China Telecom at MWC 2025: Driving Telecom Innovation with AI and Sustainability

Booth Design and Theme

China Telecom’s presence at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 centered on the theme “Empowering Intelligent Future with TeleAI.” The booth was organized into five distinct zones – AI-Enabled Infrastructure, TeleChat Basic General Model, TeleChat Industry Large Models, AI-Powered Smart Home, and AI-Driven Low-Altitude Economy – each highlighting a facet of China Telecom’s AI-centric strategy . Visually, the design featured a striking holographic light column at the center, immediately catching visitors’ eyes. Around this column, dynamic displays illustrated China Telecom’s vision of a comprehensive, AI-driven digital infrastructure . This setup, combined with futuristic lighting and bilingual signage, reinforced the TeleAI theme and conveyed the company’s focus on blending cloud, network, and artificial intelligence capabilities into one cohesive showcase. Overall, the booth’s structure and visuals projected a forward-looking narrative, aligning with China Telecom’s corporate strategy of “Cloud Transformation and Digital Upgrade” .

Intelligent Computing Infrastructure

China Telecom devoted a major section of its exhibit to intelligent computing infrastructure, underscoring its role as the digital backbone of the intelligent era. A wall of high-performance computing hardware – including training servers, inference servers, high-density storage, and liquid-cooled server units – was on display, reflecting the carrier’s significant investments in AI computing power. Indeed, China Telecom has built the world’s largest operator cloud, eSurfing Cloud, with a self-developed intelligent computing capacity of 21 EFLOPS (augmented by 27 EFLOPS from partners) to support AI workloads at scale . The booth’s visuals emphasized this immense cloud capability, with schematics of China Telecom’s “1+1+1+M+N” AI architecture (one computing cloud foundation, one large-model foundation, one data foundation, plus multiple internal and industry-specific AI models) . This architecture was presented as the digital cornerstone for the intelligent future, highlighting how China Telecom’s integrated cloud and compute resources enable rapid AI innovation. Through these exhibits, the company conveyed that its intelligent computing infrastructure – from powerful AI servers to the unified “XiRang” AI computing platform – is a key enabler for next-generation services and the broader telecom ecosystem .

AI-Enhanced IP Networks and 800GE Routing

Another focal point of China Telecom’s MWC 2025 showcase was its next-generation IP networking capabilities, enhanced with artificial intelligence and ultra-broadband routing. The company highlighted the concept of “Network for AI and AI for Network,” where AI optimizes network operations and the network is built to support AI applications . Central to this was China Telecom’s adoption of cutting-edge 800GE routers and 800G optical links in its backbone. In fact, China Telecom has pioneered the industry by constructing the first wide-area intelligent computing interconnection network based on 800 Gbps technology, establishing a foundation for AI-era traffic demands . On the booth floor, a showcased next-gen router – supporting 800GE interfaces – was promoted as maximizing IP network ROI through higher capacity and AI-driven efficiency. (One displayed use-case claimed a 23% increase in ARPU in a trial scenario, underscoring the business value of these upgrades.) The physical exhibit of the router, alongside dashboards of network analytics, conveyed how AI-powered IP networks can self-optimize and deliver ultra-high bandwidth for services like cloud gaming and immersive communications. By combining real network trial results with interactive demos, China Telecom effectively communicated that it is leveraging 800GE routing, AI-based network optimization, and even AI RAN smart base stations to usher in more intelligent, high-performance networks .

High-Efficiency AI Data Centers and Liquid Cooling

China Telecom also emphasized innovations in data center infrastructure, crucial for sustainable AI growth. A prominent display was dedicated to high-efficiency AI data centers and advanced cooling technologies. At the heart of this exhibit was a high-density modular CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) – a liquid cooling system component – presented as a solution for next-generation data center thermal management. According to the information on-site, the showcased CDU module can support up to 2,000 kW of cooling capacity, illustrating how liquid cooling enables densification of AI compute clusters far beyond traditional air cooling limits. A scale model of an AI data center, complete with racks and cooling loops, demonstrated China Telecom’s approach to keeping power-hungry AI training servers running efficiently. The modular data center concept, including containerized server rooms and in-row cooling units, was highlighted to show rapid deployment and scalability. By showcasing these components, China Telecom stressed that its data centers are not only powerful but also energy-efficient – capable of handling extreme compute loads with smart cooling and power management. This ties into the company’s broader message of “green ICT” (information and communications technology), where high performance is achieved with optimized energy usage. The exhibits of liquid-cooled server racks and CDU modules reinforced China Telecom’s commitment to building AI infrastructure that is both high-performing and sustainable in operation.

