with various governments and NGOs to maximize societal benefits from technology. The company’s Tech4All program, concentrating on education, the environment, health, and digital inclusion, is a vibrant example.

“For instance, in South Africa, our partnership with RAIN and the NGO Click Foundation is bringing online literacy to primary schools nationwide, resonating with the government’s vision for universal reading ability by grade three. Just a year ago, this project connected 90 schools, reaching 52,000 students. This is merely one of the myriad projects underscoring our commitment to universal digital technology benefits, including FWA,” elaborated Wang.

Peering into the future, Huawei’s enthusiasm for new technologies, like the cost-reducing RedCap and the maturing mmWave, is palpable. These advancements promise to enhance user experience and affordability and bridge the global digital divide.

“These types of speeds will not only cater to home users desiring a premium experience but will also buoy small businesses, enabling them to leverage digital services fully. This move towards diminishing the digital divide is something we ardently look forward to,” Chamberlin concluded.

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As the wave of generative AI pervades corporate boardrooms globally, worldwide telecommunications corporations are navigating ways to economically dispatch numerous novel AI applications to the edge via 5G and the forthcoming 6G networks.

By 2025, telecommunications companies aim to establish over 17 million 5G microcells and towers globally. The colossal task of constructing, managing, and refining this novel infrastructure, all the while upholding high-quality service delivery and enhancing customer satisfaction, stands as the imminent substantial hurdle for the industry.

Today marks a notable announcement from NTT DOCOMO, proclaiming the integration of a GPU-accelerated wireless solution within its network in Japan. This advancement distinguishes it as the pioneer global telco to incorporate a GPU-accelerated commercial 5G network.

Unlocking new potential in telecom services with Open RAN solutions

This strategic step by DOCOMO is directed towards confronting the significant issue of bolstering performance, reducing the total cost of ownership and enhancing energy efficiency, simultaneously unlocking the abundant potential for flexibility, scalability, and diversified supply chain offered by Open RAN.

The implemented 5G Open RAN solution employs a high-caliber 5G virtual radio access network (vRAN) from Fujitsu, grounded on the NVIDIA Aerial vRAN stack and NVIDIA Converged Accelerators. This amalgamation allows telecommunications companies to establish a thoroughly software- and cloud-defined network capable of dynamically allocating resources utilizing industry-standard equipment.

NTT DOCOMO’s Global Head of Open RAN solutions, Sadayuki Abeta, underscores the unparalleled flexibility and scalability offered by Open RAN in constructing next-generation 5G networks, a feat achievable thanks to multi-vendor connections.

This 5G Open RAN solution, being the foremost 5G vRAN for telco commercial deployment utilizing the NVIDIA Aerial platform, is paired with a robust, carrier-grade vRAN stack. The platform amalgamates the NVIDIA Aerial vRAN stack for 5G, AI frameworks, augmented compute infrastructure, and extended software support and maintenance.

Here’s more on NVIDIA Aerial platform:

In collaboration with Fujitsu and Wind River, the novel 5G solution capitalizes on the NVIDIA Aerial platform to curtail costs and diminish power consumption. As per DOCOMO, the solution slashes total costs by up to 30%, network design utilization by up to 50%, and base station power consumption by up to 50%.

Masaki Taniguchi, the Senior Vice President and Head of the Mobile System Business Unit at Fujitsu Limited, emphasized the significant achievement in delivering a 5G Open RAN network meeting the rigorous performance standards of operators. He highlighted the efficiency and high performance that network operators could achieve by employing the Fujitsu vCU/vDU in tandem with the NVIDIA Aerial platform.

NVIDIA’s engagement in the DOCOMO launch is part of a growing array of 5G solutions driving change in the telecommunications sector. Focusing on the NVIDIA Aerial vRAN stack and NVIDIA Converged Accelerators, along with NVIDIA BlueField data processing units (DPUs) and a suite of AI frameworks, NVIDIA provides high-performance, software-defined, cloud-native, AI-enabled 5G for on-site and telecommunications operators’ RAN.

Fujitsu, NVIDIA, and Wind River have cooperated under the umbrella of OREX (5G Open RAN service brand), inaugurated by DOCOMO in February 2021, for the development of the Open RAN 5G vRAN. OREX’s deployment in Japan is based on Fujitsu’s vDU and vCU, employing commercial off-the-shelf servers, the Wind River cloud platform, Fujitsu’s 5G vRAN software, and the NVIDIA Aerial vRAN stack and NVIDIA Converged Accelerators.

