Despite the Middle East War leaving some attendees stranded, the momentum at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona remained high.
Grabbing the headline is that 5G is making way for 6G which is being positioned as the backbone for AI-driven initiatives. Major tech giants and telcos unveiled prototypes, roadmaps, AI-native architecture and industry partnerships.
Korea’s KT Corporation revealed its vision for 6G emphasising how the network will act as a brain for future tech like robotics and self-driving cars. Its strategy is two-fold. First, it is using “AI-for-Network” that is using the AI to build and manage the network itself and harnessing AI agents and digital simulations to catch problems before they occur. Second, it is also focussed on “Network-for-AI”, optimising the network to ensure the ability to offer ultra-fast response times for split-second decision making needed in robotics and robot cars.
The South Korean telecom giant outlined phased trials starting in 2027 that blend optical and wireless networking for terabit speeds. Unlike 5G’s commercialisation race, it is prioritising customer experience gains, cost restructuring for carrier sustainability and new markets through integrated AI-network ops.
China’s Huawei launched a comprehensive hardware portfolio aimed at evolving 5G into a foundation for 6G including opening up a wider lane for data. This technology is targeting massive AI workloads of 100Gbps downlink and more than 10Gbps uplink via 400MHz bandwidth.
Ericsson and Qualcomm showcased 400MHz carriers in 6-8 GHz bands that align with 3GPP Release 20 studies for enhanced coverage.
Global 6G coalition
At the event, Nvidia and major telecom operators and providers committed to developing 6G networks built on open, secure and AI-native platforms. The global coalition includes Booz Allen, BT Group, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Mitre, Nokia, Ocudu Ecosystem Foundation, ODC, SK Telecom, SoftBank, and T-Mobile. The aim is to create intelligent infrastructure supporting physical AI for autonomous machines, vehicles and robots.
Nvidia envisions 6G as software-defined networks embedding AI across radio access, edge, and core to enable secure sensing, real-time intelligence and interoperability.
“AI is redefining computing and driving the largest infrastructure buildout in human history — and telecommunications is next. Together with a global coalition of industry leaders, Nvidia is building AI-RAN to transform the world’s telecom networks into AI infrastructure everywhere,” said Nvidia’s founder and CEO Jensen Huang.
AI-native innovations
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), a South Korean research institute, showcased six AI-based 6G technologies focussing on AI-native network optimisation, energy efficiency and next generation connectivity.
Qualcomm prototyped Giga-MIMO and sub-band full duplex for efficient AI agents and sensing. These are foundational technologies which can undertake two tasks at the same time: send massive amounts of data and “see” the physical way.
As speed-engine for the future AI, the technologies support always-on AI agents, immersive extended reality and high precision sensing. They are being developed to tap into the upper mid-band spectrum (7GHz to 24GHz) to ensure these advanced AI features work reliable over large areas.
Singapore in 6G development
Separately, SUTD and MediaTek unveiled in a media release this week, a joint 6G research laboratory to accelerate the development of 6G technologies.
Backed by more than S$34 million of funding, the MediaTek-SUTD Joint Laboratory will tackle pivotal 6G challenges, such as non-terrestrial satellite networks, AI-native radio access networks, and strategies to enhance energy efficiency in telecom infrastructure.
Targeting commercial 6G launches around 2030, the joint laboratory will connect academic research with industry needs by advancing both fundamental studies and initial prototypes.
At MWC 2026, the message is clear: 6G is set to be a pivotal change. It will be a massive leap forward, offering speeds 50 times faster than 5G and near-instant response times. With the capacity to connect 10 million devices per square kilometre, it will provide the raw power needed to run metaverses, manage autonomous fleets of self-driving vehicles and power complex simulations needed for climate modeling.
As Qualcomm’s CEO Cristiano Amon quipped at MWC: “If you actually believe in the AI revolution, 6G will be required. Resistance is futile.”
BY EDWARD LIM
Edward Lim is Editor of Entelechy Asia and Managing Consultant of CIZA Concept. This story is produced through a content partnership between Entelechy Asia and News on Tech, bringing together shared perspectives on technology and innovation.
Entelechy Asia 