Smart Energy and Green Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability was a recurring theme in China Telecom’s booth, aligning with the telecom industry’s global drive toward greener networks. The company’s smart energy initiatives were featured in presentations that discussed reducing carbon footprint across network operations, from base stations to data centers. For example, China Telecom is exploring the integration of renewable energy and intelligent power management at its sites – echoing an industry trend of “zero carbon” networks. Although China Telecom’s own MWC materials focused more on AI and infrastructure, the booth messaging acknowledged the importance of energy efficiency and carbon reduction as foundational goals. This was underscored by references to China Telecom’s participation in global sustainability efforts (e.g. aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals through digital empowerment and carbon reduction programs).

Notably, other Chinese telecom exhibitors at MWC also showcased strong green commitments, providing context for China Telecom’s efforts. ZTE, for instance, devoted part of its Hall 3 exhibit to a “Zero Carbon, Driving a Green Future” concept, complete with a multi-energy intelligent management solution and a miniature smart grid model. ZTE’s displays highlighted achievements like widespread deployment of “green sites” (energy-efficient cell towers with solar or battery support) and large-scale reductions in power consumption across networks. Huawei, too, messaged heavily on sustainability by integrating eco-friendly design elements (such as a digital “green galaxy” motif) into its booth to symbolize sustainable growth . In this competitive context, China Telecom’s emphasis on smart energy can be seen as part of a collective push by China’s telecom sector to marry technological innovation with environmental responsibility. While the specifics of China Telecom’s green metrics were less public at the booth, the overarching narrative was clear: energy efficiency and sustainability are now as critical as speed and capacity in telecom innovation, and China Telecom intends to be a leader in both realms.

Exhibition Models and Interactive Highlights

In addition to posters and presentations, China Telecom’s booth engaged visitors with physical models and interactive demos. On display were detailed scale models of the company’s network infrastructure innovations. One table featured a miniature modular data center, showing a containerized data center unit next to rows of micro-model server racks and cooling systems. This tangible model helped visitors visualize how China Telecom could deploy pop-up edge data centers or expand cloud capacity quickly in a prefabricated, energy-efficient form. Adjacent to it was a model of an integrated base station – a compact unit combining radio equipment and antennas – which illustrated how operators can extend 5G (and future 6G) coverage with minimal power and space. These kinds of models resonated with the telecom engineers and executives touring the booth, translating abstract concepts into concrete form.

The booth also incorporated hands-on technology demos to draw in attendees. Visitors could try out the new eSurfing AI Smartphone at the TeleChat zone, giving them a taste of China Telecom’s AI voice assistant and real-time AI services running on-device. This smartphone, powered by China Telecom’s self-developed “XingChen” large language model, allowed voice-commanded tasks like smart home control and AI content generation. The demo proved popular – many visitors lined up to interact, and the device attracted significant attention for its ability to summarize content or authenticate users via AI . Similarly, China Telecom’s “XingChen Drawing” platform (an AI-based creative design tool) was available for an interactive test-drive, letting attendees generate custom images or designs on the fly. According to the company, these exhibits “attracted many visitors eager to try them out,” underscoring the high level of engagement for China Telecom’s AI applications .

Another crowd-pleaser was the Low-Altitude Economy section, where China Telecom demonstrated drone-based solutions. Actual drone models (such as the “Lifebuoy Drone” for emergency rescue and the TianShu Drone) were on site, and video demos showed how they leverage 5G connectivity and AI for tasks like aerial inspections and delivery. These exhibits garnered significant attention from attendees , as they highlighted a novel extension of telecom services into the drone aviation domain. The lively interactions at these stations gave the China Telecom booth a buzz of excitement, with company experts on hand answering questions and guiding visitors through each experience.

Visitor Engagement and Atmosphere

The atmosphere at China Telecom’s booth was dynamic and business-focused. Throughout the exhibition days, a steady stream of telecom professionals, enterprise clients, and industry analysts visited the stand, drawn by the mix of immersive demos and the reputation of China Telecom as a global Tier-1 operator. The layout facilitated engagement – each themed zone had bilingual staff and digital kiosks encouraging visitors to explore at their own pace. Many were seen engrossed in the AI demonstrations: for instance, issuing voice commands to the AI smartphone or watching the real-time network analytics on large screens. The visitor engagement was further amplified by scheduled mini-presentations. China Telecom representatives periodically gave short talks at each zone (often in both English and Chinese), explaining the technical breakthroughs and fielding questions. This created small congregations of listeners and a sense of an “ongoing tech forum” within the booth.