The role of NVIDIA Grace Hopper and NVIDIA BlueField DPU

The NVIDIA Grace Hopper Superchip fuses the NVIDIA Grace CPU, grounded on the Arm architecture, and the high-performance NVIDIA Hopper GPU. This integration, along with the BlueField DPU, contributes to achieving equivalent performance from full inline L1 offload akin to the NVIDIA Converged Accelerator.

Nevertheless, the pinnacle of performance enhancement stems from the integration of CPU and GPU architectures utilizing NVIDIA NVLink-C2C, delivering a harmonious CPU+GPU memory model for accelerated tasks like 5G vRAN.

NVIDIA NVLink-C2C, the memory-coherent, high-bandwidth, and low-latency interconnect from NVIDIA, delivers a staggering up to 900 GB/s total bandwidth, a leap that is seven times higher than the bandwidth of the commonly employed x16 PCIe Gen5 lanes in accelerated systems.

OREX’s expansion from Japan and beyond

The commercial deployment of a 5G Open RAN network by NTT DOCOMO, utilizing the NVIDIA 5G platform, stands as a landmark for the telecommunications sector, demonstrating the prowess of GPU-based acceleration for computationally intensive L1 PHY processing.

This novel network delivers augmented performance, flexibility, and scalability, along with enhanced cell density, substantial advancements in energy efficiency, and a slash in TCO, paving the path for the broad-based adoption of GPU-based acceleration in cellular RANs.

In unison with OREX partners, DOCOMO is ardently working to endorse a multi-vendor, Open RAN–compliant 5G vRAN to the global operator community. The commercial deployment in Japan aligns with OREX’s vision, allowing its members to commercially validate their solutions and subsequently promote them to other global operators.

NVIDIA persistently collaborates with DOCOMO and additional partners, extending support to operators globally in the deployment of high-performance, energy-efficient, software-defined, commercial 5G vRAN.

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All Huawei Technologies Co did last week was release its latest smartphone, the Mate 60 Pro, in a relatively low-key manner. Ever since then, the world, especially the Chinese, has been raving about how fast the network speed of the smartphone is. It was akin to a typical 5G smartphone, and for the Chinese telecommunications giant to produce that despite stifling US sanctions, was even more groundbreaking.

It all started with a teardown of the handset that TechInsights conducted for Bloomberg News, which unveiled that the Mate 60 Pro is powered by a new Kirin 9000s chip that was fabricated in China by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). The processor is the first to utilize SMIC’s most advanced 7nm technology, indicating that Huawei has the technology to make such a chip despite sweeping efforts by the US to restrict China’s access to foreign chip technology.

To top it off, the Mate 60 Pro comes three years after the company last released a 5G smartphone, the Mate 40 series. But Huawei has yet to publicly declare that it is a 5G-capable smartphone – all the embattled Chinese tech giant has said is that the Mate 60 Pro is the “most powerful Mate model ever.”

TechInsights, in a report, indicated that SMIC made the Kirin 9000s via its 7-nanometer process, known as the N+2 node, fuelling speculation that the chip maker was helping Huawei clandestinely overcome stifling US tech sanctions. For context, SMIC was added to the US Entity List in December 2020, while Huawei was on that trade blacklist in May 2019.

That is perhaps why experts are reckoning that the breakthrough in developing a new 5G processor in mainland China is expected to not only prompt another round of investigation by Washington but also intensify the US-China tech war. It could also spark more debate in the US about the effectiveness of sanctions, Jefferies Equity analyst Edison Lee said in an interview recently.

But, to an extent, the breakthrough wasn’t much of a surprise considering how experts, including semiconductor players based out in the US like Qualcomm and Nvidia, have argued for fewer sanctions because Washington’s trade restrictions have only strengthened China’s motivation for tech self-sufficiency while also damaging the commercial interests of US companies.

What does the US say about Huawei and its 5G feat? 

Firstly, existing rules require any company that intends to supply Huawei with US technology, which is present throughout SMIC’s operations, to get approval from Washington. US lawmakers reckon that China’s top chipmaker warrants investigation because it’s unclear whether SMIC has a US license to supply Huawei.

