Huawei’s annual Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2024 (MBBF 2024), held in Istanbul this year, showcased a wave of cutting-edge innovations. With Turkey gearing up for a 5G spectrum auction in 2025 and a large-scale rollout anticipated in 2026, Huawei leveraged this event to place its innovative technologies in the limelight.
Among the many mobile solutions presented, innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven network automation, Massive Multiple Input, Multiple Output (mMIMO) technology, wireless backhaul, and antenna design stood out to ABI Research’s analysts who made the trip. These technologies are poised to shape the next phase of mobile connectivity, highlighting Huawei’s transformational impact on the telecommunications industry.
Elevating 5G Performance with AI and Massive MIMO Improvements
Huawei’s latest suite of 5G-Advanced solutions focused on the convergence of 5.5G and AI. Huawei unveiled its new 5G-Advanced (5G-A) solutions, designed to strengthen the integration of 5.5G and AI through two key domains:
- Network for AI: Equips networks with the advanced capabilities needed to support diverse service requirements, enhance performance, and improve user experiences.
- AI for Network: Enables Level 4 (L4) network autonomy by leveraging digital sites and Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Agents for smarter, more efficient operations.
mMIMO also emerged as a game-changer for enhancing capacity, coverage, and user experience. Key innovations showcased at the Mobile Broadband Forum included:
- Sub-1 Gigahertz (GHz) mMIMO: The first 16T16R solution targets low bands for improved uplink and downlink performance, enabling broad, low-latency coverage.
- Blade AAU X: This single-antenna solution supports all sub-6 Gigahertz (GHz) bands, reduces Operational Expenditure (OPEX) by 70%, and simplifies deployments with smaller site footprints.
- U6GHz AAU: This 256T256R solution integrates over 1,500 antenna elements and uses industry-leading Multi-User (MU)-MIMO algorithms. This combination supports a capacity of up to 100 Gigabits per Second (Gbps) and speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Furthermore, it enables coverage to be aligned with the C-Band to ensure uninterrupted indoor experiences.
- EasyAAU: Weighing half of an 8T Remote Radio Unit (RRU) model, this Active Antenna Unit (AAU) accelerates deployment by 40%, catering to both urban and rural areas.
These solutions promise to address adoption barriers and drive commercial demand for mMIMO, particularly in challenging deployment scenarios.
New Microwave Solutions for Broader Backhaul Support
Huawei also unveiled innovations in wireless backhaul, a crucial element for connecting core networks to Radio Access Networks (RANs). Huawei demonstrated at MBBF 2024 that it plans to continue pioneering within the microwave space to bring backhaul to new heights.
- MAGICSwave Full Duplex: Offers 50 Gigabits per Second (Gbps) throughput, doubling link capacity to support dense urban areas.
- RuralCOW: Combines Baseband Unit (BBU), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), and backhaul radio into a single unit, reducing solar panel requirements and simplifying rural deployments.
- Integrated Antenna and Microwave: Reduces installation time and wind load, offering a streamlined approach for challenging deployments.
These products highlight Huawei’s commitment to providing flexible, cost-efficient connectivity options for diverse geographic and operational needs.
Next-Generation Antenna Design: The Alpha Series
Huawei’s Alpha series antennas bring innovations aimed at improving efficiency, digitalization, and deployment simplicity.
- Antenna Information Sensor Unit (AISU): Enables real-time network optimization by transmitting site engineering parameters to operators.
- Signal Direct Injection Feeding (SDIF) and Meta Lens Technology: Improve Radio Frequency (RF) efficiency and network coverage, while reducing signal loss.
- Lightweight Design: Weighing 25 kilograms, the antenna design reduces tower management costs and minimizes storm damage risks.
Why Huawei's Strategy Matters
Once again, Huawei used its MBBF show to remind the industry that it is one of the leading drivers of mobile innovation. As Western operators face challenges like 5G monetization and network slicing, Huawei’s advancements in China demonstrate the potential for rapid innovation. For example, its 5G Standalone (SA) networks have enabled services like VIP plans and dedicated stadium packages that guarantee prioritized traffic.
While Huawei's limited access to Western markets creates challenges, its solutions remain critical for operators aiming to enhance 5G performance and user experiences. In fact, Huawei is expected to be a strategic partner for Turkish operators once a nationwide 5G rollout appears shortly within the next couple of years. As the intersection between Asia and Europe, Turkish deployments of Huawei equipment make for symbolic propulsion into Western countries.
For an in-depth look at Huawei’s latest innovations and its implications for global operators, download ABI Research’s free whitepaper, Key Takeaways From Huawei's Mobile Broadband Forum.
