2026 Showcase
Welcome to the NextGenInfra MWC 2026 Showcase. We're on the ground, grabbing videos from telco's leading executives at the GSMA's MWC in Barcelona amidst the 100K+ human attendees (all armed with their AI agents). We will upload videos as best we can, while we're on the go.
Meanwhile, as you patiently await the full complement of videos from the show, download a copy of our latest 2026 NextGen Enterprise Connectivity report, which covers the convergence of enterprise networking and security, and touches on the state of SASE, SD-WAN, ZTNA, and Campus NaaS. You know, the "hot" value-add services that run on top of our wireless, wired, and non-terrestrial networks.
2026 MWC Barcelona
Welcome to the NextGenInfra MWC 2026 Showcase. We're on the ground, grabbing videos from telco's leading executives at the GSMA's MWC in Barcelona amidst the 100K+ human attendees (all armed with their AI agents). We will upload videos as best we can, while we're on the go.
Meanwhile, as you patiently await the full complement of videos from the show, download a copy of our latest 2026 NextGen Enterprise Connectivity report, which covers the convergence of enterprise networking and security, and touches on the state of SASE, SD-WAN, ZTNA, and Campus NaaS. You know, the "hot" value-add services that run on top of our wireless, wired, and non-terrestrial networks.
Sponsor Spotlight Arrcus
AI Inference Network Fabric: Low Latency Solutions for Service Providers
Sanjay Kumar, VP of Products and Marketing at Arrcus, announces the Arrcus inference network fabric at MWC 2026, a solution enabling network operators to deliver agentic and physical AI with low latency, data sovereignty, and reduced cost per inference. He reveals a partnership with Fujitsu combining Fujitsu's Monaka processor with Arrcus' programmable operating system and Oneinity's optical interconnect, along with customer announcements with Lightstorm, demonstrating Arrcus' capabilities across edge 5G, multicloud networking, and data centers.
Sponsor Spotlight Cisco Systems
Building Service Provider Networks for the AI Era
Gurudatt Shenoy, Senior Vice President of Data Center and Provider Connectivity at Cisco Systems, discusses how AI requires service provider networks that can manage high traffic volumes, performance-sensitive workloads, and secure traffic within sovereign boundaries. He explains that Cisco addresses these requirements through its new Cisco Silicon 1 technology and routing infrastructure systems specifically designed for AI-era demands.
Sponsor Spotlight Dell
Building AI-Ready Networks for the Service Providers
Sandro Tavares, Director, Telecom Systems Marketing at Dell, presents the company’s breakthrough XR9700 server, the industry’s first outdoor-capable system that eliminates the performance gap between traditional and cloud-based radio systems while running cloud RAN and edge AI applications with Intel Xeon 6 processors. Dell is engaged in productive customer discussions and expects significant cloud RAN deployments as network architecture evolves toward cloud-native environments for AI and next-generation networks.
Sponsor Spotlight DriveNets
AI Powered Network Automation
Dudy Cohen, VP of Product Marketing at DriveNets, presents the company's dual AI strategy at MWC 2026, introducing automation tools that simplify service provider operations and enable autonomous networks while helping operators leverage existing infrastructure for new AI business opportunities. DriveNets enables service providers to use the same infrastructure for both legacy services and new offerings like GPU-as-a-service, allowing them to build GPU clusters, become neo-clouds, and capitalize on the AI market.
Sponsor Spotlight GSMA
GSMA Launches Open Telco AI
Louis Powell, AI Initiatives, Engagement & Technical Lead at GSMA, announces the Open Telco AI initiative at MWC Barcelona 2025, a collaborative effort with AT&T and Deutsche Telekom to develop "telco grade AI" that addresses current limitations in understanding telecommunications standards and performing deployable root cause analysis at scale. The initiative focuses on benchmarking performance metrics, building appropriate datasets, and training specialized models through a community-driven approach featuring competitions, hackathons, and code sharing, inviting operators, vendors, academics, researchers, and startups to join at gsma.com/opentelcoai.