Overall, the atmosphere was one of forward-thinking enthusiasm. Attendees often reacted with curiosity and probing questions – e.g., inquiring about the practical rollout timeline of the 800G network or the real-world energy savings from the liquid cooling solution. The booth managed to balance showcase and dialogue: it wasn’t just static displays, but a meeting point for discussions on AI in telecom. Observers noted that the China Telecom booth, while not the largest at MWC, punched above its weight in delivering substantive content. The blend of physical innovation models, live demos, and knowledgeable guides created an engaging environment. By the end of the congress, it was evident that China Telecom had successfully conveyed both its technological capabilities and its collaborative, open approach (as several partnerships were highlighted), leaving visitors with the impression of a company helping to drive the next wave of telecom innovation.

Comparison with Huawei and ZTE Exhibits

China Telecom’s booth stood alongside those of equipment giants like Huawei and ZTE, offering an interesting contrast in focus and scale. In terms of innovation themes, all three Chinese exhibitors emphasized AI, ultrafast networks, and green technology, but from different angles. Huawei, for example, delivered a sweeping vision of an intelligent, connected world with its theme “Intelligent Digital Flow – Enriching Everything.” Huawei’s pavilion was massive – at 13,900 m² it was one of the largest single-brand exhibits ever  – and was engineered to impress. Its design included a spectacular canopy of 19,000 LED spheres forming a “digital galaxy” overhead , symbolizing data flowing through its networks. Huawei showcased an expansive portfolio from 5.5G networks and AI cloud services to consumer devices, all integrated under a polished “One Huawei” presentation . The experience there was highly immersive and even theatrical (complete with a curved 3D LED façade and a glossy floor with a flowing river motif), befitting Huawei’s stature as a top vendor and attracting VIPs like the King of Spain . In comparison, China Telecom’s booth was more modest in size and spectacle, but it delivered a concentrated message on how a carrier is implementing AI and advanced infrastructure in practice. Rather than awe with scale, China Telecom focused on depth in specific domains (cloud, AI, data center, B2B solutions) and creating a space for interaction and learning.

ZTE’s exhibit, themed “Catalyzing Intelligent Innovation,” can be seen as a middle ground. As a major vendor, ZTE’s booth in Hall 3 showcased a broad range of telecom solutions – from Ultra-Efficient Mobile Networks to an All-Optical World and Smart Life demos  . ZTE emphasized its latest 5G-Advanced (5G-A) capabilities, intelligent network automation, and devices (even launching new smartphones and gaming gear at MWC). In the network realm, ZTE brought hardware demonstrations similar to China Telecom’s interests – for instance, ZTE’s flagship 800GE router was on display, reinforcing how it can bolster IP network capacity, and the company publicized a joint achievement with China Telecom: the world’s first 80×800G C+L-band WDM optical trial on a live network . That trial effectively showcased a full-band optical transport solution, and it complements China Telecom’s narrative of pushing fiber capacity towards 100 Tbps per fiber (a figure that appeared on one of China Telecom’s own exhibit panels). ZTE also had a dedicated Smart Energy section, as noted, highlighting green power solutions for telecom – a topic China Telecom addressed from an operator’s perspective (energy savings in operations) while ZTE addressed it from a product perspective (solar-powered base stations, power storage, etc.). In terms of booth experience, ZTE’s setup featured plenty of live demos and product displays (similar to Huawei, though on a smaller scale), and a bright, modern design, but without the overwhelming size or artistic flair of Huawei’s stand.

When it comes to product depth, Huawei and ZTE, being technology manufacturers, demonstrated a wider array of hardware – from core network gear to handsets – whereas China Telecom’s “products” are more about services and solutions (cloud services, AI applications, network capabilities). Despite that, China Telecom held its own by showcasing real deployments and pilots (for example, its AI IMS network demo with a robotic guide dog, or the AI smart home setup) rather than just concepts  . This gave the impression that China Telecom is already implementing innovations at scale within its network, whereas Huawei and ZTE were largely marketing technologies to operators. Industry observers noted that all three exhibitors strongly conveyed an AI-driven future, but China Telecom’s perspective – as a leading telecom service provider – added credibility to how these innovations translate into operational reality and new services for customers.

In summary, the China Telecom booth at MWC 2025 may not have been as extravagant as Huawei’s or as device-rich as ZTE’s, but it effectively highlighted China Telecom’s role in driving telecom innovation from the operator side. The company’s focus on intelligent infrastructure, AI-native networks, efficient data centers, and sustainable practices demonstrated that it is both absorbing cutting-edge technologies from partners and developing its own solutions to stay at the forefront of the industry. By comparing favorably with its Chinese peers in terms of vision and substance – if not sheer size – China Telecom solidified its image as a telecom innovator committed to an intelligent and green future for global communications.

Sources: China Telecom Global News Center     ; SYMA (Huawei MWC 2025 design highlights)  ; ZTE MWC25 Exhibition Portal  .