The US believes SMIC has violated US sanctions by supplying components to Huawei. “It sure looks like it did” violate sanctions, Representative Michael McCaul said Wednesday at a briefing at the US embassy in the Hague. SMIC continues “to try to get our intellectual property.”

Representative Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on Competition with China, on the other hand, reckons that it is about time “to end all US technology exports to both Huawei and SMIC to make clear any firm that flouts US law and undermines our national security will be cut off from our technology.”

The fact that there was a staggering amount of US$23 billion in licenses the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has granted for US firms to sell technology to Chinese companies in the first quarter of last year is evident enough that the US may be too lenient, American lawmakers emphasized. 

South Korea SK Hynix started investigating

TechInsights’ teardown shows that Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro uses SK Hynix’s LPDDR5 and NAND flash memory. While Chinese suppliers almost entirely provide the handset’s components, Hynix’s hardware is an isolated example of materials sourced from overseas, TechInsights noted.

Following that revelation, Bloomberg reported that SK Hynix Inc. has opened an investigation into the use of its chips in Huawei’s latest phone. Icheon-based Hynix “no longer does business with Huawei since the introduction of the US restrictions against the company and, about the issue, we started an investigation to find out more details,” a company spokeswoman said in a statement to Bloomberg News. “SK Hynix strictly abides by the US government’s export restrictions.”

While it remains unclear how Huawei may have procured the memory chips from Hynix, which makes most of its semiconductors at plants in China, there is the possibility that the Chinese tech giant was tapping a stockpile of components it accumulated as far back as 2020 before the complete set of US trade curbs had been imposed on it. 

The post Huawei is leaving the US unsettled with its 5G progress appeared first on TechWire Asia.

Amid all the talk that Huawei Technologies Co may make a comeback in the global 5G smartphone race, the Chinese telecommunications giant quietly launched a new smartphone – the Mate 60 Pro. At first look, the Mate 60 Pro looks like any other Chinese phone, with advancements that set it apart from its predecessor. By the time local reviews started pouring in, talk was mainly focused on the phone’s shockingly impressive network speeds – speeds that match a typical 5G chip-powered smartphone.

First, it is fair to note that despite rumors, Huawei had denied planning 5G phone releases, citing US sanctions. But then the Mate 60 Pro release last week, unaccompanied by any huge teaser campaign or major event, as Huawei would usually organize for a major launch, raised eyebrows.

To top it off, Huawei declined to provide details about the handset’s processor – or whether it supports 5G mobile networks – during the launch.

Industry analysts and consumers didn’t take long before they began speculating on the embattled Chinese giant’s unlikely behavior.

The launch, intentionally or otherwise, coincided with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s visit to China last week. Raimondo’s visit was the fourth high-level US official to visit China this summer, as the relationship between the nations has grown increasingly intense.

Chinese state media declared the timing of the phone announcement was a show of defiance, indicating to the US that the trade war was a “failure.” Not too long after speculation on this point began in China, there were hushed concerns in Washington, too. Countless reports suggested that the US sanctions had manifestly failed to prevent China from making a critical technological advance. 

It seemed that, for now at least, the US chipmakers were right when they warned that far-reaching sanctions would not stop China, but instead spur it to redouble its efforts to build alternatives to US technology.

Details on the Huawei Mate 60 Pro

Details regarding the device’s processor and network support were notably absent from the published spec sheet, leaving consumers and industry watchers curious about the device’s true capabilities. Yet, many local reviewers claimed that the phone reached 5G speeds. The only giveaway from Huawei, based on its statement on August 29, was a statement that the Mate 60 Pro was the “most powerful Mate model ever,” with no mention of its CPU or the handset’s 5G connectivity.

Based on tests, the Chinese benchmarking website AnTuTu identified the central processing unit (CPU) in the Mate 60 Pro as the Kirin 9000s from Huawei’s chip design unit, HiSilicon. The CPU has a 12-core configuration and a top clock speed of 2.62 gigahertz, according to AnTuTu. For context, Shenzhen-based Huawei and its chip design arm HiSilicon were added to the US government’s trade blacklist, known as the Entity List, in 2019.