Sponsor Spotlight HPE
Distributed AI Workloads Reshape Network Infrastructure
Julius Francis, Senior Director, Product Marketing at HPE, explains how AI workloads are becoming distributed across multiple sites beyond traditional data centers, requiring robust networking infrastructure, and how HPE's integration with Juniper combines compute, storage, networking, and security capabilities including cloud-native routing in ProLiant servers for edge environments. He highlights opportunities for telecommunications providers to leverage their infrastructure for distributed AI interconnection and announces the SPX 12000 router, delivering over 500 terabytes per second in 32RU with 800 Gig capability and 1.6T readiness, featuring deep buffers, low latency, and line-rate security for hyperscalers, telcos, and cloud-scale enterprises.
Sponsor Spotlight Marvell
The New Open Centralized Unit Distributed Unit (OCUDU) Effort
Joel Brand, AVP, Product Marketing at Marvell, explains how major wireless vendors are shifting to software differentiation while adopting standardized CPUs and GPUs, creating opportunities for harmonization through initiatives like the Linux Foundation's OCUDu and OCP projects. He highlights that Marvell is uniquely positioned as the only provider of macro-grade merchant silicon to address the industry's economic challenges by moving from custom silicon to market-optimized solutions that offer better cost efficiency and power performance at scale.
Sponsor Spotlight MKWK Consulting
From Standardization to AI-Driven Consumption
Markus Kümmerle, Principal at MKWK Consulting, reports from Mobile World Congress Barcelona that the API ecosystem achieved 60 stable APIs in 2025 and is now shifting focus to customer value through channel partner products and aggregated API solutions. He explains that the industry must enable agentic AI and large language models to discover and call APIs through MCP servers, with CAMARA adapting its guidelines to support both product development and MCP server deployment for increased API consumption.
Sponsor Spotlight Nokia
Network Visibility Across Domains
Robert Shore, Head of Optical Network Marketing at Nokia, discusses how Nokia's comprehensive end-to-end view of network connectivity—spanning mobile networks, core networks, submarine networks, and data center interconnect—provides valuable perspective for developing optical networking solutions. Shore explains that understanding what happens in the RAN and access networks enables Nokia to build better optical solutions that can accommodate the types of traffic flowing between the RAN and data centers, ultimately delivering a more holistic network solution for customers.
Sponsor Spotlight Nokia
Physical AI in Action
Houman Modarres, Head of Enterprise Marketing at Nokia, presents the company's physical AI initiative at Mobile World Congress, showcasing Surf food delivery trucks with Nvidia Jetson GPUs deployed across seven US cities in partnership with DoorDash and Uber Eats. Nokia is collaborating with Nvidia and T-Mobile to build an "AI grid" that distributes processing across devices, AI RAN, and network layers, enabling applications like safe navigation, human assistance, and multilingual customer support through LLMs running on the radio network.
Sponsor Spotlight Nokia
Nokia's 800G Pluggables for AI Data Center Networks
Jon Baldry from Nokia presents the company's 800 gig pluggable optical connectivity solutions for data center interconnection at Mobile World Congress, demonstrating through augmented reality how the technology reduces power consumption by 65-70% compared to embedded optics—a critical advantage for power-constrained data center operators managing AI-driven traffic between core and edge facilities. Nokia maintains its competitive edge in the 800 gig ZR and ZR plus optics market through vertical integration, manufacturing pluggables, subsystems, and optical chips at its indium phosphide fabrication facility in California, enabling superior transmission distances and supply chain control.
Sponsor Spotlight NVIDIA
90% of Telcos See Revenue Gains from AI
Chris Penrose, Global Head Business Development - Telco at NVIDIA, presents findings from NVIDIA's fourth annual AI report showing that 90% of telecom respondents report AI is already increasing revenues or reducing costs, with planned AI spending jumping from 65% in 2024 to 89% in 2025. Network transformation through AI has become the top use case, with 77% of respondents expecting to implement AI-native networks before 6G arrives, focusing on spectral efficiency, energy efficiency, performance improvements, and service personalization.
