Press Release

Huawei released a series of all-scenario U6 GHz products today at MWC Barcelona 2026 to help carriers unlock the full potential of 5G-A and set the stage for a seamless transition to 6G. The company also launched enhanced AI-Centric Network solutions that will help carriers prepare for the agentic era by enabling intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NEs). Huawei is also showcasing its SuperPoD cluster for the first time outside China, which they have created to offer “a new option for the intelligent world”.

The theme of Huawei’s booth for this year’s conference is “Advancing All Intelligence”, reflecting the company’s plans to build more AI-centric networks and computing backbones that will help carriers and industry customers seize opportunities from the AI era.
U6 GHz: Unlocking 5G-A potential for a smooth transition to 6G

According to Huawei, the next five years will provide a window of opportunity to unleash the full potential of 5G-A. They plan to work with global carriers on the large-scale 5G-A deployment, use high uplink to address surging consumer and industry demand for mobile AI applications, and use the U6 GHz band to unlock the full value of spectrum and pave the way for smooth evolution to 6G.

There are already 70 million 5G-A users globally, and 5G-A is increasingly being adopted by carriers at scale. In China, Huawei has helped carriers deliver contiguous 5G-A coverage across 270 cities and launch 5G-A packages that monetize experience in over 30 provinces.

The all-scenario U6 GHz products and solutions Huawei released today use innovative technologies to create a high-capacity, low-latency, optimal-experience backbone designed for mobile AI applications.

Three-layer intelligence with AI-Centric Network: Seizing opportunities in the agentic era

Following the trend to integrate AI directly into networks, Huawei is using AI to create AI-Centric Network solutions that will act as target networks for the agentic era. These solutions embed intelligence across three layers:

At the service layer, Huawei is helping carriers build multi-agent collaboration platforms, with specialized agents for calling, experience monetization, and home broadband. These platforms will enable AI-driven transformation of carriers’ core services like voice, internet access, and home broadband.
At the network layer, Phase 1 of Huawei’s L4 Autonomous Driving Network (AND L4) solution primarily focuses on single-scenario automation, helping carriers drastically improve O&M efficiency, network quality, and monetization capabilities. By the end of 2025, the company’s single-scenario ADN solutions have been commercially deployed on more than 130 telecom networks worldwide. Moving forward, Huawei will continue to help carriers reshape operations with AI, going beyond single-scenario automation to support end-to-end single-domain network autonomy.
At the NE layer, Huawei works with carriers to accelerate innovation in areas like algorithm optimization for RANs, intelligent and accurate service identification for WANs, and unified service intent for core networks that helps integrate B2C and B2H services. Innovations in these domains are already driving marked improvements in network energy and spectral efficiency, intelligent service awareness, and network resilience assurance.
Computing backbone with SuperPoDs and clusters: A new option for the intelligent world

In the computing space, Huawei is showcasing its computing cluster and SuperPoD products featuring new innovations in system-level architecture, including its UnifiedBus technology for SuperPoD interconnect, for the first time outside China. Key products on display will include the Atlas 950 SuperPoD for AI computing, the TaiShan 950 SuperPoD for general-purpose computing, the Atlas 850E SuperPoD, and the TaiShan 500 and TaiShan 200 servers. These offerings are Huawei’s answer to demand for stronger compute and lower latency – two elements that are especially critical as trillion-parameter AI models become more commonplace and agentic AI is introduced into core production systems.

These offerings also reflect Huawei’s ongoing commitment to going fully open source and open access. The company is actively working with partners to build an open computing ecosystem and provide the world with another option for solid computing power.

In the enterprise space, Huawei’s focus at MWC is on helping different industries accelerate their intelligent transformation. Together with customers, partners, and representatives from different industries, Huawei will unveil a series of innovative practices that are helping different industries go intelligent on all fronts. The company will also share its new offerings in digital and intelligent infrastructure, and give updates on its latest efforts in partner ecosystem development. In total, Huawei will feature 115 industrial intelligence showcases for enterprise customers in different domains; its SHAPE 2.0 Partner Framework; and 22 new industrial intelligence solutions jointly developed with partners.

