China Telecom to target new AI, satellite devices in 2025China Telecom to target new AI, satellite devices in 2025

China Telecom has identified AI, 5G new calling and sat-to-phone devices as its handset priorities for 2025.

Executives at a conference last week set out the company's aspirations for its handset development partnerships with industry next year. The state-owned operator, like other Chinese telcos, is hands-on in working with local manufacturers to build the devices it wants to sell through its channels.

And while the sales of smartphones and other hardware might be a small part of its overall business, they still amounted to a handy 21.8 billion Chinese yuan (US$3.0 billion) in the first half of this year.

Additionally, China Telecom’s smartphone priorities point to its major corporate objectives. As vice president Li Jun explained, devices are critical right across the business. "Terminals are an extension of the cloud network, a carrier of services, and a user interface," he said.

Another exec, deputy marketing chief Shao Yantao, laid out the company's device strategy for the year ahead. He said China Telecom's business was based on networks, cloud-network integration and quantum security, with a focus on three technology directions - AI, 5G and satellites.

With AI, it aims to carry out joint product development with OEM partners to build device-cloud capabilities and establish AI models.

AI door locks & speakers

The operator would also aim to lead "domestic and foreign" projects in cloud-based AI mobile phones. Besides smartphones, other AI-powered products next year would likely include door locks, speakers, glasses and watches, Shao said. 

Satellite is also a high priority. Besides phones to support direct-to-cell calling, it also hoped to develop low-cost positioning tech using Beidou and 5G location capabilities.

The other big focus area is 5G enhanced calling, based on new IMS DC (data channel) capabilities, with the aim of opening up new use cases like screen sharing and interactive games during a voice call.

China Telecom would develop its own open-source IMS DC SDK to support AI, payments, XR and other new functionality, Shao said. But he acknowledged the need to build cooperation across the industry ecosystem.

The operator and its partners would also collaborate on VoWiFI and 3CC carrier aggregation for 5G-Advanced devices, he added.