Sabrina Meng, the Rotating Chairwoman and CFO of Huawei delivered a keynote speech at the MWC Shanghai 2023, shedding light on the 5G value that has been generated since its commercial debut. In her address, Meng emphasized the transformative power of 5G in consumer markets, industries, and the overall socio-economic landscape.
Discussing the future of 5G, Meng expressed her enthusiasm for 5.5G, the next evolutionary phase of this groundbreaking technology. She highlighted its pivotal role in driving the digital transformation of various industries and stressed the significance of developing more integrated capabilities.
Consumer impact of 5G, Cloud, and AI
Meng underscored the profound impact of 5G, cloud computing, and AI on consumers, resulting in a cascade of events that have created an environment where individuals can both buy and sell. This convergence of technologies has ushered in a new era of immersive experiences, exemplified by innovations such as 5G New Calling and naked-eye 3D. Additionally, 5G has paved the way for enhanced IoT connectivity, enabling unprecedented productivity and connectivity between devices.
Empowering industries with 5G
The transformative potential of 5G extends to industries, becoming a catalyst for increased productivity. Meng highlighted the growing alignment between technology suppliers, partners, and customers, who recognize the immense value that 5G can offer. Through strategic patience, deep comprehension of industrial scenarios, and continuous improvement of return on investment (ROI), 5G has found its place in domains like mining, ports, and manufacturing.
The future of 5G: Introducing 5.5G
Looking ahead, Meng delved into the ongoing evolution of 5G technology and introduced the concept of 5.5G. This next step in the 5G journey will encompass remarkable features such as 10-gigabit download speeds, gigabit upload speeds, support for 100 billion connections, and native AI integration. Notably, 5.5G will not only enhance connectivity for individuals but also unlock exceptional business opportunities, with targeted support for IoT, sensing, and advanced manufacturing needs.
Elevating 5G through comprehensive systems engineering
To propel 5G to greater heights and provide increased value across diverse vertical markets, Meng emphasized the importance of finding the right technological solutions for different scenarios and adopting a holistic systems engineering mindset. Collaborative efforts within the industry, involving peers, partners, customers, and developers, will be crucial for solution modeling, optimization, and the development of tools and methodologies. By establishing a solid foundation throughout the product lifecycle, from research and development to supply and marketing, ongoing success can be achieved.
Integrated capabilities and the future of communications
Meng emphasized that the development of integrated systems capabilities is not only vital for 5G but also for shaping the future of communication. Two key aspects of integrated capabilities were highlighted: integrating different technologies and adopting diverse management approaches. Synergy across cloud, networks, edge computing, and devices must be fostered, alongside optimizing software, hardware, chips, and algorithms to enhance competitiveness. Furthermore, embracing digital and intelligent transformation and redefining relationships between people, events, things, and theory will be pivotal in overcoming future challenges and cultivating a forward-thinking approach to management.
Meng hightligted to convey her anticipation for the boundless possibilities that lie ahead with every breakthrough in science and technology. She encouraged a collective imagination to envision the future, underlining the need for integrated capabilities, comprehensive systems engineering, and open-minded management practices to shape a world empowered by technology.
