NTT to exhibit breakthrough technologies at MWC Barcelona 2026, showcasing advancements in IOWN and AI-resilient infrastructure, transmission and processing of high-volume data handled by AI agents, IOWN APN-facilitated AI video analysis for 6G networks and optical quantum computing 

News Highlights

• NTT, NTT DOCOMO, and NTT DATA Group Corporation will exhibit at MWC Barcelona 2026 to demonstrate key initiatives for the advancement of AI to meet data processing needs of 6G use cases, enhance inference processing and reduce power consumption.
• NTT announced two key advancements in 6G and IOWN integration to optimize low-latency inference as well as the establishment of network infrastructure for next-generation ICT data-intensive inference with low latency and high reliability.
• During MWC Barcelona 2026, Akira Shimada, President and CEO of NTT, Inc., will present a keynote around his vision for photonics as the foundation for sustainable power consumption in the age of AI.

Today, NTT, Inc. (NTT), NTT DOCOMO, Inc. (NTT DOCOMO), and NTT DATA Group Corporation announced that they will exhibit at MWC Barcelona 2026, the world's largest connectivity exhibition, in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to 5. At the event, NTT, Inc. will showcase and promote initiatives centered around the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN)‘s ability to meet the rising demands of networking, computing and AI workloads. With its high bandwidth and extremely low latency, IOWN accelerates the development of advanced solutions by replacing electronics with photonics in communication infrastructure, creating distributed and efficient networking and AI architecture for a sustainable, low power future. NTT’s exhibition and executive keynote presentations will highlight how photonics-based technologies, distributed computing and 6G integration are enabling energy-efficient, high-performance infrastructure designed to power a sustainable, AI-driven future.

Redefining Intelligence in the 6G Era: Supercharging AI Video Inference and AI Agents

Ahead of MWC, NTT announced two key initiatives around the advancement of AI to meet data processing needs of 6G use cases. The first is a joint project between The University of Tokyo, NTT and NEC Corporation (NEC), integrating 6G and IOWN technologies to achieve high-capacity data communication and optimization of computation processing required for AI agents.

The successful integration affirms the establishment of infrastructure for next-generation ICT systems to enable AI agents to act autonomously, processing and transmitting massive amounts of data with low latency and high reliability. To control computational resources used, reduce end-to-end delay and maintain AI inference accuracy, this approach combines small, specialized AI distributed in a network and external information sources, streaming semantic communication technology and selective media control technology.

The second announcement surrounded a successful demonstration by NTT and NTT DOCOMO of low latency and high-speed AI video analysis using In-Network Computing (INC) Edge. Traditionally, AI inference processing has been controlled by application and servers and data transfer controlled by the network. The proposed method uses INC edge to connect commercial 5G networks and IOWN All-Photonics Networks (APN) and enables distributed GPU resources to be used as part of the 5G network, reducing communication delays.

Experts anticipate that networks in the 6G era will control communication, data processing and inference to ensure high quality of service for data-intensive applications such as AI and robotics. This signals that INC Edge will form a fundamental component for 6G networks to effectively maintain high inference performance; the experiment illustrates that this robust result can be achieved even with geographically distant GPUs, maximizing the value of AI systems.

Photonics Innovation for an AI-Driven Society

Throughout MWC, the NTT Group booth will showcase a range of initiatives that leverage optical technologies to support the growing adoption of AI and drive global transformation of data center and compute infrastructure. These exhibitions will be structured around technologies that leverage IOWN to build energy-efficient infrastructure for an AI-driven society – “AI-Resilient Infrastructure with Photonics” – and real-world use cases for AI – “AI-Powered Services and Solutions.”

NTT will highlight IOWN technologies, including the photonics-electronics convergence (PEC) devices that will be spotlighted in NTT President and CEO Akira Shimada’s keynote, and how they improve energy efficiency in data centers and optical quantum computing to enable large-scale computation with lower power consumption, lower costs and high speed. NTT will also present recent advancements in the integration of AI within 6G mobile networks, inclusive of Network for AI, a concept envisioning seamless coexistence between humans, AI and robots.

Additional technology offerings across NTT operating companies that will be on display at the NTT Group booth will feature initiatives and solutions that drive global transformation across corporate activities and industries such as NTT DATA's Edge AI solutions for enterprise as well as NTT DOCOMO’s platform that enables remote robot operation and autonomous control through Physical AI, new personal AI agent and AI-driven solutions under development for immersive entertainment experiences.

Akira Shimada Keynote: Reimagining the Possibilities of Digital Infrastructure

As part of the event, Shimada-san will deliver a keynote speech titled, “Photonics Unlocks an Intelligent Power-Optimized Future,” on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. His presentation will emphasize the transformational power of IOWN to reduce power consumption, challenging the status quo in the AI era. In his presentation, Shimada-san will introduce key IOWN initiatives including the commercialization of PEC devices and the development of optical quantum computers.

Shimada-san notes, “As AI adoption accelerates the rate at which power consumption is rising, IOWN has become a strategic foundation aiming to address both the explosive growth in data use and the global need for lower energy consumption. IOWN will support AI scaling through sustainable connectivity, helping to transform bold ideas into tangible impact.” He added, “By replacing electronics with photonics, we will give people and businesses the capacity to move beyond the limits of conventional internet infrastructure and redefine what we can achieve.”

About NTT

NTT is a leading global technology innovator, providing a broad range of services to both consumers and businesses. As a mobile operator and provider of infrastructure, networks, and services, NTT is dedicated to promoting a sustainable future through cutting-edge innovations. Our portfolio includes business consulting, AI-powered solutions, application services, global networks, cybersecurity, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. Generating over $90 billion in revenue and employing 340,000 professionals, we allocate 30% of our annual profits to fundamental research and development. With operations spanning more than 70 countries and regions, our clients include over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, alongside thousands of enterprises, government organizations, and millions of consumers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302965001/en/

NTT’s exhibition and executive keynote presentations will highlight how photonics-based technologies, distributed computing and 6G integration are enabling energy-efficient, high-performance infrastructure designed to power a sustainable, AI-driven future.