ZTE intros 5G telecoms service agent
CHINA 11 MRT

ZTE intros 5G telecoms service agent

ZTE has unveiled a service AI agent tailored to personalised customer experiences in 5G networks. The platform integrates with AI-capable 5G core networks using ZTE's system architecture and a Model Context Protocol server, and is then able to implement OSS scenarios in real time for service assurance purposes, orchestrating 5G and 5G-A network resources in response to instructions issued in human language. ZTE said the product would underpin an "Experience as a Service" business model to help 5G operators

Huawei eKit adds 2.5 Gbps PON bundle targeting small and medium-sized enterprises
GLOBAL 11 MRT

Huawei eKit adds 2.5 Gbps PON bundle targeting small and medium-sized enterprises

Huawei's ICT enablement suite for small and medium-sized enterprises, Huawei eKit, is adding a bundle of small-scale fibre-to-the-office (FTTO) products to its offering. It pairs Huawei's F1001 GS-PON optical gateway for symmetrical 2.5 Gbps bandwidth with a multi-mode optical access point, the AP F610D, merging Wi-Fi internet access, telephone and IPTV services into a single fibre connection. Also included is Huawei's StreamerKit F700C platform for accelerated live streaming and AI-powered access point han

U Mobile to pilot AI capabilities in 5G network using ZTE AIR Core platform
MALAYSIA 9 MRT

U Mobile to pilot AI capabilities in 5G network using ZTE AIR Core platform

Malaysian operator U Mobile has signed a partnership deal with ZTE at MWC 2026 in Barcelona. U Mobile will adopt ZTE's AIR Core platform to pilot AI-based capabilities within its 5G network. U Mobile and ZTE will jointly conduct planning and feasibility studies for AIR Core use cases, focusing on three initiatives, including AI + Network Data Analytics Function; AI + User Plane Function; and AI + Operations.

Libya's LTT and ZTE sign MoU
LIBYA 9 MRT

Libya's LTT and ZTE sign MoU

ZTE and Libya Telecom and Technology Company (LTT) signed a memorandum of understanding at MWC Barcelona 2026, establishing a strategic partnership between the two parties to accelerate network infrastructure modernization and foster the growth of Libya's digital economy. Under this MoU, ZTE and LTT are committed to working together on the planning and deployment of 4G and 5G networks to enhance coverage, connectivity, and performance across Libya; jointly develop and integrate innovative services, includin

Ethio Telecom CEO meets Chad's telecom minister to explore collaboration
CHAD 9 MRT

Ethio Telecom CEO meets Chad's telecom minister to explore collaboration

Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru met with Chad's ICT minister Boukar Michel on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress 2026 to explore potential collaboration. Michel praised Ethio Telecom's achievements and said its role in Ethiopia's digital modernisation, by expanding telecom infrastructure such as fibre backbone networks, launching cloud services, mobile money platforms and device financing, were a model for other African operators. Tamru proposed sending a technical delegation to Chad to assess its tele

MWC26 tops 105,000 attendees from 207 countries
SPAIN 9 MRT

MWC26 tops 105,000 attendees from 207 countries

The 2026 edition of Mobile World Congress (MWC26) in Barcelona attracted over 105,000 in-person visitors, just under last year's figure of 109,000 in spite of geopolitical tensions stemming from the US and Israeli strikes on Iran that prompted global travel disruptions. Marking two decades in the Catalan capital, GSMA chief executive John Hoffman said MWC26 welcomed attendees from a total 207 countries. "Twenty years in Barcelona and MWC continues to surprise and surpass expectations," he said.

Turk Telekom taps Nokia for L4S deployment on 5G network
TURKEY 9 MRT

Turk Telekom taps Nokia for L4S deployment on 5G network

Turk Telekom and Nokia have singed a partnership agreement at the GSMA Mobile World Congress to integrate L4S technology into the Turkish operator's 5G network. The L4S technology, recently validated at the Turk Telekom R&D and Innovation Center, uses intelligent traffic management to minimize data packet delays and maintain stable throughput during periods of network congestion.