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Analysis by AvidThink
What we learned at MWC 2026
Twelve conversations in Barcelona point to one shift: AI stopped being a telco experiment and became the business plan.
Telcos moved from AI pilots to AI P&L
NVIDIA's fourth annual telco AI report found 90% of operators say AI is already raising revenue or cutting costs, with planned AI spending jumping from 65% to 89% year over year. DriveNets' pitch captures the ambition: run GPU-as-a-service on existing infrastructure and become a neo-cloud.
Service provider networks are being rebuilt for inference
Arrcus debuted an inference network fabric aimed at low latency, data sovereignty, and cost per inference; Cisco positions purpose-built silicon and routing for AI-era traffic that must stay within sovereign boundaries; and Nokia's 800G pluggables cut DCI power 65–70% for operators moving AI traffic between core and edge.
AI-native networks are coming before 6G
77% of operators in NVIDIA's survey expect AI-native networks before 6G ships. The GSMA's new Open Telco AI initiative with AT&T and Deutsche Telekom aims to build 'telco grade AI' — with benchmarks, shared datasets, and deployable root-cause analysis — rather than waiting for general-purpose models to learn telecom.
Physical AI escaped the lab
Nokia's Surf delivery trucks carry Nvidia Jetson GPUs across seven US cities for DoorDash and Uber Eats, while Nokia, Nvidia, and T-Mobile build an 'AI grid' that distributes processing across devices, AI-RAN, and network layers. The radio network is becoming an inference platform.
Openness gets practical: merchant silicon and agent-callable APIs
Marvell argues wireless differentiation is shifting to software atop standardized silicon, backed by Linux Foundation OCUDu and OCP harmonization. On the services side, CAMARA's 60 stable telco APIs are pivoting to channel products — and to MCP servers, so agentic AI can discover and call network capabilities directly.
Highlights from industry thought leaders
Video interviews
AI Inference Network Fabric: Low Latency Solutions for Service Providers
- Arrcus debuts an inference network fabric targeting low latency, data sovereignty, and lower cost per inference for agentic and physical AI
- Fujitsu partnership pairs the Monaka processor with Arrcus' programmable OS and Oneinity optical interconnect
- Lightstorm named as a customer, spanning edge 5G, multicloud networking, and data centers
Abstract
Sanjay Kumar, VP of Products and Marketing at Arrcus, announces the Arrcus inference network fabric at MWC 2026, a solution enabling network operators to deliver agentic and physical AI with low latency, data sovereignty, and reduced cost per inference. He reveals a partnership with Fujitsu combining Fujitsu's Monaka processor with Arrcus' programmable operating system and Oneinity's optical interconnect, along with customer announcements with Lightstorm, demonstrating Arrcus' capabilities across edge 5G, multicloud networking, and data centers.
Building Service Provider Networks for the AI Era
- AI-era SP networks must handle high traffic volumes, latency-sensitive workloads, and traffic secured within sovereign boundaries
- Cisco positions its new Silicon 1 technology and routing systems as purpose-built for these AI-era demands
Abstract
Gurudatt Shenoy, Senior Vice President of Data Center and Provider Connectivity at Cisco Systems, discusses how AI requires service provider networks that can manage high traffic volumes, performance-sensitive workloads, and secure traffic within sovereign boundaries. He explains that Cisco addresses these requirements through its new Cisco Silicon 1 technology and routing infrastructure systems specifically designed for AI-era demands.
