MWC 2025 Reveals 'Fusion of AI and Communication'... AI Integration in Base Stations Too

At the Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC 2025) held earlier this month, the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the telecommunications industry showed signs of becoming full-fledged. Efforts are being made to monetize AI agent services, and the evolution toward AI-RAN, which reduces electricity consumption of base stations (RAN) and automates and optimizes functions, is underway.

Hong Jin-bae, President of the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) (center), is visiting the venue at Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC 2025) held in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by IITP

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The Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP) announced on the 17th that it has published a report containing the technology trends and outlook observed at MWC 2025. IITP identified four major technology trends: ▲convergence of AI and telecommunications ▲monetization ▲5G base station competition ▲future technologies such as 6G and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). As the AI-centered network era officially opens, innovation is accelerating.

First, smartphones are evolving into AI agents that provide customized personalized services. Samsung Electronics showcased technology where an agent integratively performs functions across various applications according to user commands. Chinese companies such as Xiaomi and Honor are rapidly catching up with Samsung, and with the successive release of AI chips and AI glasses, the AI agent market is expanding.

Ericsson, Nokia, and others introduced AI-RAN, which saves energy at base stations and optimizes performance based on AI. Traditional RANs were integrated with hardware and software from specific manufacturers, making compatibility with equipment from other manufacturers difficult. However, through Open RAN, equipment and software from various manufacturers can interoperate. AI-RAN goes beyond this by using AI algorithms to maximize flexibility and efficiency, and continuously improve network performance through learning-based methods. It also enables the provision of new AI-based services.

Telecommunications and equipment companies are actively utilizing AI to transform into technology companies and are making multifaceted efforts to monetize 5G. Huawei demonstrated technology that automates and unmannedly operates factory processes using private 5G, and the French telecom operator Orange launched generative AI services. Notably, this year marks the official start of 6G technology standardization, with over 90 telecom operators partnering with satellite operators to initiate NTN services.

Hong Jin-bae, president of IITP, stated, "This MWC demonstrated that AI is a driving force and essential technology that can create new markets and value for mobile networks," adding, "We will strive to strengthen the competitiveness of the telecommunications industry and lead the global market."

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