ZTE Shows How AI‑Network Two‑Way Integration Can Reshape Latin American Telecom Business Models

ZTE’s AI‑Network Vision Presented at GSMA M360 LATAM 2026

ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ) took a prominent slot at the GSMA M360 LATAM 2026 conference. In a keynote titled Driving Future Business Model Restructuring – AI & Network Two‑Way Integration, Chief International Ecosystem Representative Chen Zhiping outlined how the company plans to embed artificial intelligence into every layer of the mobile network and use the network itself to accelerate AI workloads.

What the Two‑Way Integration Model Requires

1. AI‑Native network architecture – AI functions are no longer optional add‑ons; they are built into the baseband unit (BBU), radio units and core‑network software. ZTE’s new 5G BBU ships with native inference engines that allocate compute cycles to traffic‑optimisation tasks in real time.
2. Hardware that supports AI inference – The company’s Super‑N high‑performance power amplifiers combine traditional RF efficiency with on‑board AI optimisation chips. Field trials show a 38 % reduction in energy use compared with legacy amplifiers.
3. Intelligent operation & maintenance (O&M) platforms – The AIR Net solution provides autonomous fault detection, self‑optimising hand‑overs and predictive maintenance. It is certified at TM Forum L4 level, meaning it meets the highest industry standards for network automation.
4. Scenario‑based deployment kits – For dense indoor venues ZTE partners with Millicom on the Qcell gigabit‑coverage kit; for remote rural areas it offers the RuralPilot package, a low‑cost, low‑maintenance RRU that can be powered by solar panels.

Compliance Timeline for Latin American Operators

Milestone	Deadline	Required Action
AI‑Native BBU rollout	30 June 2026	Install ZTE‑supplied BBUs in all macro sites and enable on‑board inference engines.
Energy‑efficiency certification	31 December 2026	Submit power‑consumption data to national regulators to qualify for green‑tariff incentives.
TM Forum L4 certification	31 March 2027	Complete the TM Forum self‑assessment and provide audit logs from AIR Net deployments.
Full scenario coverage	30 June 2027	Deploy Qcell indoor kits in at least 80 % of enterprise buildings and RuralPilot units in all identified underserved regions.

Why the Model Matters to Operators

• Cost reduction – The AI‑enhanced BBU improves cell throughput by roughly 20 %, allowing operators to serve the same subscriber base with fewer radio sites. Combined with the 38 % power‑saving of Super‑N amplifiers, annual electricity bills drop by millions of dollars per large market.
• Green credentials – Energy‑efficient hardware helps meet national sustainability targets and qualifies operators for government subsidies tied to carbon‑reduction goals.
• New revenue streams – By exposing AI compute capacity at the edge, operators can offer AI‑as‑a‑service to enterprises, turning the network into a platform for data‑intensive applications such as video analytics and autonomous vehicles.
• Regulatory alignment – Many Latin American regulators are updating spectrum‑efficiency rules. An AI‑Native network automatically optimises spectrum use, keeping operators compliant without manual re‑engineering.

Recent Deployments Illustrating the Approach

• Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru – Over 37,000 AI‑enabled AAU and RRU units are already in service, delivering measurable electricity savings and higher throughput.
• Qcell indoor rollout – In partnership with Millicom, ZTE has equipped major office towers in Santiago with gigabit‑grade indoor coverage, demonstrating the feasibility of dense‑area AI‑optimised networks.
• RuralPilot in the Amazon – Collaboration with Claro has resulted in a pilot network covering remote villages using solar‑powered RRUs, proving that AI‑driven remote management can replace costly on‑site engineering visits.

Next Steps for the Industry

ZTE’s 2025 strategic vision, All in AI, AI for All, Becoming a Leader in Connectivity and Intelligent Computing, sets a clear roadmap. Operators that adopt the two‑way integration model will be positioned to transition from pure connectivity providers to digital‑economy enablers. The roadmap emphasizes continuous hardware upgrades, expansion of edge AI services and adherence to international standards such as TM Forum L4.

For more details on ZTE’s AI‑Native network portfolio, visit the official ZTE website and review the GSMA M360 LATAM 2026 agenda.