Building AI-Ready Networks for the Service Providers
- Dell's XR9700 is the industry's first outdoor-capable server, running cloud RAN and edge AI on Intel Xeon 6
- It closes the performance gap between traditional and cloud-based radio systems
- Dell expects significant cloud RAN deployments as architectures go cloud-native for AI
Abstract
Sandro Tavares, Director, Telecom Systems Marketing at Dell, presents the company’s breakthrough XR9700 server, the industry’s first outdoor-capable system that eliminates the performance gap between traditional and cloud-based radio systems while running cloud RAN and edge AI applications with Intel Xeon 6 processors. Dell is engaged in productive customer discussions and expects significant cloud RAN deployments as network architecture evolves toward cloud-native environments for AI and next-generation networks.
AI Powered Network Automation
- DriveNets pursues a dual AI strategy: automation for autonomous SP operations plus new AI revenue on existing infrastructure
- The same infrastructure serves both legacy services and GPU-as-a-service offerings
- Operators can build GPU clusters and become neo-clouds to capture the AI market
Abstract
Dudy Cohen, VP of Product Marketing at DriveNets, presents the company's dual AI strategy at MWC 2026, introducing automation tools that simplify service provider operations and enable autonomous networks while helping operators leverage existing infrastructure for new AI business opportunities. DriveNets enables service providers to use the same infrastructure for both legacy services and new offerings like GPU-as-a-service, allowing them to build GPU clusters, become neo-clouds, and capitalize on the AI market.
GSMA Launches Open Telco AI
- GSMA launches Open Telco AI with AT&T and Deutsche Telekom to build "telco grade AI"
- Targets today's gaps in understanding telecom standards and deployable, at-scale root cause analysis
- Community-driven model with benchmarks, datasets, competitions, hackathons, and code sharing at gsma.com/opentelcoai
Abstract
Louis Powell, AI Initiatives, Engagement & Technical Lead at GSMA, announces the Open Telco AI initiative at MWC Barcelona 2025, a collaborative effort with AT&T and Deutsche Telekom to develop "telco grade AI" that addresses current limitations in understanding telecommunications standards and performing deployable root cause analysis at scale. The initiative focuses on benchmarking performance metrics, building appropriate datasets, and training specialized models through a community-driven approach featuring competitions, hackathons, and code sharing, inviting operators, vendors, academics, researchers, and startups to join at gsma.com/opentelcoai.
Distributed AI Workloads Reshape Network Infrastructure
- AI workloads are distributing beyond the data center, demanding robust networking across many sites
- HPE-Juniper integration unifies compute, storage, networking, and security, including cloud-native routing in ProLiant edge servers
- New SPX 12000 router delivers 500+ TB/s in 32RU with 800G and 1.6T readiness, deep buffers, and line-rate security
Abstract
Julius Francis, Senior Director, Product Marketing at HPE, explains how AI workloads are becoming distributed across multiple sites beyond traditional data centers, requiring robust networking infrastructure, and how HPE's integration with Juniper combines compute, storage, networking, and security capabilities including cloud-native routing in ProLiant servers for edge environments. He highlights opportunities for telecommunications providers to leverage their infrastructure for distributed AI interconnection and announces the SPX 12000 router, delivering over 500 terabytes per second in 32RU with 800 Gig capability and 1.6T readiness, featuring deep buffers, low latency, and line-rate security for hyperscalers, telcos, and cloud-scale enterprises.
The New Open Centralized Unit Distributed Unit (OCUDU) Effort
- Wireless vendors are shifting to software differentiation atop standardized CPUs and GPUs
- Linux Foundation OCUDu and OCP projects open the door to hardware harmonization
- Marvell claims to be the only provider of macro-grade merchant silicon, trading custom silicon for better cost and power at scale
Abstract
Joel Brand, AVP, Product Marketing at Marvell, explains how major wireless vendors are shifting to software differentiation while adopting standardized CPUs and GPUs, creating opportunities for harmonization through initiatives like the Linux Foundation's OCUDu and OCP projects. He highlights that Marvell is uniquely positioned as the only provider of macro-grade merchant silicon to address the industry's economic challenges by moving from custom silicon to market-optimized solutions that offer better cost efficiency and power performance at scale.
