The 2025 Mobile World Congress (MWC) opened on Wednesday in Shanghai, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in communication and connectivity technologies.
One eye-catching display at the event is a smart vehicle that uses a SIM card as a digital key, allowing the driver to unlock the car with a simple scan—no network, power, or Bluetooth required. The car also connects with the driver's smart home system, enabling remote activation of appliances like air conditioners, fans, and diffusers while still on the road.
Another innovation is a satellite-connected robotic dog capable of operating independently in disaster zones. Unlike traditional models that rely on manual controls, this robot can transmit real-time footage and navigate obstacles autonomously when power and communication networks are cut off.
A highlight of the exhibition is the emerging commercial use of 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network, a more powerful version of 5G. It offers significant improvements in capacity, speed, latency and positioning.
"Compared with 5G technology, 5G-A features improved traditional communications performance—its uplink and downlink data rates are ten times faster than current 5G. Integrated with other technologies, including AI-enabled sensing satellites, 5G-A expands 5G's capabilities and paves the way for 6G," said Cao Lei, an exhibitor.
By integrating communications, sensing, positioning, and supervision into one system, the revolutionary 5G-A network can be applied in the low-altitude economy to ensure the safety and efficiency of aircraft operating at low altitudes.
"We've adjusted some antenna elements at base stations to project signals skyward, ensuring full coverage below 600 meters for a low-altitude smart network integrating communication, sensing, and computing. Now, drones can be remotely controlled during flight with stable signals," said Jia Boran, an exhibitor.
5G-A's super high speeds, ultra-low latency and great data capacity can also ensure better performance for wearable AR devices and enhance customer experience, with products combining 5G-A technologies and AR enjoying growing popularity.
"The AR glasses industry is booming. Our orders this year have at least doubled compared to last year", said Ding Zhigang, another exhibitor.
Latest communications techs shine at Mobile World Congress in Shanghai
Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about Iran seeking a ceasefire as "false and baseless," according to state-run Press TV.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei pushed back against Trump's remarks on social media platform Truth Social that the Iranian president "has just asked the United States of America for a ceasefire."
Trump added, "We will consider when the Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!"
Trump has repeatedly claimed in recent days that Iran is seeking negotiations to end the war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that messages have been exchanged between Iran and the United States through intermediaries over the past few days, but stressed that no negotiations have taken place.
On the same day, Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's President, released a letter addressed to the American people, saying the Iranian people harbor no enmity toward American people, accusing the U.S. administration of fighting Iran as a "proxy for Israel."
"The Iranian people harbor no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighboring countries," Pezeshkian said, adding, "Even in the face of repeated foreign interventions and pressures throughout their proud history, Iranians have consistently drawn a clear distinction between governments and the peoples they govern."
In response to Trump's threats of conducting large-scale strikes on Iranian energy facilities, he said attacking the country's vital infrastructure directly targets the Iranian people, stressing that such actions constitute "war crimes" and involve consequences extending beyond Iran's borders.
Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities on Feb. 28, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East, while tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz by restricting passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States.
Wednesday's report by The Telegraph quoted Trump as saying he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after the alliance failed to join the attacks on Iran.
Trump expressed dissatisfaction with NATO for "not being there," saying it was "actually hard to believe."
Responding to the U.S. president's remarks, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at a press conference at 10 Downing that Street Britain would act in its national interest and would not change its position on the Iran war.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that France is not taking part in the U.S.-Israel military action. The Elysee Palace also reaffirmed that France's position remains unchanged.
Iran rejects Trump's ceasefire claim as "false and baseless"