In the consumer space, Huawei’s theme for this year’s MWC is “Now is Yours”. The company is working to deliver an unparalleled intelligent experience for consumers in all scenarios, and will showcase a range of new smartphones, wearables, tablets, PCs, and earphones that feature its latest breakthroughs in areas like foldable screens, health and fitness, mobile photography, productivity, and creativity. In 2026, Huawei will keep innovating to deliver competitive products with a superior experience, giving consumers greater freedom to discover and create in their own unique way.

Huawei also announced today that it had successfully surpassed the commitment it had made to help drive digital inclusion and combat the rapidly widening digital divide. By the end of 2025, Huawei had worked with customers to provide connectivity to 170 million people in remote areas across more than 80 countries, giving more people access to inclusive digital services.

MWC Barcelona 2026 will be held from March 2 to March 5 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.

The era of agentic networks is now approaching fast, and the commercial adoption of 5G-A at scale is gaining speed. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to unleash the full potential of 5G-A and pave the way for the evolution to 6G. We are also creating AI-Centric Network solutions to enable intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NEs), speeding up the large-scale deployment of level-4 autonomous networks (AN L4), and using AI to upgrade our core business. Together with other industry players, we will create leading value-driven networks and AI computing backbones for a fully intelligent future.

For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2026

[Barcelona, Spain, March 2, 2026] During MWC Barcelona 2026, Huawei released 115 industrial intelligence showcases, together with its customers, during Industrial Digital and Intelligent Transformation Summit 2026. The summit, titled Advancing Industrial All Intelligence, was held by Huawei to explore new practices in industrial intelligence with its customers, partners, and peers. In addition, Huawei also announced the launch of upgrades to its SHAPE 2.0 partner framework. Huawei also showcased 22 new industrial intelligence solutions with partners, for the electric power, manufacturing and retail, finance, transportation, oil and gas, ISP, media, public service, and smart city sectors.

Huawei proposed the ACT Pathway: A replicable intelligence framework

AI technologies have advanced rapidly over the last year, with reasoning models and agentic workflows both maturing, and physical AI beginning to truly take off. This has allowed AI tools to begin entering core production scenarios and helped applications move from pilots to large-scale use. AI agents can also now better understand and interact with the physical world, and are now capable of making decisions independently.

Huawei introduced the ACT Pathway, which they have developed during their collaboration with global customers over the past few years.

Three key steps specified in the ACT framework were mandatory for achieving comprehensive industrial intelligence. The first step is “assessing high-value scenarios”. So far, Huawei has helped customers identify over 1,000 core production scenarios where AI can play a big role. The second step is “calibrating AI models with high-quality vertical data”. Huawei has built a 6-layer AI security framework to ensure every stage of the AI lifecycle is secure and trustworthy. The third step is “transforming business operations with AI talent”. Talent that understands both industry and AI are needed. Huawei does this by focusing on three areas, including hands-on practice programs, CANN open-source communities, vertical industry communities on Huawei Cloud, and ICT Academies.

Huawei worked with customers to release global industrial intelligence showcases

During the summit, A number of Huawei’s customers joined on stage to help launch 115 global showcases for industrial intelligence, including executives from Eskom, Shandong Port Group, Converge ICT, HM Hospitales, and PetroChina (Beijing)’s Digital Intelligent Research Institute, CNPC, providing reference for organizations of various sectors to embark on their journey towards intelligence.

Huawei invited customers to release industrial intelligence showcases. (from left to right: Len De Villiers, Chief Technology and Information Officer of Eskom; Zhang Liangang, Chief Scientist of Shandong Port Group; Nicholas Ma, Corporate Vice President, President Global Gov. & Enterprise Key Accounts, Huawei; Dennis Uy, CEO and Co-Founder of Converge ICT; Dr. Juan Abarca Cidón, President of HM Hospitales; and Su Yila, Deputy Director of PetroChina (Beijing) Digital Intelligent Research Institute Co., Ltd, CNPC)

Huawei upgraded the SHAPE 2.0 partner framework

Huawei upgraded the SHAPE 2.0 partner framework with AI as the core engine. The concept includes five major updates:

The First is AI-powered products upgrades. Huawei is embedding AI into product and solution offerings, such as the new network agents which can now automate fault location and network optimization to make O&M more efficient.