SNS-JU sparks dialogue about European 6G, AI vision and sovereignty
GLOBAL 9 MRT

SNS-JU sparks dialogue about European 6G, AI vision and sovereignty

The EU's Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU) kicked off Mobile World Congress 2026 Barcelona with an opening session centred on Europe's vision for next-generation connectivity. Focusing on future 6G networks, AI and cloud-to-edge infrastructure, the session started with a talk by SNS-JU's executive director Erzsébet Fitori and Colin Willcock, chair of the governing board and the 6G Industry Association, who relayed SNS-JU's successes in fuelling Europe's 6G ambitions. The session left li

KT to serve as first chair of Korean AI Network Alliance
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 9 MRT

KT to serve as first chair of Korean AI Network Alliance

Korea Telecom (KT) will serve as the first representative chair company of the South Korea's AI Network Alliance (AINA), according to Maeil Business, citing company sources. AINA, or the AI Network Alliance, has been established to support the development of high-performance AI network infrastructure and to promote an industry ecosystem around AI networking technologies.

Far EasTone taps Ericsson for 5G network upgrade
TAIWAN 6 MRT

Far EasTone taps Ericsson for 5G network upgrade

Ericsson has signed a partnership agreement with Taiwanese operator Far EasTone. Under the terms of the deal, Ericsson will help modernize Far EasTone's network with programmable RAN and Core services. The 3-year agreement is expected to accelerate Far EasTone's transition to 5G Advanced while establishing a scalable, 6G-ready architecture.

The week in telecom: MWC brings 5G advances, AI and satellite integration, plus first robot phone
GLOBAL 6 MRT

The week in telecom: MWC brings 5G advances, AI and satellite integration, plus first robot phone

No shortage of news this past week thanks to the annual mobile industry meet-up in Barcelona. Mobile World Congress brought the usual advances in network technology (5G Advanced, pre-6G, Wi-Fi 8), smartphones (Apple, Xiaomi, Motorola, Vivo) and services (mobile-satellite integration, AI edge). While the traditional telecom players like Ericsson, Telefonica and NTT were clearly present, there was also a large contingent of industry newcomers looking to take a piece of the pie, including Amazon, Nvidia and St

Hong Kong Tech Innovators Showcases Research-to-Market Strength, Unlocks New Partnership Opportunities in Europe
EUROPE 6 MRT

Hong Kong Tech Innovators Showcases Research-to-Market Strength, Unlocks New Partnership Opportunities in Europe

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), led a delegation of 20 local innovation and technology (I&T) companies and institutions to Barcelona, Spain, concluding a highly successful participation at the world's premier connectivity event—Mobile World Congress (MWC), and debuted at the startup-centric stage—4 Years From Now (4YFN) 2026. This participation has enabled local tech firms to access markets overseas, showcasing their strengths in research and development (R&D), and demonstrating the city's role as a leading international I&T hub.

GLOBAL 6 MRT

ZTE debuts 5G-A broadband CPE with Wi-Fi 8

ZTE has unveiled its G6 Max enhanced mobile and fixed wireless broadband home gateway at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona. Aligning with ZTE's '5G for All' strategy, the G6 Max is a 5G-Advanced capable cellular broadband gateway that supports both mmWave 800 GHz and sub-6 GHz 400 MHz bandwidths and is compliant with future Wi-Fi 8 specifications. 

GHANA 6 MRT

Huawei provides AI training for 3,000 girls in Ghana, could set up handset plant

ICT minister Samuel Nartey George has obtained a commitment from Huawei to provide free artificial intelligence training for 3,000 girls in Ghana under the government's 'Girls in ICT Programme', News Ghana reported. The agreement was reached with Huawei SVP Steven Yi on the sidelines of the MWC Barcelona 2026. Other talks discussed the possibility of setting up a handheld device assembly plant in Ghana.

AFRICA 6 MRT

MTN Group and Huawei sign Autonomous Networks Level 4 MoU

Huawei and MTN Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at MWC Barcelona 2026 to deepen cooperation on AI-driven intelligent network evolution, digital inclusion, home broadband, data monetisation, digital infrastructure and ESG initiatives. The partnership targets Autonomous Networks level 4 (AN L4).

