5G Maturity Stage... 6G Vision Presented
Massive Participation of Chinese Companies
Network Usage Fee Disagreement Reconfirmed
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] The world's largest mobile telecommunications exhibition, Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023, concluded on the 2nd (local time). It showcased cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G, presenting a vision for the future.
MWC2023 was held from the 27th of last month under the theme 'Velocity.' This year marked the first fully offline event since the spread of COVID-19, with about 2,400 companies from 202 countries participating. Visitors reached 88,500, 10% more than initially expected, attending the exhibition without masks. The organizers stated that the event generated an economic impact of 350 million euros (approximately 487.9 billion KRW), energizing the entire city.
AI, XR, Robotics, Open RAN... A Showcase of Latest 5G-Based Technologies
As 5G enters its maturity phase and preparations for 6G commercialization advance, this year’s MWC focused more on the latest technologies based on 5G, such as artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), robotics, and the metaverse, rather than 5G itself. Additionally, it presented visions for next-generation communication technologies like Open RAN.
Korean companies, including Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, and KT, totaling 130 firms, demonstrated their technological capabilities at MWC. Samsung Electronics exhibited the Galaxy S23 series, launched on the 17th of last month, showcasing a 200-megapixel camera and excellent gaming experiences. Next-generation network technologies were also displayed. Amid rising interest in AI following ChatGPT, domestic telecom companies emphasized AI. SK Telecom introduced the super-large AI 'Aidot' and AI semiconductor Sapeon. KT exhibited the super-large AI 'Mideum' and AI research portal 'Genie Labs.' SK Telecom’s urban air mobility (UAM) exhibit was one of the most popular corners at MWC, with long lines from morning. High-ranking officials from overseas telecom companies showed interest, visiting Samsung Electronics’ booth via Telef?nica and SK Telecom’s booth via Deutsche Telekom.
Meanwhile, KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo unexpectedly canceled a press conference just before MWC after deciding not to seek reappointment. Koo delivered a keynote speech revealing the achievements of the 'Digico (Digital Platform Company)' transformation over the past three years.
A view of Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain, where Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 is being held. [Photo by Oh Su-yeon]
Chinese Companies’ Advances... Differences on Network Usage Fees Reaffirmed
The advances of Chinese companies were also a major highlight of this MWC. Huawei attracted attention by occupying an entire exhibition hall?five times larger than Samsung Electronics’ booth?out of seven halls. Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor also secured prime locations with large-scale booths. Although they could not participate in CES 2023 held in the U.S. in January due to U.S.-China tensions, they are knocking on the European market’s door instead. Huawei showcased almost all products from communication equipment to smartphones. Xiaomi’s robot 'Cyber Dog' and the 'Xiaomi 13' series, launched in collaboration with German camera company Leica, also drew attention. Samsung Electronics executives were seen touring the Chinese companies’ exhibition halls.
Global big tech companies, telecom operators, and the European Union (EU) clashed over network usage fees, but no meaningful conclusion was reached. Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market, pressured big tech to contribute to network construction during his opening keynote, stating, "Europe wants to consider a fairly distributed funding model for large-scale network investments." On the other hand, Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, countered, "Netflix might even ask network operators to share content production costs," arguing that network usage fees result in double charging consumers. Additionally, the Korea Telecommunications Operators Association (KTOA) and the European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO) signed a memorandum of understanding on sharing network usage costs, jointly responding to network usage fees.
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