Secondly, Huawei has upgraded their joint innovation mechanism. Partners can use one-stop AgentArts on Huawei Cloud to develop agents and industry AI solutions.

The third is helping partners develop AI capabilities. Huawei has released a set of standards for AI capabilities and launched over 20 new AI certification courses. And it plans to help more than 1,000 partners get AI-certified.

The fourth is making cooperation more efficient with AI. Huawei provides multiple AI tools that help partners increase productivity, like AI-assisted configuration and HUAWEI eKit chat for technical support. These tools make it easier for us to work together.

Fifth is creating more growth opportunities with AI. This year, Huawei is deploying over 3,000 scenario-specific AI experts and launching intelligent transformation lighthouse projects across 38 industries. Its AI-integrated solutions, like the Atlas 850 server, empower partners to efficiently build their own all-in-one AI solutions.

At the summit, Huawei showcased 22 of its latest industrial intelligence solutions jointly developed with partners in the electric power, manufacturing, retail, finance, transportation, oil and gas, ISP, media, public service, and smart city sectors.

Global customers and partners shared innovative practices at the summit, working together to advance industrial all intelligence

Len De Villiers, Chief Technology and Information Officer of Eskom, said at the summit, “Sustainable electricity supports economic growth, reduces poverty, and improves living standards. Eskom remains pivotal in transforming lives through our significant contribution to South Africa’s economy. Eskom’s strategy and turnaround plan is to pursue financial and operational sustainability, and to modernize power system and energy transition. Through unbundling, Eskom will evolve to be more agile and attract the funding required to deliver the future energy landscape and economic growth.”

Ng Wun-kit, Principal of Pui Kiu Middle School, Hong Kong, China, said at the summit, “Vision of Pui Kiu Middle School in the AI era is to be a leading AI-driven educational pioneer, leveraging technology to deliver personalized, intelligent learning, and cultivate future-ready leaders with global perspectives and innovative minds. We have already implemented AI General Knowledge Course, AI-Empowered Smart Classroom, and Smart & Safe Campus. We will launch the Global Model School of Huawei AI Education Center (AIEC) Solution, and we look forward to sharing our transformative journey, proven methodologies with the international community.”

Hoy-Jin Lee, Vice President of Sales, Solum Europe GmbH, said at the summit, “With the industry’s most extensive ESL lineup, Solum is equipped to optimize any store setting. We have jointly developed an All-in-One Retail Infrastructure Platform, unifying telecom infrastructure and ESL into one scalable, cost-efficient architecture. This solution features a unified gateway that supports LTE, Wi-Fi and ESL, with no dedicated ESL AP required; it offers pre-integrated, ready-to-use deployment and an independent, secure network architecture, which can help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) by up to 55 percent and deliver up to 33% savings for large-format stores.”

A Comprehensive display of intelligent transformation, innovative digital infrastructure, and partner ecosystem

In the Enterprise Business exhibition area in Hall 1, 98 exhibition stands and 51 interactive demos were set up to demonstrate Huawei’s commitment to intelligent transformation and innovative digital infrastructure, showcasing the latest products, solutions, and global practices of industrial intelligent transformation to customers and partners.

In addition, Huawei set up a dedicated partner exhibition area to display its latest partner policies, tools, marketable solutions, and star products.

The Huawei Enterprise booth at MWC Barcelona 2026 

MWC Barcelona 2026 is held from March 2 to March 5 in Barcelona, Spain. Huawei Enterprise attended the event with the theme of Advancing Industrial All Intelligence. The Huawei Enterprise booth was located at 1H50, Hall 1, Fira Gran Via. For more information, please visit: MWC Barcelona 2026, Huawei Enterprise 

News

By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

The Wireline Competition Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a $34.5 billion deal which will see Charter Communications acquire a wide range of assets from Cox Enterprises.

