Istanbul Hosts Global MBB Forum 2024, Focusing on 5G-A and AI Integration
Istanbul, 7 November 2024 — The Global MBB Forum 2024, a notable event in the field of mobile connectivity and AI technology, has officially launched a global recruitment drive steered by the GTI (Global TD-LTE Initiative), centred around their Intelligent RAN and Ubiquitous AI Project. The event marked a significant gathering of leading mobile operators and industrial partners, including renowned names like GSMA, China Mobile, Telefónica, AIS, HKT, Zain, Leju Robot, and Huawei. The primary focus was on the convergence of advanced 5G-A networks with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to unlock new business growth avenues.
Aims and Objectives of the Project
Underpinning GTI's 5G-A×AI Development Program, the Intelligent RAN, Ubiquitous AI Project aims to merge 5G-A capabilities with AI innovations. This convergence is expected to enable features such as intelligent operations and maintenance (O&M), network optimisation, energy efficiency, and the monetisation of user experiences, ultimately enhancing network productivity for global operators. Moreover, the project is designed to accelerate the growth of the mobile AI sector, fostering advancements in industrial benchmarks and presenting high-quality use cases by leveraging AI across multiple sectors.
Since the introduction of commercial 5G, approximately 5.94 million 5G base stations have been established worldwide, catering to about 1.87 billion users. The evolution to 5G-A aims to deliver new value to individuals, families, and industries. As generative AI technologies mature, they increasingly meld with 5G-A to drive intelligent applications and multimodal interactions. In pursuit of maximising this synergy, GTI initiated the 5G-A×AI Development Program in May, envisioning a future of innovative applications, new business value, and accelerated AI industry growth.
Progress and Development
Since inception, the program has garnered strong support with over 20 operators and partners from Asia, the Americas, and Europe. These stakeholders have actively participated in essential initiatives, such as establishing open laboratories, fostering a collaborative innovation community, and exploring advanced use cases involving the 5G-A×AI integration.
Currently, four open labs are operational, designed to support innovations in the 5G-A×AI domain. These labs provide fundamental environments, equipment, industrial application scenarios, and other resources focused on AI for Radio Access Networks (RAN) and RAN using AI.
In a bid to propel an open, cooperative innovation society, GTI along with GSMA Foundry, launched the inaugural set of "Challenges" in September this year. These challenges aim to tackle key integration obstacles between 5G-A and AI whilst promoting new avenues for collaboration.
Exploring Use Cases and Business Models
The initiative has delved into high-value digital and intelligent scenarios across various sectors such as daily life, heavy industry, energy, transportation, and municipal management. By evaluating successful integrations of 5G-A and AI, GTI has developed replicable business model templates that serve as benchmarks for value creation and monetisation of digital advancements.
GTI's Collaborative Legacy and Future Prospects
Established in 2011, GTI has evolved into a formidable international collaborative platform in global mobile communications. With 146 operators and 262 industry partners currently enlisted, GTI continues to drive integrated innovations in technology, business, and ecosystems, underpinning the digital and intelligent transformation of economies and societies. This strategic focus anticipates unlocking new revenue streams and propelling industrial growth on a global scale.
The Global MBB Forum 2024 has thus set a significant precedent for the mobilisation of 5G-A and AI integration, paving the way for tangible advancements in the mobile connectivity landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services