Intel presented its network vision at Mobile World Congress 2026, focusing on scaling AI capabilities across existing 5G infrastructure without architectural resets. The approach centers on an open, unified platform that runs network functions, security, enterprise services, and AI inference on Intel Xeon processors.
Kevork Kechichian, executive vice president and general manager of the Data Center Group at Intel, stated that operators prioritize inherent AI integration, power efficiency, infrastructure consolidation, lower total cost of ownership, openness, security, and a low-risk path to 6G. Intel Xeon 6 with E-cores targets 5G Core deployments, while Xeon 6 SoC addresses RAN workloads. Both integrate AI acceleration using Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX) and Intel vRAN Boost to run inference on the server without separate accelerators, aiming to reduce cost, power, complexity, and space requirements.
In the RAN, Xeon 6 SoC enables AI deployment in live networks with predictable performance and simpler operations. Examples include:
AT&T, Ericsson, and Intel demonstrated Ericsson’s AI-native Link Adaptation on a Cloud RAN stack powered by Xeon 6 SoC, achieving up to 20% higher throughput and improved spectral efficiency compared to legacy rule-based methods.
Rakuten Mobile collaborates with Intel to train, optimize, and deploy AI models for RAN workloads using built-in acceleration on Xeon 6 SoC, targeting ultra-low real-time latency.
Vodafone committed to adopting Xeon 6 SoCs for large-scale Open RAN and vRAN modernization across Europe, building on prior UK deployments. In the 5G Core, Xeon 6 with E-cores provides power efficiency, integrated security via Intel Trust Domain Extensions (TDX) for zero-trust protection, QuickAssist Technology (QAT) for data-in-transit acceleration, and support for AI inferencing on existing infrastructure. Examples include:
SK Telecom deploying Xeon 6 with E-cores and Intel Ethernet 800 Series in its mobile core production environment.
NTT DOCOMO selecting Xeon 6 with E-cores and Intel Ethernet E830 Network Adapter for next-generation mobile core deployments.
Intel Ethernet 800 and 600 series support connectivity across RAN and Core. Intel previewed Xeon 6+ at MWC 2026, built on Intel 18A process technology. It offers higher core density, reduced power consumption, aggressive workload scaling, and improved total cost of ownership for 5G infrastructure and cloud-native applications, with further details expected in coming months.
The strategy emphasizes matching workloads to appropriate compute architectures rather than defaulting to GPU-based solutions for inference-heavy network tasks, preserving operator control, interoperability, and supply chain resilience.