The deal, approved on Friday, includes Cox’s residential cable, commercial fiber, managed IT, and cloud businesses, according to the FCC.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the approval “ensures big wins for Americans.”

Comments from Carr were included in the FCC’s announcement Friday.

“This deal means that jobs are coming back to America that had been shipped overseas,” he said. “It means that modern, high-speed networks will get built out in more communities across rural America. And it means that customers will get access to lower priced plans.”

Carr lauds deal as a win against DEI policies
Carr’s statements about the deal took aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which he has lobbied against fiercely on the FCC.

“On top of this, the deal enshrines protections against DEI discrimination,” he stated.

According to the FCC, Charter implemented “new safeguards” to “protect against DEI discrimination,” the statement reported.

“Specifically, Charter commits to recruiting, hiring, and promoting individuals based on the factors that matter most: skills, qualifications, and experience,” the statement also read.

The recently approved deal was first announced back in May.

In the deal, Cox Enterprises contributes Cox Communications’ residential cable business to Charter Holdings, which is an existing subsidiary partnership of Charter, the company previously announced.

The FCC says Charter will ” invest billions of dollars to upgrade its network and deliver high-speed service to homes and businesses across the country” as a result of the deal.

“This means that Americans will see faster broadband and lower prices,” the FCC’s release stated. “Additionally, Charter’s Rural Construction Initiative is activating new services across rural states, which can bring better service and job opportunities to rural America.”

This article was originally published by our affiliated publication, Broadband Communities – read more at www.bbcmag.com

Press Release

[Barcelona, Spain, March 1, 2026] Huawei will release the Agentic Core solution at MWC 2026 in Barcelona. This solution will leverage three engines—NE intelligence, network intelligence, and service intelligence—to address key challenges in the AI era, such as the sharp increase in traffic, differentiated network requirements, and new service monetization for operators, and promote the large-scale commercial use of intelligent network.

NE intelligence: As AI agents become a core capability of next-generation AI phones, the number of connected entities will increase tenfold, with connections extending from “humans” to physical AI (such as embodied robots and autonomous driving). This will require the introduction of key capabilities such as digital identity, agent registration and discovery, and A2A session management to build a low-latency, highly reliable network foundation, supporting the large-scale commercial deployment of physical AI.

Network intelligence: As service AI agents become more prevalent, they will generate diverse network experience requirements. For example, AI robots may require 100 Mbit/s bandwidth and 20 ms latency. Therefore, it is necessary to evolve from predefined rule networks to intent-driven networks, where network AI agents will understand the needs of different organizations, dynamically match resources, and implement a closed-loop process for policy generation, configuration, and delivery.

Service intelligence: Compared to OTT players, operators have more opportunities to provide inclusive intelligent services. Huawei supports operators’ service innovation through three key services, going beyond connectivity. AISF (Service Intelligence) will evolve from an interactive entry point to a full-featured personal assistant, integrating communication, content, and services. Communication experiences will shift toward immersive interactions, breaking through the boundaries of voice. The integration of computing and networks will continue to be commercialized, providing sustainable computing power support for AI inference and content generation.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to deepen the three-layer intelligent collaboration practice with operators, aiming to provide 7×24-hour inclusive intelligent connectivity, and work together to bring users a more efficient, convenient, and intelligent digital life, and create new value in the intelligent internet era.

Press Release

Business technology provider, TalkTalk Business, has formally completed its separation from TalkTalk Group as of the end of February, marking a significant milestone in its evolution as an independent managed network service provider.

Following the sale of TalkTalk Business Direct in 2023, TalkTalk Business maintained access to certain core TalkTalk Group systems while rapidly developing its own independent operating environment. That phased transition is now complete, with an established operational infrastructure, modernised system stack and comprehensive service delivery capabilities, cementing its position as a standalone business.