From Standardization to AI-Driven Consumption
- The telco API ecosystem reached 60 stable APIs in 2025, now pivoting to customer value via channel-partner and aggregated API products
- Agentic AI and LLMs need to discover and call APIs through MCP servers
- CAMARA is adapting its guidelines to support both product development and MCP server deployment
Abstract
Markus Kümmerle, Principal at MKWK Consulting, reports from Mobile World Congress Barcelona that the API ecosystem achieved 60 stable APIs in 2025 and is now shifting focus to customer value through channel partner products and aggregated API solutions. He explains that the industry must enable agentic AI and large language models to discover and call APIs through MCP servers, with CAMARA adapting its guidelines to support both product development and MCP server deployment for increased API consumption.
Network Visibility Across Domains
- Nokia's end-to-end view spans mobile, core, submarine, and data center interconnect networks
- RAN and access visibility informs optical solutions tuned to RAN-to-data-center traffic
- The result is positioned as a more holistic, cross-domain network solution
Abstract
Robert Shore, Head of Optical Network Marketing at Nokia, discusses how Nokia's comprehensive end-to-end view of network connectivity—spanning mobile networks, core networks, submarine networks, and data center interconnect—provides valuable perspective for developing optical networking solutions. Shore explains that understanding what happens in the RAN and access networks enables Nokia to build better optical solutions that can accommodate the types of traffic flowing between the RAN and data centers, ultimately delivering a more holistic network solution for customers.
Physical AI in Action
- Nokia's physical AI push features Surf delivery trucks with Nvidia Jetson GPUs across seven US cities via DoorDash and Uber Eats
- Nokia, Nvidia, and T-Mobile are building an "AI grid" distributing processing across devices, AI RAN, and network layers
- Enables safe navigation, human assistance, and multilingual support via LLMs running on the radio network
Abstract
Houman Modarres, Head of Enterprise Marketing at Nokia, presents the company's physical AI initiative at Mobile World Congress, showcasing Surf food delivery trucks with Nvidia Jetson GPUs deployed across seven US cities in partnership with DoorDash and Uber Eats. Nokia is collaborating with Nvidia and T-Mobile to build an "AI grid" that distributes processing across devices, AI RAN, and network layers, enabling applications like safe navigation, human assistance, and multilingual customer support through LLMs running on the radio network.
Nokia's 800G Pluggables for AI Data Center Networks
- Nokia's 800G pluggables for data center interconnect cut power consumption 65-70% versus embedded optics
- Power savings are a key draw for constrained operators handling AI traffic between core and edge
- Vertical integration at its California indium phosphide fab yields ZR/ZR+ edge in transmission distance and supply chain control
Abstract
Jon Baldry from Nokia presents the company's 800 gig pluggable optical connectivity solutions for data center interconnection at Mobile World Congress, demonstrating through augmented reality how the technology reduces power consumption by 65-70% compared to embedded optics—a critical advantage for power-constrained data center operators managing AI-driven traffic between core and edge facilities. Nokia maintains its competitive edge in the 800 gig ZR and ZR plus optics market through vertical integration, manufacturing pluggables, subsystems, and optical chips at its indium phosphide fabrication facility in California, enabling superior transmission distances and supply chain control.
90% of Telcos See Revenue Gains from AI
- NVIDIA's fourth annual AI report finds 90% of telcos say AI is already raising revenue or cutting costs
- Planned AI spending jumped from 65% in 2024 to 89% in 2025
- 77% expect AI-native networks before 6G, targeting spectral and energy efficiency, performance, and personalization
Abstract
Chris Penrose, Global Head Business Development - Telco at NVIDIA, presents findings from NVIDIA's fourth annual AI report showing that 90% of telecom respondents report AI is already increasing revenues or reducing costs, with planned AI spending jumping from 65% in 2024 to 89% in 2025. Network transformation through AI has become the top use case, with 77% of respondents expecting to implement AI-native networks before 6G arrives, focusing on spectral efficiency, energy efficiency, performance improvements, and service personalization.
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