Tightened US restrictions imposed in 2020 restrict Huawei from obtaining advanced integrated circuits (ICs) from major contract chipmakers, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. or Samsung Electronics. Although HiSilicon’s website did not provide information about that CPU, the firm’s existing Kirin 9000 and 9000e chipsets support 5G connectivity and artificial intelligence applications. They are built on the advanced 5nm manufacturing process. 

The Mate 40 series, released in October 2020, was the last 5G smartphone launched by Huawei, which used the HiSilicon-designed Kirin 9000 system-on-a-chip in the device. “The new Mate’s download speeds can reach 500 megabits per second, which exceeds the 100Mbps speed requirements for 4G networks, according to independent tests run by some consumers,” the South China Morning Post (SCMP) wrote. 

China’s official broadcaster, CGTN, in a post on X, called the phone Huawei’s “first higher-end processor” since US sanctions were imposed, and said the chip it contains was made by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, a company partially owned by the Chinese government.

Separately, Nikkei Asia reported that SMIC would be using what’s known as the “7nm process” to make the chips for Huawei, the most advanced level in China. 

In simple terms, that’s on par with the process used for the chips inside Apple’s iPhones launched in 2018. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company made the latest iPhone chips using what is known as the 4nm process. As for the graphics processing unit in the new Mate, AnTuTu identified it as another Chinese-designed chip, the Maleoon 910.

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About a week ago, Huawei Technologies said it plans to revive its high-flying smartphone business following the launch of its latest AI-powered Harmony operating system upgrade. The optimistic assessment comes after the privately-held Chinese giant resurfaced as a top-five smartphone vendor in mainland China during the second quarter, according to data from research firm IDC.

Shenzhen-based Huawei’s comeback, according to IDC, was achieved through “a better product launching pace, as well as the favorable sales performance of its P60 series and foldable Mate X3 model”. In reality, the Shenzhen-based telecoms firm is trying to recover from US sanctions dating back to 2019, which cut it off from crucial technologies such as semiconductors, like 5G chips and software. 

The move crippled its smartphone business globally, demoting it from once being the number one player. But the worst may be over for Huawei as its efforts gradually bear fruit. Based its first half of 2023 results, Huawei’s consumer business group, including Huawei smartphones and smart car solutions, recorded growth and increased revenue for the first time in three years.

According to the company, Huawei smartphones and electric cars rose 2.2% to 103.5 billion yuan (US$4 billion), a performance that is in line with expectations. The results resonate with what the company’s chief executive of the consumer business group and its Intelligent Automotive Solution business unit, Richard Yu Chengdong, said.

“Huawei’s flagship smartphones are making a comeback,” Yu said at Huawei’s recent annual developer conference in Dongguan, a city in southern Guangdong province, where its HarmonyOS 4 was unveiled. Huawei said HarmonyOS 4 had been integrated with the company’s generative artificial intelligence model Pangu to provide ChatGPT-like services, including automated messaging and the creation of images.

HarmonyOS 4 is also expected to enhance support for other devices, such as smart electric vehicles, a major sector that Huawei has targeted in recent years. At the conference, Yu also said HarmonyOS is now connected to more than 700 million devices and has more than 2.2 million developers in its ecosystem.

In the financial results, the Chinese giant also announced that its Huawei P60 and Mate X3 smartphones achieved second in the premium device segment on the home ground. According to IDC, Huawei sold about 14.3 million units in China for the first half of 2023. This is a 40% growth as compared to last year.

Revenue from intelligent automotive solutions, another segment that Huawei has been banking on to diversify its business, reached 1 billion yuan in the first half of 2023. Cloud computing and digital power generated 24.1 billion yuan and 24.2 billion yuan in sales, respectively, posting “strong growth,” a South China Morning Post report indicated.

As for Huawei’s information and communications technology business – its key segment includes 5G network gear – revenue from January to June reached 167.2 billion yuan, the company said. Reports indicate that Huawei is plotting a return to the 5G smartphone industry by the end of this year, which means a comeback despite a US ban on equipment sales decimating its consumer electronics business.

The first Huawei phone to launch with the newly developed 5G chipset is expected to launch later this year, according to a new report from Reuters. This means Huawei may finally return to using 5G chipsets co-developed with China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC).