The separation provides full autonomy over strategy, investment and systems, creating the foundations for accelerated growth. With a simplified operating structure and system stack, TalkTalk Business is positioned to respond more quickly to market demand, expand its product portfolio and to continue its investment in customer service.

For customers, the change delivers clearer accountability, streamlined processes and access to an evolving suite of technology solutions. New operational frameworks and product developments are already in place to strengthen service delivery and support long-term digital transformation ambitions.

The milestone aligns closely with TalkTalk Business’s strategic repositioning, reflecting its evolution beyond connectivity into managed services. A recently refreshed brand identity underpins the company’s focus on enterprise and public sector customers, delivering managed and unmanaged services spanning connectivity, networking, cyber security, cloud, IOT and voice and collaboration.

TalkTalk Business continues to work with strategic technology partners including Cisco, Zoom and Mitel, ensuring all customers have the right technology solutions to adapt, grow and stay competitive.

Ruth Kennedy, CEO at TalkTalk Business, said: “This marks the beginning of the exciting next phase for TalkTalk Business. We are now operating as a fully independent organisation with the agility and focus needed to deliver our strategy at pace.

“Our evolution into a managed network service provider is central to our growth ambitions. By combining our connectivity heritage with broader technology expertise and strong strategic partnerships, we are building a business designed specifically to support customers with secure, end-to-end solutions. This separation gives us the clarity and momentum to drive that forward.”

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Press Release

The distribution of quantum keys while maintaining commercial traffic has been successfully tested over a distance of 40 km in Milan

TIM has successfully completed the first test in Italy of quantum-safe communications between Data Centers on an operational network infrastructure, validating the use of quantum key distribution for data stream encryption in a real operating environment.

TIM’s initiative is part of a broader set of projects aimed at strengthening the country’s digital sovereignty and, in particular, the security of the entire network-data center-cloud ecosystem, with the aim of increasing resilience, operational continuity and the protection of sensitive data. In a context where the ability to protect strategic infrastructure and data with secure and manageable solutions is becoming a competitive factor for businesses and public administrations, the project confirms TIM’s role as an enabler of digital sovereignty and quantum technologies.

The test, carried out in collaboration with Cisco, verified the integration of the quantum component with existing network and security architectures. The signal dedicated to key distribution was co-propagated with traditional data traffic on the same pair of optical fibres, along a 40 km route crossing several TIM network nodes in the Milan urban area, connecting two of the Group’s main Data Centers. This deliberately complex configuration – with numerous junctions and intermediate components – demonstrated the robustness of the solution in real-world scenarios of interconnection between Data Centers, such as replication, backup and disaster recovery.

The project leveraged the expertise of TIM Enterprise ecosystem: Telsy and QTI for the encryption and quantum security component, and Noovle for the Data Center infrastructure.

The trial is part of TIM’s broader commitment to quantum communications at European level. TIM has successfully coordinated the three-year European QUantum ecOsystems (EQUO) project (2023–2025), funded by the European Commission as part of the Digital Europe Programme to support the development of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI). The main objectives of EQUO concern the development of quantum key distribution networks and services, according to control and management architectures consistent with emerging standards.

With these initiatives, TIM takes another step forward in bringing innovative, reliable solutions to the market that are geared towards protecting critical data, responding to the security needs of companies in increasingly complex and sensitive scenarios, as well as to the security regulations and directives of the competent authorities to ensure the cyber resilience of networks.

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Press Release

Virgin Media O2 has today switched on O2 Satellite, a new satellite-to-mobile service powered by Starlink Direct to Cell, marking a major step forward in extending mobile connectivity across the UK.

This makes Virgin Media O2 the first operator in the UK and Europe to launch satellite powered data services, enabling customers to stay connected in areas with no traditional mobile coverage, known as ‘not-spots’.

The service boosts Virgin Media O2’s UK landmass coverage from 89% to 95%, delivering a coverage uplift equivalent to an area around two thirds the size of Wales.

O2 Satellite has been designed to complement O2’s existing mobile network and customers will connect automatically when traditional cellular coverage is unavailable. This will help people stay connected when travelling or taking part in activities such as hiking, climbing, water sports and sailing, offering greater peace of mind in rural, coastal and other remote locations.