BRAZIL 6 MRT

Brazilian and Cypriot communication regulators sign MoU

Brazil's Anatel signed an agreement with two Cypriot authorities: the Digital Security Authority and the Office of the Commissioner for the Regulation of Electronic Communications and Postal Services. This memorandum announced at MWC in Barcelona aims to foster collaboration in telecommunications and cybersecurity. The agreement outlines information exchange on regulatory and technical matters, as well as cooperation on international issues and forums. It seeks to support the development of public policies

TURKEY 6 MRT

Turkcell, Ericsson partner on 6G research in Turkiye

Turkcell and Ericsson have signed an agreement at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, to launch a dedicated 6G research and development programme in Turkiye. The partnership will focus on Agentic AI, Autonomous Network Enablers, and Digital Twins technologies for network operations.

TURKEY 6 MRT

Turkcell taps Ericsson for RAN development and 5G Advanced capabilities

Turkcell has selected Ericsson to jointly develop, integrate, and deploy Radio Access Network (RAN) services. This RAN partnership, and an additional memorandum of understanding covering a broad range of additional advanced capabilities, was announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The collaboration will support Turkcell's evolution toward 5G Advanced capabilities, leveraging the recent commercial launch of 5G services in Turkiye.

ZIMBABWE 6 MRT

Econet Zimbabwe signs MoU with Ericsson to advance sustainable network innovation

Ericsson and Econet Wireless Zimbabwe have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain to design, test and deploy next-generation mobile services in Zimbabwe powered by AI, 5G Advanced and enhanced network security. The joint innovation programmes will include initial focus areas such as AI-driven radio access network (RAN) optimization and energy-efficient network evolution, 5G Advanced features, network APIs, network slicing and Internet of Things (IoT)-ena

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 6 MRT

KT unveils no-code AI agent development platform

Korea Telecom (KT) has introduced a no-code platform for building artificial intelligence agents aimed at enterprise users, unveiling the system at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026. The platform, called Agent Builder, is designed to allow users without programming skills to create AI agents using a drag-and-drop interface. 

SRI LANKA 6 MRT

Dialog Axiata taps Ericsson for 5G RAN deployment in Sri Lanka

Ericsson has won a contract from Sri Lankan operator Dialog Axiata to deploy its 5G Radio Access Network (RAN). The deal was announced at the 2026 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Ericsson will supply products and services from its 5G RAN portfolio such as Massive MIMO antenna-integrated radio AIR 3219 for the 3.5GHz band deployment and 5G RAN software, such as the Ericsson 5G Advanced Real-Time AI Powered Automation.

VIETNAM 6 MRT

Viettel inks deals with Intel, AMD, ID Quantique at MWC, joins Qualcomm-led 6G Alliance

Viettel High Tech, the advanced technology arm of Vietnam's Viettel Group, has established partnerships with Intel, AMD and ID Quantique at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026. Viettel has also formally joined the Qualcomm-initiated Global 6G Alliance, committing to a roadmap that targets commercial 6G systems starting in 2029. The collaboration focuses on joint development and validation of key 5G Advanced and 6G technologies.

VIETNAM 6 MRT

Viettel, Aduna strike network API partnership at MWC 2026

Viettel Solutions (VTS), a member of Vietnam's Viettel Group, and Aduna Global have signed a framework agreement for network API services at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona. The deal establishes a framework for Viettel Solutions to collaborate with Aduna on the implementation of network APIs, enabling enterprises and developers to gain simplified access to advanced network capabilities across multiple markets through a scalable model.

MONTENEGRO 5 MRT

Ericsson Nikola Tesla to upgrade Crnogorski Telekom network

Ericsson Nikola Tesla signed an agreement at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona for the continued modernisation and enhancement of Crnogorski Telekom's 5G network. The new agreement outlines further 5G network development, focusing on improving service quality, increasing capacity, and expanding coverage to meet user demands. This includes adding 5G capacity in the 3.6 GHz band in high-demand urban and suburban areas, and deploying new base stations to boost service quality and relieve existing capacity. In

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