SmartViser has exhibited at the Mobile World Congress every year (except for Covid-19) since the company was founded in 2014. This year MWC exceeded its expectations by welcoming 101,000 people from 205 countries and territories around the world according to a statement released by the GSMA the event organizers.
Below we will aim to provide you with some key takeaways from the event MWC24
SmartViser MWC24 in Numbers
Here are some of the key takeaways from the event MWC24:
Satellite Connectivity
The introduction of satellite connectivity in Apple's iPhone 14 marks a significant advancement in the satellite industry, signaling a potential for substantial growth. This development, supported by the comprehensive coverage offered by Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operators such as Starlink, OneWeb/Eutelsat, and Amazon's Kuiper, represents a significant shift in the industry. Additionally, the integration of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards into 3GPP has sparked renewed interest in the Business-to-Business (B2B) and Internet of Things (IoT) sectors, due to increased coverage and reduced costs.
According to the Satellite and Non-Terrestrial Network Summit at MWC 24 the satellite-enabled market is now looking to serve an estimated 500-600 million people worldwide who lack coverage, which accounts for 7% of the global population. This market also aims to reach 300 million people at the edge of current coverage zones and support around 2 billion IoT devices, representing 10% of the potential IoT market. Satellite technology is becoming increasingly vital for providing uninterrupted global connectivity and reliability, especially in critical maritime, agriculture, and transportation sectors. This technology promises to enhance connectivity through lower costs, simpler devices, and higher reliability, particularly for IoT applications.
As the industry progresses toward commercial launches in 2024 and 2025, there is a push to explore strategic priorities, revenue opportunities, competitive dynamics, technological advancements, viable business models, and the regulatory environment. This effort aims to revolutionize global connectivity by integrating satellite services with existing mobile networks (4G and 5G). The focus on both consumer and B2B/IoT segments is expected to offer significant revenue potential for telecommunications companies, satellite operators, technology firms, and systems integrators, moving towards the goal of providing ubiquitous service availability.
AI takes the central Stage
AI was certainly the new buzzword of the Mobile World Congress overtaking the 5G hype. The majority of the conference and exhibition was around AI.
Qualcomm has introduced AI-enabled 5G modems that promise to enhance network efficiency and user experiences. Meanwhile, Google plans to integrate Gemini AI into its Messages app and Maps, enhancing functionality. In a significant collaboration, Telefónica and Microsoft are joining forces to integrate generative AI into Telefónica's Kernel 2.0 innovation platform.
At the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO) held during MWC, AI innovations were a highlight, with categories dedicated to recognizing achievements in AI. Hyodol's AI Elderly Care Platform, offering AI-driven companionship dolls for seniors, won the award for Best Mobile Innovation for Connected Health and Wellbeing. Qualcomm Technologies secured the award in the Best AI Innovation category with its Qualcomm AI Engine, showcasing the growing influence of AI in the mobile industry.
Private Network interest continues to grow
Even though Private Networks was not the show's main theme, the topic was heavily discussed both around the exhibition and at conferences and there are some connections to the Manufacturing DX theme.
The success of digital transformation within Industry 4.0 is significantly influenced by the strength and security of wireless connectivity. Although practical applications are only beginning to surface, the importance of private networks in industrial settings is widely recognized.
Currently, LTE is the predominant technology in private networking, but 5G networks are quickly gaining ground, promising speed, latency, and capacity improvements. Additionally, Wi-Fi 6 has arrived, offering similar enhancements, making it a viable option for industrial use.
Given the critical demand for constant connectivity, businesses face a challenge in selecting the most appropriate technology. Combining 5G and Wi-Fi technologies might present an optimal solution, ensuring robust, uninterrupted, and secure connectivity across different operational scenarios.
Cisco and NTT announced their collaboration to Bring Private 5G to Enterprise Customers to Accelerate Industry Transformation.
Another highlight in terms of Private Networks was the introduction of CloudRAN.AI, a novel platform designed to revolutionize private 5G implementations in industrial contexts. By harnessing artificial intelligence and cloud computing, CloudRAN.AI delivers a cloud-native, AI-enhanced solution specifically crafted for various industrial settings.
EU Energy Labelling Regulation for smartphones and tablets
MWC 2024 marked the first event where live demos took place of the Energy labeling regulations. Energy labelling requirements will apply to smartphones and tablets put on the EU market from 20 June 2025 onwards. Smartphones and tablets will have to display information on their energy efficiency, battery longevity, protection from dust and water, and resistance to accidental drops.
SmartViser was selected by EU Commission to create the beta and Pilot application for the energy labeling regulations smartphones and tablets and has joined forces with Anritsu and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase live demos of the EU Energy Labelling testing.
5G and Beyond
5G has served as a crucial driver for embedding intelligence at the edge of networks, and the upcoming 5G Advanced emphasizes the importance of integrating AI throughout the network. Although there were brief mentions of 5.5G and 6G, the primary focus remained on leveraging current 5G capabilities.
Exhibitors showcased products that were not only smaller and lighter but also offered enhanced performance and efficiency. Despite the slower-than-anticipated deployment of Standalone 5G in public networks, private industrial and enterprise networks witnessed a surge in innovation. Moreover, features from the 3GPP Releases 16 and 17 are beginning to be incorporated into new products.
This sets the stage for future mobile technologies to quickly adapt, manage themselves, and unlock innovative ways we interact with our devices, from holographic communications to gesture recognition for augmented reality applications. Even the concept of 6G is starting to take shape.
Do you want to know more about how SmartViser test automation solutions?
Press Contact:
Email: info@smartviser.com
Author:
Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser, helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service by introducing innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and, in that time, has led teams across the world, mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings diverse skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation.
Susie joined SmartViser in 2016 and is part of the internal steering committee responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organizations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.
Comments