As well as extending coverage into not-spots, O2 Satellite provides more resilience and acts as a back-up, helping customers retain connectivity in the rare event of a local cellular network outage where coverage is completely unavailable.

At launch, O2 Satellite supports text messaging and data across apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Maps and more, providing an additional layer of reassurance when customers move beyond terrestrial mobile networks. The service is initially available to customers with the latest Samsung smartphones*, with support for other devices, manufacturers and apps to be introduced soon.

The service is the result of a UK-first partnership with SpaceX, using Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellites to deliver connectivity direct to mobile devices using O2’s licensed mobile spectrum transmitted from space.

The launch of O2 Satellite follows successful internal trials, with Virgin Media O2 employees already using the technology in real-world conditions across the country.

At launch, O2 Satellite is available as a £3-per-month bolt-on and will be included at no extra cost for all Ultimate Plan customers in the near future, benefiting tens of thousands of consumers.

Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, said: “This is a defining moment for UK mobile connectivity and a statement of our intent to keep innovating and ensure our customers can stay connected no matter where they are. By launching O2 Satellite, we’ve become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service that, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two thirds the size of Wales for the first time.

“We already have the UK’s largest 5G+ footprint and we’re not standing still, investing heavily this year in our mobile network to give O2 customers a brilliant, reliable service that they can depend on.”

Baroness Lloyd, Minister for the Digital Economy, said: “This is a major achievement for the UK and demonstrates leadership in next-generation connectivity.  Being the first in Europe to launch direct-to-device satellite data services puts the UK firmly at the forefront of mobile innovation.  O2 Satellite is a boost for growth and connectivity and a strong signal of the UK’s leadership in the global digital economy.”

Stephanie Bednarek, VP of Starlink Commercial Sales said: “Delivering Starlink Direct to Cell in partnership with Virgin Media O2 underscores the importance of keeping people connected no matter where they are. For the first time, millions of people across the UK will have access to data, voice and video through apps, and messaging in remote areas where terrestrial coverage isn’t available.”

The switch on of O2 Satellite follows Ofcom’s recent approval of the UK’s first licence for satellite-to-smartphone services.

O2 was recently recognised as the most improved mobile network across Europe in Umlaut Connect’s Mobile Network Test, an independent and comprehensive benchmarking report. It was also awarded Best Mobile Network Coverage at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards for the second year in a row, which recognised the scale, reach and reliability of O2’s mobile network. In its full year 2025 financial results, Virgin Media O2 reported that its 5G Standalone network now reaches 87% of the UK outdoor population – the largest 5G Standalone footprint in the country.

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Interview

We spoke to Octave’s Director of EMIA (Utilities and Communications), Jean-Francois Allard, to discuss taking digital modelling to the next level

Telcos are some of the most data-rich organisations on the planet but using that data effectively remains a major challenge. For Jean-Francois Allard, Director of EMIA (Utilities and Communications) at Octave, a spin-off from Hexagon, digital twins – digital replicas of physical assets enabling real-time interaction – are a vital platform for leveraging that data.

“It’s about creating a continuous loop, where changes in the physical world are reflected in the digital world and vice versa,” he explained. “To say it shortly, our main goal is to put data in action.”

Allard argues it is useful to consider digital twins not as a novel system, but rather as a maturation of earlier digital models.

Previously, digital models focussed primarily on digitising physical assets into a central inventory. These models were limited by their relatively static nature, requiring significant manual oversight to generate actionable insights. As such, these models have quickly evolved into what Allard terms ‘digital shadows’, where sensors and field data provide a one-way stream of real-time information into the model.

A digital twin takes this paradigm to its logical conclusion, making the system synchronised and bidirectional, allowing it to autonomously react to incoming data in real-time.

“You can have in real time both real world and digital world that are synchronized so that fully autonomously, this is the ultimate goal,” says Allard.

While industries like nuclear power are already approaching this level of sophistication for security reasons, Allard estimates that telecom is still “5 to 10 years” away from full autonomy.

