- AI will certainly be hot at this year's show
- GSMA will be focusing on private networking
- Analyst Roy Chua notes that the org now reports there 1,500 production private networks outside of China
As fall comes around, a wireless reporter’s thoughts turn to flying across the United States to sun-bleached Nevada to cover the annual Mobile World Congress Las Vegas (MWC LV) show. No, really.
Analysts told Fierce that 5G private networking will be front and center at the Vegas show, particularly after the GSMA released its latest private networking update this September. EJL Wireless president Earl Lum noted that generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) will be rampant on the floor.
The former CTIA show may have lost some of its sparkle as the North American arm of the yearly Barcelona wireless jamboree. In fact, in the weeks leading up to the show a couple of analysts have asked whether they should even attend the event. Nonetheless, we've got meetings set up in glitter gulch. We’ll be covering everything from public 5G operators, to growing private networks and the ascendance of all things AI.
AI
Operators and vendors will doubtless be keen to show multiple applications enabled by GenAI. We, however, will be looking for proof of AI managing telecom networks as we’ve seen little beyond tests and trials on that yet.
Private networks
Often paired with a side of AI – private networks will also be in the air at MWC. From the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)-based OnGo Alliance, to neutral host mavens such as Boldyn and airport-happy private network providers like Boingo Wireless, all are exhibitors at this year’s show.
“We’re going see a bunch of private 5G discussions because the GSMA just put up their latest update on private networking, reporting about 1,500 production private wireless deployments outside of China...so, I think the momentum is building around private 5G,” said AvidThink analyst Roy Chua in a call with Fierce Friday.
We will surely get an earful from operators like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon about how they are helping connect victims of Hurricane Helene across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. From cells on wheels (COWs) to massive emergency response trucks, hurricane response is just a fact of life for operators these days.
Join me in Las Vegas next week by following along as I head west.