ZTE, in collaboration with Intel, Red Hat, StarHub, Whale Cloud, Explores the AI, AIOps and Cloud Imperative Trilateral Shift at MWC Barcelona 2026

• ZTE, hosted a panel discussion with Intel, Red Hat, StarHub and Whale Cloud at MWC Barcelona 2026, focusing on the convergent "Trilateral Shift" of AI, AIOps, and cloud imperatives in telecom
• The discussion centered on the practical implementation and business value of autonomous networks, highlighting cross-industry collaboration as critical to making AI-powered networks a commercial reality

Barcelona, Spain, March 9, 2026 - ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leader in information and communication technology solutions, hosted an exclusive panel discussion at MWC Barcelona 2026, bringing together industry experts from ZTE, Intel, Red Hat, StarHub and Whale Cloud. Titled "Trilateral Shift: AI, AIOps, and Cloud Imperative", the panel explored how these three forces are collectively redefining the foundations of next-generation telecommunications, moving from automation to true autonomy in networks while navigating new imperatives for data governance and security.

The panel emphasized that the future of network lies not in the isolated advancement of any single technology, but in the synchronized integration of intelligent software, autonomous network operations, and trusted infrastructure. Experts from across the ecosystem explored how AI is creating more adaptive networks, how AIOps are evolving from simple automation to agent-based systems and why cloud architectures are becoming critical for meeting regional data regulations and ensuring resilience. This "trilateral shift" represents a fundamental change in how networks are built, managed, and trusted.

Wang Quan, Vice President at ZTE, stated: "The leap to autonomous networks requires a foundation of full-stack intelligence. ZTE delivers comprehensive AI solutions and deep integration capabilities, focusing on creating an open ecosystem where collaboration drives shared success. This enables customers to deploy real-time AI practically and efficiently within their networks."

Cristina Rodrigues, Vice President of the Network and Edge Group (NEX) at Intel, said:"At Intel, we see this convergence of AI, AIOps, and cloud as the catalyst for next generation networks – the future of telco lies in networks that think, learn and adapt autonomously. Our silicon innovations, including built-in AI, combined with industry expertise, are making this vision a commercial reality, delivering the performance, security and scalability that next gen networks demand."

Honoré LaBourdette, Vice President of the Telco, Media, Entertainment & Edge Ecosystem at Red Hat, commented: "At Red Hat, we believe the telecommunications landscape is entering its most transformative chapter yet, where the industry conversation has reached a decisive pivot from experimentation to industrialized AI. By providing a common cloud-native foundation, Red Hat enables service providers to operationalize AI-native networks and secure digital sovereignty. Together, we are turning networks into intelligent growth centers through open, cross-industry co-innovation."

Dr. Volkan Sevindik, Chief Technology Officer at StarHub, noted: "The convergence of AI, AIOps and cloud marks a decisive shift in how networks are designed and operated. At StarHub, we are embedding trusted infrastructure, governance, and performance directly into the foundation of our platforms. By combining intelligent and secure automation with disciplined architecture and strong ecosystem collaboration, we are turning the trilateral shift into real-world outcomes for enterprises and consumers alike."

Wu Zhouxi, Head of Cloud Solutions at Whale Cloud, added: "As AI and autonomous networks accelerate across the telecom industry, data sovereignty has become a strategic priority rather than a compliance checkbox. Operators must ensure that critical data remains secure, controllable, and compliant with evolving regional regulations. At Whale Cloud, we combine locally governed AI with closed-loop network intelligence, empowering operators to build trusted, resilient, and autonomous infrastructure for sustainable growth."

The panel concluded that the journey toward intelligent, autonomous networks is fundamentally a collaborative effort across the industry. This convergence is forging a new blueprint for the AI-powered future—one where network performance, intelligent operations, and trusted data governance are all critical. Ultimately, the successful implementation of this integrated shift will rely on the committed partnership of across the ecosystem.

Beyond the panel discussion, ZTE showcasing  collaborative solutions with Red Hat at the ZTE booth in the Ecosystem exhibition area. The demonstration highlights how the integration enables operators to accelerate their journey toward autonomous networks. This live exhibition serves as a tangible testament to the power of ecosystem collaboration in turning the vision into deployable reality.