MWC Shanghai 2025 officially opened with a strong emphasis on innovation, showcasing the rapid technological evolution reshaping industries across Asia and beyond. With over 400 speakers and a robust lineup of keynotes, conference tracks, and showcases, the three-day event is spotlighting emerging technologies under four core themes: 5G Inside, AI+, Connected Industries, and Connected Enablers.
This year’s event reinforces China’s role as a global innovation leader. Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA, highlighted China’s dominance in 5G and AI development, noting the nation’s robust ecosystem of operators and developers working collaboratively to push the boundaries of digital transformation.
The exhibition floor presents a dynamic range of futuristic applications — from AI smartphones and robotaxis to humanoid robots and autonomous mobility — highlighting the region’s role as a launchpad for next-gen digital experiences. John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA, described the show as one of the “most vibrant editions” yet, driven by Asia’s fast-moving digital industries.
Open Gateway and the Rise of APIs
MWC25 Shanghai is also a milestone for the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, which is gaining strong momentum in China. The GSMA Open Gateway Summit featured discussions on monetizing network APIs, integrating GenAI, and scaling real-world deployments. With China accounting for 94 percent of global network API spend in 2024, the market is poised for exponential growth — reaching an estimated $2.8 billion by 2030. All 14 of China’s mobile operators have joined the initiative, and API-based services are already being deployed across gaming, finance, media, and manufacturing.
Next-Gen Collaboration Through GSMA Foundry
The GSMA Foundry is hosting live innovation showcases, including China Mobile’s Agentic AI for Telcos, ZTE’s multi-agent collaboration tech, and Skylo’s satellite-powered emergency messaging demo. These efforts underscore the growing importance of cross-sector collaboration in scaling digital breakthroughs.
Path to 6G and AI Convergence
The GTI Summit at MWC25 explores the path from 5G-Advanced to 6G, emphasizing AI’s growing role in telecom innovation. Winners of the “New Calling x AI” Challenge and the GTI 5G-A×AI Development Programme will be honored for their contributions to the next wave of connectivity solutions.
New Zones for Policy, Innovation, and Startups
MWC25 introduces several new features, including the GSMA Innovation Frontier Zone, the GSMA Policy Leaders Forum, and the Future Tech Hall. The event also hosts the 2025 World Robot Contest Qualifier and IOTE, alongside a revitalized 4YFN platform for startups. These additions broaden the event’s appeal across industries and policy sectors, reinforcing its status as a global tech innovation hub.
Sustainability in Focus
In line with its sustainability goals, GSMA released the Mobile Net Zero Greater China report, revealing a 4 percent drop in operational emissions by Chinese operators — despite continued 5G expansion. The event also launched a recycling initiative with SNIEC, placing collection bins throughout the venue to encourage responsible waste management.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
