6G technology is expected to drive smart manufacturing, immersive experiences, autonomous systems and emerging industrial applications, accelerating digital transformation. (Photo by Wei Xinyang)
In telecommunications infrastructure, semiconductor chips serve as the most powerful brain. At MWC 2026, competition among chip giants has expanded from mobile devices to data centers and satellite orbits. Intel and MediaTek, two global semiconductor leaders, have both concluded that the transition from 5G to 6G requires not just faster transmission speeds, but smarter and more energy-efficient computing architectures.
Intel Executive Vice President and General Manager of Data Center and AI Group Kevork Kechichian challenged conventional industry thinking during his technical strategy presentation at MWC, stating that "6G success will not come from disruptive architectural overhauls, but rather through smooth evolution built upon the foundation established by 5G."
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Xeon 6+ Processors Target Telecom Operators
Intel's flagship demonstration featured next-generation Xeon 6+ processors built on Intel 18A manufacturing processes. The processors target "AI-ready networks" and emphasize increased core density while significantly reducing power consumption. Kechichian argued that inference capabilities should become native network functions, with AI integrated directly into network architecture rather than added through dedicated accelerators.
Commercial deployments showcased at the event included SK Telecom and NTT DOCOMO, which have begun implementing Xeon processors with E-cores (efficiency cores) in their mobile core networks. This architecture delivers enhanced data processing performance while reducing total cost of ownership. For telecom operators, Xeon 6+ processors enable higher energy efficiency for growing edge AI computing demands within existing data centers, fundamentally reshaping the economics of 6G network evolution.
Nybsys Edge AI ecosystem demonstrated on Dell PowerEdge XR8000 with Intel platform at 2026 Mobile World Congress Barcelona. (Screenshot from YouTube video)
While Intel focuses on infrastructure, MediaTek has demonstrated explosive growth in terminal connectivity. MediaTek General Manager JC Chen outlined during his "AI for Life: From Edge to Cloud" keynote how the company is converting advanced technology into life-saving safety networks at unprecedented speed.
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The highlight centers on smartphones equipped with MediaTek's M90 modem, the world's first 5G modem integrating satellite communication technology. Through strategic partnership with SpaceX's Starlink, the company achieved commercial breakthrough in direct satellite-to-phone connectivity. MediaTek Wireless Communications Business Unit General Manager David Ku demonstrated Starlink Mobile communication services, emphasizing that users can receive earthquake and tsunami emergency alerts even in remote areas without cellular coverage.
M90 Modem Removes Geographic Limitations for Emergency Alerts
"This is not a future concept, but current reality," Ku stated. The partnership has launched successfully in the United States, Canada, and Japan, serving over 4.4 million users. The M90 modem's S-band satellite connectivity removes geographic limitations for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). MediaTek also demonstrated its latest Wi-Fi 8 technology, emphasizing more stable multi-link operation (MLO) to support future smart home and metaverse applications.
MediaTek also revealed ambitions in high-performance computing by announcing new UCIe-Advanced IP designed for die-to-die data interconnection. The solution represents the world's first to complete silicon verification on TSMC's advanced 2nm and 3nm processes while supporting advanced packaging technologies.
（Related：6G Race Begins: Taiwan's Mobile Data Usage Surpasses India to Top Global Rankings｜Latest）
To overcome physical limitations of traditional copper wire transmission, MediaTek demonstrated proprietary co-packaged optics (CPO) solutions. The technology provides new pathways for bandwidth rates up to 400Gbps while significantly improving energy efficiency. MediaTek emphasized that such solutions transform data centers from operational bottlenecks into strategic assets driving business growth.
MediaTek 2026 MWC promotional video showcasing AI smartphone chip leadership. (Screenshot from YouTube video)
Intel and MediaTek's MWC presentations reveal two major battlefronts in the semiconductor industry ahead of 6G deployment. Intel secures "computing sovereignty" in infrastructure, ensuring AI inference operates at low cost and large scale across network nodes. MediaTek gains advantage in "connectivity sovereignty" by seamlessly integrating satellite and Wi-Fi 8 technologies into personal devices. Both companies converge on maximizing efficiency, indicating that 6G success will depend on delivering the highest performance per watt.
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