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In the realm of technology, gossip travels quickly, particularly when it involves industry giants like Huawei. Numerous sources have implied that Huawei plans to unveil 5G smartphones, fueling chatter about a major 5G phone launch after October. Despite this, He Gang, Chief Operating Officer of the Consumer Business Group, has firmly denied these claims. These speculations sprouted from a Tencent Deep Web article that hinted at a major October announcement by He Gang during a video conference with Huawei retailers, potentially about 5G phones. Nevertheless, He Gang has categorically dismissed such information as untrue.

It’s important to understand that Huawei can’t incorporate 5G in their phones due to US sanctions. This issue stems from last October when reports surfaced that Huawei might attempt to bypass US sanctions by reengineering its smartphones to use “less sophisticated” chipsets from Chinese companies for 5G functionality. However, this solution could negatively affect the user experience. Previously, a Huawei subsidiary would design the chipsets, which the top chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor, would manufacture before Washington’s sanctions became stringent.

Additionally, there were rumors that Huawei might explore the use of phone cases with built-in modules for 5G connectivity. Similar cases are already available in the market.

Huawei’s flagship phones now use 4G versions of Qualcomm chips. Despite He Gang’s denial, speculations about Huawei’s re-entry into the 5G space continue, backed by alleged insider information and retailer leaks. While He Gang has refuted these rumors, he didn’t categorically rule out a potential 5G phone launch.

Rumored Huawei 5G phones

Initial expectations suggested that the Huawei Mate60 series and Mate X3 foldable would be 5G-compatible, but recent data indicate a change in this plan. The Nova 12 could potentially be Huawei’s first 5G phone, given its development timeline coincides with Huawei’s 5G advancements.

Richard Yu, the Executive Director and CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group and Intelligent Automotive Solutions BU, addressed speculations regarding Qualcomm restarting its 5G supply to Huawei within the year. He emphasized that Huawei can secure the required 5G chips domestically, utilizing advanced semiconductor design tools and chips produced by the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC).

However, the manufacturing capability might be limited due to a low yield of viable chips, less than 50%, which may result in limited distribution of Huawei’s 5G phones. This could delay the launch of 5G versions of flagship models, like the P60, until 2024. There are predictions that Kirin-branded processors will launch later this year, though they might be of limited power.

Huawei’s surprising Q2 2023 performance

Among these speculations, another suggestion proposes that Huawei will debut new smart homes and smart cars around the same time as the rumored smartphone launch. However, Huawei has significantly outperformed in China’s smartphone market in Q2 2023. Even as significant manufacturers experienced a decrease in sales during this period, Huawei’s sales witnessed an outstanding 58% year-on-year growth.

Huawei’s surge in sales can be credited to the revival of its regular product release cycle, capitalizing on its robust brand image and extensive offline distribution channels across major cities. This strategic move helped Huawei enjoy a sales spike after initially resolving product shortages.

Manufacturers like Realme and Apple also saw growth in Q2, while Vivo claimed the top spot with a 17.7% market share.

Huawei’s emphasis on its flagship series and the recent release of midrange and flagship models like the Nova 11 series and P60 series significantly fueled its sales growth. The anticipated Mate 60 series, rumored to boast a notable camera setup, is expected to amplify their sales further. Huawei is also ready to launch its latest Harmony OS 4.0 on August 4th, promising to enhance its smartphone experience.

Moreover, there are indications that Huawei is preparing to resume mass production of its 5G mobile chip, with support from domestic partners. Even as overall Chinese smartphone sales dipped by 4% YoY in Q2 2023, the 618 e-commerce festival in June provided a much-needed boost, offering optimism for a more promising second half of the year.

Can Huawei rebound on the global stage?

Despite current challenges, Huawei’s rumored re-entry into the 5G smartphone market sends a clear message to industry observers: the company is steadfast in its commitment to innovation and customer experience. However, navigating the complex geopolitical terrain won’t be a cakewalk for the Chinese tech titan.

While these innovations may initially encounter setbacks, such as compromised user experience and low yield rates, they provide a valuable lesson in resilience and flexibility. However, Huawei’s domestic focus should not make us overlook the company’s global aspirations.

Despite the sanctions, Huawei’s domestic market dominance offers a beacon of hope for the company. The robust sales growth is a testament to the company’s strong brand image and distribution strategies. As the 5G race intensifies globally, Huawei’s solid home base might provide the springboard it needs to rebound internationally.

