Why are NVIDIA & Telcos Betting big on AI-Native 6G?

The future of software and hardware is AI-native.

NVIDIA has joined a coalition with global telecommunications operators and infrastructure providers at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026 (MWC26) to develop next-generation wireless networks built on AI-native and software-defined platforms.

The initiative brings together companies including Booz Allen, BT Group, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, MITRE, Nokia, OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation, ODC, SK Telecom, SoftBank Corp. and T-Mobile.

The collaboration aims to influence how 6G networks are designed and deployed with AI at their core.

According to the participating companies, the programme centres on creating open and trusted platforms for future wireless infrastructure.

The work connects to NVIDIA's broader engagement with industry groups and governments across Europe, Japan, Korea, the UK and the US on 6G and AI research and development.

"AI is redefining computing and driving the largest infrastructure buildout in human history, and telecommunications is next," says Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, in the MWC26 announcement.

"Together with a global coalition of industry leaders, NVIDIA is building AI-RAN to transform the world's telecom networks into AI infrastructure everywhere."

AI-native network architecture takes shape

Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network (AI-RAN) forms the technical foundation of the collaboration.

The approach embeds AI capabilities directly into the RAN, alongside edge and core network functions, creating what the companies describe as an AI-native architecture.

This structure could allow networks to evolve through software updates rather than requiring hardware replacements, according to the coalition members.

Allison Kirkby, CEO of BT Group says: "Connectivity is the backbone of economic growth, and with this collaboration, we're helping lay the foundations for a future ecosystem that is intelligent, sustainable and secure.

"By building on open and trustworthy AI native platforms, we can simplify future technologies like 6G, ensuring they build upon the strengths of today's 5G networks while still unlocking powerful new capabilities at scale."

Strategic importance for government agencies

Public sector organisations position 6G development as a critical technology priority alongside telecommunications operators.

"America's 6G leadership will be critical to our nation's economic prosperity, national security and global competitiveness," says Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, and Administrator at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

"The US and our allies and partners around the world are leading in this next-generation technology.

"We look forward to the next steps from this international industry coalition as they advance and implement their shared 6G vision."

Research programmes advancing open platforms

The coalition's work connects to several research programmes and industry alliances focused on open network technology development.

In the US, NVIDIA joined the FutureG Office-led OCUDU Initiative, which concentrates on accelerating open and software-defined 6G architectures.

The AI-Native Wireless Networks project, known as AI-WIN, launched with participation from Booz Allen, Cisco, T-Mobile, MITRE and ODC. This project focuses on developing an AI-RAN technology stack in the US to support future wireless network development.

Srini Gopalan, CEO of T-Mobile US, frames the initiative within the context of operator investment in 5G and AI-enabled infrastructure in the MWC26 announcement.

"We're at a pivotal moment. In the US, we've laid the foundation with 5G Advanced and AI-native networks where intelligence lives inside the network," he explains.

"As 6G becomes the backbone of the AI era, telecom will serve as the nervous system of the digital economy, enabling autonomous systems and intelligent industries at scale and unlocking new value for customers and businesses alike."