5G Future Summit

Evolving the Intelligent Network

At MWC Barcelona 2026, the flagship 5G Future Summit focuses on the transition of mobile networks from deployment-led infrastructure programmes to monetisable, intelligent platforms capable of sustaining long-term growth.

As 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced move into scale, operators face a clear strategic inflection point: networks must evolve beyond connectivity delivery towards programmability, automation and service exposure if they are to unlock new enterprise value and justify continued investment. At the same time, AI-native network design and private 5G deployments are reshaping both operational models and customer expectations, accelerating the shift from static networks to software-defined, intent-driven systems.

This summit examines how monetisation is practically achieved across that journey, from enabling programmable capabilities through standardised APIs, to scaling differentiated services with 5G-Advanced, embedding AI to optimise performance and economics, and ensuring that today’s architectural decisions align with the intelligent, open networks expected in the 6G era.

Through panel discussions, real-world case studies and technical insights, the summit will explore how operators are:

• Using GSMA Open Gateway and standardised APIs to expose network capabilities and enable repeatable B2B revenue models
• Translating 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced capabilities into commercially viable, differentiated services
• Applying mobile AI to improve network efficiency, service quality and monetisation outcomes
• Making architecture and ecosystem choices today that protect future optionality as the industry evolves toward 6G

Attendees will gain actionable insight into how successful operators are aligning technology evolution, ecosystem collaboration and commercial strategy to move beyond deployment milestones and build sustainable, future-ready network businesses.

Session 1: Monetising Standalone Networks with Open APIs

Time: 15:00 – 15:50 (50 minutes)

Moderator: Henry Calvert, Head of Networks, GSMA

This session examines how standalone networks provide the architectural foundation for programmable networks and Open APIs, including GSMA Open Gateway. Explore how core-native capabilities such as network slicing, QoS control and exposure APIs enable secure B2B monetisation, accelerate ecosystem innovation, and reposition operators as platform-based service providers.

Session 2: From 5G-Advanced to 5G Commercialisation

Time: 15:50 – 16:40 (50 minutes)

Moderator: Barbara Pareglio, Senior Technical Director, GSMA

This session examines how 5G-Advanced capabilities translate into commercially viable services. Industry experts will discuss network slicing, deterministic performance, automation and intent-based orchestration, highlighting practical pathways to scale deployment, justify investment, and deliver differentiated customer experiences across enterprise and consumer markets.

15-minute intermission (16:40 - 16:55)

Session 3: Mobile AI and Intelligent Networks

Time: 16:55 – 17:25 (30 minutes)

Moderator: Morteza Kheirkhah, Technical Director, GSMA

This session dives into the GSMA Mobile AI Community’s work to accelerate AI adoption across mobile networks, covering both “AI for Networks” and “Networks for AI.” Attendees will explore practical implementation challenges, high-value use-cases, and collaborative frameworks that embed AI into network operations and architecture to unlock new monetisation and enterprise value.

Session 4: Intelligence in the Network: A Foundation for 6G

Time: 17:25 – 18:25 (60 minutes)

Moderator: Morteza Kheirkhah, Technical Director, GSMA

This session examines how today’s 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced architecture decisions are shaping the foundation for future network evolution. As operators deploy cloud-native, service-based cores, open interfaces and AI-driven automation to monetise 5G, these same capabilities define readiness for intelligent, interoperable 6G networks.

Speakers will discuss how embedding intelligence, programmability and openness into current networks helps operators avoid architectural lock-in, protect long-term investment value, and support emerging service demands across consumer and enterprise markets. The session will focus on practical alignment between near-term deployment choices and the architectural principles expected to underpin future mobile systems.

GSMA Mobile AI Industry Initiative Announcement 

Time: 18:25 - 18:30 (5 minutes)