In sum, Huawei’s rumored re-entry into the 5G market could be a game changer. It signals not just the potential transformation of Huawei, but a broader shift in the global tech industry towards greater self-reliance and strategic diversification.

The post Despite rumors, Huawei never planned for the release of 5G phones appeared first on TechWire Asia.

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) kicked off in Shanghai on June 28, the first entirely in-person iteration of the event since 2019. Dubbed the leading Asian telecommunications show, vendors took the stage at the three-day event to showcase their cutting-edge breakthroughs across various sectors. As usual, Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co. came to the event in full force, flaunting their 5.5G achievements.

“5G has been in commercial use worldwide for four years. It’s driving new value creation, and 5.5G is the next step forward,” Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s rotating chairwoman and CFO, said in a keynote speech at the opening day of the MWC Shanghai. 

Meng added that since science and technology are moving towards large, complex systems, it’ll require “matching technology to specific scenarios and performing systems engineering to pave the way for 5 G’s ongoing success.”

What is 5.5g, and why did it dominate the Mobile World Congress 2023?

During the Mobile World Congress 2023, Huawei also proposed the concept of a “5.5G Era” based on an end-to-end solution that integrates comprehensive evolved technologies, including 5.5G, F5.5G, and Net5.5G. The 5.5G Era will feature 10 gigabit peak downlink speeds and gigabit peak uplink speeds to meet increasingly diverse service requirements. 

This solution would protect operators’ previous investment in 5G while improving network performance by ten times. It would also refresh the industry vision by using new technologies like passive IoT to unlock a market of 100 billion IoT connections.

5G has been in commercial use for four years. Huawei’s data shows that there are more than 260 commercial 5G networks worldwide, serving over 1.2 billion users, and there are already 115 million gigabit F5G users. 

“With service models and content continuously evolving, breakthroughs in technologies like glasses-free 3D create unprecedented immersive experiences for users. However, these new services continue to require stronger 5G network capabilities,” the company said in a statement.

The industry has widely agreed that 5.5G will be a crucial milestone in 5G evolution, and Huawei sees it fast approaching. “5.5G is the next step forward for 5G. 5.5G will feature […] the ability to support 100 billion connections, and native AI,” Meng added in her speech. 

5.5g will create incredible new business opportunities with more targeted support for industrial needs in domains like IoT, sensing, and advanced manufacturing.

When will it be commercially available?

At the 5G Advanced Forum during the Mobile World Congress 2023, Huawei announced that they will launch a complete set of commercial 5.5G network equipment in 2024. During the announcement, Huawei’s Director and President of ICT Products & Solutions, Yang Chaobin, said the company intends for this launch to mark the beginning of the 5.5G era for the ICT industry.

Considering itself an advocate for end-to-end 5.5G solutions, Huawei said it has been working with multiple players across the industry on R&D and verification of crucial 5.5G technologies. 

“Significant progress has been made in this verification process, specifically for the vast antenna array (ELAA) which underpins 10-gigabit downlink, flexible spectrum access which helps realize gigabit uplink, and passive IoT which can enable 100 billion IoT connections,” it said.

Additionally, Huawei noted that 50G PON is another critical technology enabling 10-gigabit speeds for F5.5G ultra-broadband networks and is expected to be extensively used in homes, campuses, and productions. “Huawei has worked with over 30 operators worldwide on technological verification and application pilots for these technologies,” the Chinese tech giant shared.

Yang also announced that the company has been working on applying AI-native technologies to 5.5G core networks to enhance network capabilities and availability continuously. This would allow AI capabilities to be delivered to the very ends of networks so that they can better serve numerous industries. 

“Net5.5G promises 10-gigabit access, ultra-broadband transport, and microsecond-level latency over AI networks, allowing it to serve as a next-generation network foundation for industrial digitalization by providing high-quality network access,” Huawei noted.

How far are we from 6G?

For technology leaders, the conversations on the sixth generation (6G) mobile system have started. However, Huawei stated that the industry is still in its earliest stages of developing a vision for that network and only just beginning related research into key technologies. 

“This is why many have turned to 5.5G as their milestone for future development. The 10-fold improvement in network capabilities in the 5.5G Era is set to enable numerous industries to unleash the productivity of digital technology,” Yang concluded during his presentation at the Mobile World Congress 2023. 

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