Managing the complexity of telco networks

What makes a telecoms digital twin more complex than a water or power grid? According to Allard, it is the interplay between physical infrastructure and logical services. In what he terms a “relational digital twin,” the system must track everything from the trench in the ground to the specific IPTV service running through a single strand of fibre.

“In telecom, you manage the physical aspects… but also what’s inside,” Allard explains. “You need to know this hierarchy at all times[…] so that you can manage the services, the fibre links, and fibre channels in near real-time.”

This precision understanding of huge, distributed networks and their various technical elements not only allows for more efficient automation, it also improves customer experience. By using OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) technology integrated with a digital twin, for example, Octave can locate a network failure within 10 metres on a 100-kilometre backbone network, resulting in faster repair and less downtime.

Infusing digital twins with AI 

As the industry looks toward the next decade, AI is the clear catalyst for scaling these digital twins. However, Allard warns that the “intelligence” of the system is strictly capped by the quality of the underlying data.

“AI today is only valid if the data you are using to feed your AI is valid. Good data will provide good AI analysis. Bad data can only bring you bad answers,” he cautions.

When the data is sound, the applications can be highly effective. Allard highlights two primary use cases:

1. Automated digitisation: Using machine learning and point cloud analysis to turn field photographs into “intelligent” data automatically.
2. Plain language interactivity: Combining available data with generative AI allows engineers to perform complex analysis “just by talking with your own words” to the system. This is faster than performing the analysis manually and often yields more effective results.

“What if you are in the green field and you want to find a route but you have no information but pictures?” Allard asks. “AI can help you. AI can identify a route just based on the pictures. So, this is where AI can go beyond just using existing data – it can create a new path that you didn’t even didn’t think about.”

Getting the foundation right

Building an effective digital twin is a major undertaking. For Allard, the key is to build with purpose rather than chasing a “rich” but unusable model. He suggests starting with the basics, like connection points, nodes, and cabinets, rather than trying to map every inch of the network at once.

“Anticipate […] Ask what you want to do with your data,” Allard concludes. “Very often we see customers having a very, very rich model, but it’s so complex that it’s very difficult to take a benefit from it.”

Octave Website; Youtube; LinkedIn

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News

The operator says reintegrating the tower assets will strengthen its African operations and improve financial metrics

African telco giant MTN Group is set to take full control of IHS Towers, one of Africa’s largest independent tower companies, in a deal valued at $6.2 billion.

The deal will see MTN acquire the 75% stake in IHS that it doesn’t already own for $2.2 billion in cash.

“This proposed transaction is a pivotal step in further strengthening MTN Group’s strategic and financial position for a future where digital infrastructure will become ever more essential to Africa’s growth and development. This transaction gives us a unique opportunity to buy back our towers and strengthen our ability to be partners for progress to the nation states in which we operate,” said MTN CEO Ralph Mupita.

The deal is subject to the typical regulatory approvals, with watchdogs likely to look closely at the impact on competition, given IHS also rents their infrastructure to MTN’s rivals across Africa.

For MTN, the move represents something of a strategic U-turn. The operator group has pursued an asset-light approach for the past decade, selling many of its towers – largely to IHS – in multiple markets.

In recent years, however, MTN’s relationship with the tower company has grown more complicated. The operator has repeatedly complained about IHS’s corporate governance, particularly that IHS had capped its voting rights at 20%, despite MTN owning a stake of around 26% in the business.

At the same time, IHS saw major losses from the devaluation of the Nigerian naira in 2023, leading MTN to attempt to seek adjusted lease terms to reduce foreign‑currency exposure.

Given this increasingly difficult operating relationship, MTN’s stake acquisition represents an opportunity to simplify and de-risk the company’s balance sheet by removing long‑term lease liabilities.

Market watchers will be watching whether MTN’s reintegration of roughly 29,000 African sites delivers the financial and strategic gains management forecasts, and whether rivals respond with selective buybacks, new sharing deals, or continued reliance on independent towercos.

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