Huawei: The Journey to Future 6G Networks Must Embrace AI
With the release of the ITU-R 6G vision framework, the 3GPP (The 3rd Generation Partnership Project) will start its standardisation of 6G in 2025.
As the next generation of mobile technology, industry professionals are touting the mobile technology as not simply an upgrade of 5G, but rather a network that is designed to bring new value to its users.
With this in mind, at the September 2024 6G Conference in Istanbul, Dr. Wen Tong, Huawei Wireless’ Chief Technology Officer (CTO), delivered a keynote speech on the standardisation and innovation of 6G.
He shared his views on the future architecture, deployment and key technologies required to bolster the roll-out of 6G, suggesting that the future network would benefit from embracing the power of artificial intelligence (AI).
“6G is a true intergenerational technological disruption,” Dr. Tong explained. “The 6G standard, key technologies and network architecture should be re-defined based on application scenarios and requirements from 2030 to 2040.
Embracing a new standard
5G has already achieved considerable success within the mobile market and continued to evolve towards 5G-Advanced services.
However, simply reusing this core network, according to Dr. Tong, will hinder innovation.
When it comes to how 6G will be designed, Dr. Tong indicates that the network should go beyond service-based architecture and instead move towards an applications-driven network (ADN).
An ADN is a network architecture that is designed to provide customised services for applications by splitting the network into isolated sub-networks. In this way, each sub-network can have its own network architecture and protocol to serve a specific application.
“6G should not be another way to implement 5G. Instead, 6G should embrace the AI revolution with a quantum leap and generate new values for the consumers. In this way, 3GPP standards can truly realise the 6G vision and create greater value for the entire industry,” he says.
“We should use Agentic-AI based technology to re-architect 6G Core that goes beyond 5G Service-Based Architecture and support the foundational capabilities of AI, Sensing and NTN and thus evolve towards the Application Driven Network.”
His speech also suggested that 6G user devices will require powerful pioneering technology to lead the success of the entire industry chain.
“The 6G networks and 6G terminals must meet the requirements of consumers and vertical industries in the 6G market phase from 2030-2040,” he notes.
Confronting a new era of AI
When it comes to mobile technology development, it is clear that AI is already starting to become a key enabler for 6G networks.
Already, smartphones are evolving to embrace AI as the telecommunications sector undergoes rapid digital transformation around the world. It has already been anticipated that AI will bring with it a range of benefits, including enhanced network optimisation, hyper-personalised services, greater network security and opportunities for edge computing.
With this in mind, Dr. Tong calls for ‘Full AI’ - a drive towards a greater 6G network upgrade, which he says could lead to greater successes across the entire mobile industry ecosystem.
“6G should embrace the AI revolution with a quantum leap,” he says. “However, 6G networks should not be limited to generative AI (Gen AI) - general artificial intelligence (AGI) and Embodiment-AI are the main directions of future AI development.”
“AI will become a key enabler for 6G as the network paradigm shifts. Twenty years ago, the Internet was the enabler of technological innovations. Mobile communications embraced the Internet and achieved great business success. Today, AI may be the disruptive enabler of the latest technology innovations.”
He adds: “Therefore, AGI should run through the whole process of sensing, reasoning, decision, and action of terminals, wireless networks and core networks of 6G, to welcome the arrival of a new network paradigm.
“We should focus on true generational technology disruption, embrace the new opportunities brought by AI and expand the mobile industry in the next generation.”
Huawei at GITEX
These insights and innovations can be witnessed at this year’s GITEX. From October 14 to 18, Huawei will be a Diamond Sponsor at the 44th GITEX GLOBAL 2024, one of the world's largest technology exhibitions.
With the theme of "Accelerate Industrial Digitalization and Intelligence", Huawei will launch a series of flagship products and solutions for the global enterprise markets, Reference Architecture for Intelligent Transformation, and rich innovative practices in digital intelligence in the global industry.
At the same time, Huawei will hold the Huawei Industrial Digital and Intelligent Transformation Summit 2024, dozens of forums, hundreds of talks and keynote speeches, exchanging thoughts with the industry. At this exhibition, Huawei's booth is located at B10&B20, Hall 22, Dubai World Trade Center. It covers an area of more than 1400 square metres, with the focus on two themes: "Accelerate Industrial Digitalization and Intelligence" and "Leading Digital and Intelligent Infrastructure".
They are extending a welcome for all to visit the GITEX Global Huawei exhibition area to experience and join its journey of "Accelerate Industrial Digitalization and Intelligence".
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