Huawei has introduced a framework for token monetisation in mobile networks at the Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2026.
The company is pushing telecom operators to shift their billing models from data consumption to AI token production and transmission.
The technology firm presented its token economy concept as a new measure of value in mobile communications.
As AI agents scale across industries, Huawei stated that supporting token production and consumption will become increasingly important. The company said this capability could become a key differentiator for network operators.
The shift aims to help carriers monetise the computing output their infrastructure delivers to end users.
“With each generation, we have pushed the limits of spectral efficiency and performance,”
said David Wang, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating Chairman, Huawei.
“This has consistently expanded the boundaries of communications, helping carriers translate network capabilities into commercial value.”
The company projects that the number of active artificial intelligence agents worldwide will exceed 100 billion by 2030.
To support this growth, Huawei and three major Chinese carriers unveiled an AI-centric network architecture.
The system integrates communication networks with computing infrastructure to reduce the cost per token and improve overall network efficiency.
Middle East carriers positioned for new billing models
Huawei identified the Middle East as a key region for deploying commercial networks capable of supporting this token economy.
Carriers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to use advanced 5G networks to unlock the bandwidth required for real-time AI applications and token-based billing systems.
The transformation of network capabilities is already visible in customer operations. Singaporean telecom operator Singtel deployed agentic AI to handle 70,000 customer interactions over six weeks.
The system resolved 70% of routine queries without human intervention, illustrating the scale of artificial intelligence interaction that next-generation networks must support.
“Intelligent connectivity can break new boundaries,”
said Li Peng, Director of the Board and President of ICT Sales and Service, Huawei.
“The intelligent economy can unlock new value in connectivity.”
Huawei is currently working with global carriers to shape the standards framework that will govern mobile communications and token monetisation from 2030 to 2040.
Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image by Huawei
