Huawei is doubling down on its push to be a major player in AI and 5G infrastructure, even as the telecom industry hits a slowdown. At the Shanghai Mobile World Congress, Huawei’s deputy chairman Eric Xu Zhijun acknowledged that after decades of explosive growth, the market is now saturated—people have what they need, and expansion is tougher. But Huawei sees opportunity in helping operators pivot, with Xu laying out four potential paths forward (though the details weren’t spelled out here).

Editor’s Note: Huawei’s positioning here matters because it’s not just about selling more hardware—it’s about shaping the next phase of global connectivity. With 5G adoption uneven and AI hype at a fever pitch, Huawei’s trying to convince the world it’s still the go-to for infrastructure, despite geopolitical tensions that have sidelined it in some markets. If they succeed, it could redefine how networks evolve in the coming decade. If not, it’s a sign that even tech giants can’t outrun market saturation forever.