- At MWC Shanghai 2024, China’s telecom giants China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom outlined their advanced AI-driven strategies to propel the next growth phase in telecommunications.
- China Mobile introduced three strategic initiatives aimed at integrating AI across its services, enhancing technological innovation with the “BASIC6” program, and upgrading infrastructure to support new productive forces.
- China Telecom and China Unicom emphasised AI’s pivotal role in enhancing 5G network performance and expanding intelligent services, aiming to transform traditional industries and elevate customer experiences through advanced technology integrations.
GSMA MWC Shanghai 2024 was declared officially open during an Opening Ceremony at the Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai today. Participants at MWC are set for for three days of discussion, debate and networking across keynote sessions, conference tracks, and a dynamic show floor spanning five halls at Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre.
At the conference, leaders from China’s top telecom operators—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—outlined their strategies for leveraging AI to drive the next phase of growth in the telecom sector.
With China’s AI sector undergoing a rapid transformation over the past year and 5G-Advanced momentum building for Chinese operators, China is an exciting market to watch and the perfect place to host the Asia-Pacific edition of MWC. The next three days promise to be an unmissable experience for anybody interested in the future of connectivity. Our warmest thanks to everyone who is participating both from China and around the world, making MWC Shanghai a truly international platform.
Sihan Bo Chen, Head of Greater China at the GSMA
Sihan Bo Chen, Head of Greater China at the GSMA, said: “With China’s AI sector undergoing a rapid transformation over the past year and 5G-Advanced momentum building for Chinese operators, China is an exciting market to watch and the perfect place to host the Asia-Pacific edition of MWC. The next three days promise to be an unmissable experience for anybody interested in the future of connectivity. Our warmest thanks to everyone who is participating both from China and around the world, making MWC Shanghai a truly international platform.”
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China Mobile unveils three-pronged AI strategy
Yang Jie, Chairman of China Mobile, revealed the company’s ambitious plans to harness AI technology across multiple facets of its operations. The initiatives include the “AI+” action plan, the “BASIC6” tech innovation program, and the “Dual New” upgrade strategy. These comprehensive strategies are aimed at promoting systemic innovation across the industry, enhancing mobile capabilities for new productive forces.
The “AI+” action plan aims to integrate AI at the core of new productive forces by developing AI-native applications, reshaping public product services, and building an AI+DICT service system tailored for industries like healthcare, education, and entertainment.
The “BASIC6” tech innovation program focuses on bolstering fundamental innovations like multi-modal large models and privacy computing while pushing for advancements in 5G and 6G technology, thereby nurturing the fertile ground for future innovation.
The “Dual New” upgrade strategy intends to solidify the infrastructure necessary for new productive forces by accelerating the integration of terrestrial networks with space and air-based internet technologies and promoting the evolution of computing and data infrastructure.
China Telecom advocates for ‘5G+ Cloud + AI + Applications’
Ke Ruiwen, Chairman of China Telecom, emphasised AI’s role as a pivotal technology driving the new tech revolution and the transformation of the ICT industry. “AI is reshaping network architectures and operational models, significantly enhancing 5G network performance, efficiency, and customer experience,” said Ke. He outlined China Telecom’s strategy to deeply integrate ‘5G+ Cloud + AI + Applications’ with traditional industries, aiming to unlock the full value of 5G through industry application innovations.
AI is reshaping network architectures and operational models, significantly enhancing 5G network performance, efficiency, and customer experience.
Ke Ruiwen, Chairman of China Telecom
China Unicom proposes intelligent solutions for the digital era
Chen Zhongyue, Chairman of China Unicom, discussed the company’s strategy to embrace the intelligent era through three major initiatives aimed at building intelligent network capabilities, advancing intelligent technology, and upgrading intelligent services. “We are facing a new round of technological revolution led by generative AI, and the future is already here,” Chen stated. He highlighted the industry’s challenges such as market saturation in traditional services and the low revenue share from emerging intelligent services, proposing a roadmap that involves integrating AI to transform from a communications service provider to a technology service provider.
We are facing a new round of technological revolution led by generative AI, and the future is already here.
Chen Zhongyue, Chairman of China Unicom
These initiatives collectively underscore the proactive steps being taken by China’s telecom leaders to not only advance their own services but also drive broader industry and economic transformations powered by AI and next-generation networks.
