Huawei steals the show at MWC 2023. Here’s everything it announced

• Huawei flexed its muscles in Barcelona last week by having the most prominent presence at MWC 2023, flaunting its 5G developments and more.
• The new solutions launched include embracing the 5.5G network, the next-generation microwave MAGICSwave, the world’s first Dual-Engine Container solution, the Digital Managed Network Solution, One 5G solution, new ICT Digital Intelligence Service and Software Solution, and a new Storage Solution to Build Data Infrastructure.

Huawei Technologies has once again proved that despite being at the center of the ongoing geopolitical battle between the US and China for years, the Chinese technology giant is a force to be reckoned with. Even as Western sanctions have crippled parts of its business, Huawei, during the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023, has proved how it is securing its future through diversification.

For starters, Huawei occupied the largest exhibition space at the recently concluded MWC 2023, filling 9,000 sq. meters right near the entrance. The smartphone and network equipment giant expanded its footprint by 50% from last year, organizers said. One notable difference is that Huawei pivoted away from smartphones toward cloud technology and other business solutions during the four-day congress.

There is no doubt that Huawei has had to battle a lot of negative press over the past few years, particularly in the aftermath of its troubles with the Trump administration. Just as it was on the cusp of breaking into the US market with its smartphones, the government dropped the hammer and effectively banished Huawei from the lucrative market.

It went one step further and leaned on its allies across the globe to stop using Huawei network equipment, leading to billions in losses for the company. The Trump administration also cut the company from US technology while it was peaking in the global 5G race. Yet, the company strived, albeit at a far slower pace than it ideally wanted.

Huawei founder Zhengfei Ren indicated that the company is in “survival mode” and will need to cut back or close businesses that cannot generate value and profit. Huawei will instead channel resources to more profitable operations, like its cloud operations, Ren said last year. That was Huawei’s approach in Barcelona during MWC 2023. It almost seemed like Huawei had a point to prove, and it did that spectacularly.

Huawei reigned over 5G at MWC 2023

Experts reckon that Huawei’s supersized presence at the show is essentially a sign of defiance. Despite the American sanctions, Huawei proved that it is alive and kicking. For starters, Huawei launched a string of cutting-edge solutions in its latest push to innovate in the era of 5.5G, an evolution of 5G technology.

Huawei also unveiled a series of One 5G solutions capable of driving all bands to 5G. The President of Huawei’s wireless product line, Cao Ming, said, “To help operators maximize the value of each band and continuously improve network capabilities in multiple dimensions, Huawei’s One 5G solutions will not only deliver industry-leading performance but also feature simplified deployment as well as unrivaled energy efficiency and evolution ability.”

According to data compiled by Huawei, by the end of 2022, 5G had already proven to be a global commercial success, with over a billion mobile users connecting with 5G. Leading operators in China, South Korea, Switzerland, Finland, and Kuwait have already achieved 5G user penetration rates of more than 30%, with more than 30% of their traffic coming from 5G, Huawei said.

Adding to that, Li Peng, President of Huawei’s Carrier BG, outlined how 5G will not be enough to address the needs of the service providers to meet the demand for ultra-high-speed connectivity and extremely low latency. Li noted that since 6G is still some time away, 5.5G will help service providers meet evolving market needs.

Following Huawei’s concept of “Striding Towards the 5.5G Era,” proposed in July 2022, Huawei has laid out five major characteristics of the 5.5G era: 10 Gbps experiences, full-scenario interconnection, integrated sensing and communication, level 4 autonomous driving networks and green information and communications technology. Li said the transition from 5G to 5.5G will be crucial to meet these expanding demands. 

Therefore, he said Huawei is prepared to collaborate with its industry partners to deliver a ubiquitous 10-gigabit experience using cutting-edge wireless, optical, and IP technologies. “Huawei will join hands with global operators to accelerate network upgrades and the application of new technologies, helping operators continuously expand their business boundaries and seize opportunities with ultimate user experience to lead the future,” Li concluded.

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