Telecommunications

Looking into the present, telecommunications companies are gearing up for some of the biggest technological advancements the industry has seen in years. Emerging trends such as the 5G revolution and the advancement of the internet of things (IoT) will reshape the  sector and force innovation on a massive scale. 

5G will bring three major upgrades from greater speed to move more data, decreased latency for shorter load times and increased ability to connect more devices at once. 5G networks will enable more detailed and efficient augmented and virtual realities, higher resolution video, fully autonomous vehicles, massive connected IoT networks (such as smart cities), and more. 5G is the most highly anticipated change to the future of telecom since……4G!

The IoT consists of a network of connected devices, able to communicate with each other that can be controlled and monitored remotely. There are now an estimated 30 billion connected IoT devices worldwide, many of which are thought to be industrial connections which are an essential component of smart cities.

Smart cities take the IoT a step further by creating an interconnected network that residents can access online, often through mobile apps. A network like this will provide data and communication channels allowing users to better manage their day-to-day activities, from corresponding directly with their government to instantly finding a parking spot on a busy day.

The main goal of smart cities is to create a better quality of living for their citizens by streamlining urban services such as energy and transportation through the use of smart technology. However, prior to the promise of 5G networks, experts couldn’t foresee the capacity to support the amount of data a truly connected city would generate. Now that 5G is a reality many major urban areas will be racing to be the first to introduce their own smart city. 

The use of AI in the telecom industry encompasses a myriad of focus areas. Customer service and network optimisation are at the top of that list. Some of the biggest implementations of AI will be in these spaces and predictive analytics is one of the most promising capabilities of AI technology, especially for the telecom community. AI-based analytics provide telecom companies with the ability to use data and machine learning software to predict future industry trends and potential infrastructure snags, and to continuously assess their service for bugs or potential pitfalls. Additionally, AI-based chat-bots and virtual assistants will transform the way businesses handle customer service. They can automate conversations and successfully mimic human speech, while drawing data and insights to provide personalised and positive experiences.

Diversified Ecosystems will play a large part too as  much like ecosystems function in nature, industrial ecosystems are a network of cross-industry organisations that work together to create a stronger, more advanced industry. The telecom industry will see a move toward creating those lucrative ecosystems. Ecosystems could unlock up to £100 trillion in value during the next 10 years by unlocking competitive agility. Telecom companies have the highest potential to come together and form such alliances. Industry leaders agree, with 83 percent citing ecosystems as an important piece of their disruption strategy.

The introduction of IoT networks, backed with 5G capabilities, will make this even easier and will allow companies to seamlessly collaborate to advance these technologies across their networks.The telecommunications industry is a vital center for cutting-edge technology adoption. With the integration of AI technologies, 5G networks, and the IoT, telecom organisations will continue to be at the forefront of technological growth.

Industry News

  • LPWAN tipping point – as LoRaWAN passes 125m devices (Reader Forum)
    by Olivier Beaujard, Senior Director of LoRa Ecosystem, Semtech on January 2, 2026 at 2:18 pm

    When technologies cross certain adoption thresholds, something changes in the market. It’s called the tipping point because the size and success of the installed base reaches a point where customers trust the technology and its progress becomes unstoppable. This is what has happened to the IoT market with LoRaWAN, says Semtech and the LoRa Alliance.

  • Fastweb completes Vodafone Italia integration with legal merger
    on January 2, 2026 at 12:04 pm

    (Telecompaper) Fastweb has completed the legal merger with Vodafone Italia, absorbing the operator acquired a year ago from 01 January 2026...

  • Orange CEO says AI will drive over two thirds of its network traffic by 2030
    on January 2, 2026 at 9:35 am

    (Telecompaper) Christel Heydemann, CEO of the Orange group, shared insights into the impact of AI on the telecom sector during an interview at the 2025 'Adopt AI...

  • Telenor completes sale of Pakistani operations to PTCL
    on January 2, 2026 at 9:08 am

    (Telecompaper) Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) said that it formally completed the acquisition of 100 percent of the issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers on 31 December 2025...

  • Finnish police probe damage to Elisa Baltic submarine cable
    on January 2, 2026 at 8:54 am

    (Telecompaper) Finnish police are investigating damage to Elisa's submarine cable connecting Finland with Estonia that occurred in the Gulf of Finland in the early hours of 31 December...

  • Vodafone settles outstanding Vi liabilities with share transfer
    on January 2, 2026 at 8:10 am

    (Telecompaper) Vodafone Group has reached a settlement with its Indian affiliate Vi to settle outstanding service fees and liabilities...

  • Baidu to spin off AI chip business Kunlunxin in Hong Kong listing
    on January 2, 2026 at 7:48 am

    (Telecompaper) Chinese internet group Baidu announced plans to pursue a separate stock market listing for its semiconductor arm Kunlunxin...

  • Digital twins could get a whole lot more powerful with AI
    by Christian de Looper on January 1, 2026 at 10:17 pm

    AI could reshape digital twins, but we have a way to go before it might be reliable enough Digital twins in telecommunications are exactly what they sound like — virtual replicas of network infrastructure that mirror both the physical hardware and the logic running through it. What makes them interesting is the so-called “digital thread”

  • Samsung prepares US release of A17 5G smartphone, Tab A11+ tablet
    on December 31, 2025 at 9:48 am

    (Telecompaper) Samsung Electronics America has announced new additions to its A-series Galaxy range. The A17 5G is a budget-tier smartphone with a 6.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display and 90 Hz refresh rate...

  • China Mobile launches MVNO service in Russia with Beeline
    on December 31, 2025 at 9:31 am

    (Telecompaper) Russian operator Beeline, in cooperation with China Mobile International (CMI), has launched the service CMLink in Russia...

  • Egypt targets production of 15 mln mobile phones in 2026
    on December 31, 2025 at 7:33 am

    (Telecompaper) Egypt aims to produce 15 million mobile phones in 2026 and begin exporting devices to international markets, following the manufacture of 10 million...

  • Meta to acquire genAI service Manus at reported USD 2 bln valuation
    on December 30, 2025 at 11:52 am

    (Telecompaper) Meta's Platforms subsidiary has agreed to acquire Singapore-based Manus, creators of a general-purpose AI agent tailored to deep research and other complex workloads...

  • Telco AI startups to watch
    by Christian de Looper on December 22, 2025 at 11:52 pm

    There are plenty of exciting new startups to keep an eye on The telco AI sector is going through massive growth. According to a Presedence Research report, while representing a $2.66 billion market today, the telco AI market is projected to reach $50.21 billion by 2034. That transition from strategy decks to actual deployment has opened up space

  • What to Know About the Cloud and Data Centers in 2026
    by jmiller@telegeography.com (Jayne Miller) on December 22, 2025 at 2:23 pm

    We're wrapping up our telecom year-in-review series with perhaps the hottest topics of them all: data centers, cloud, and AI. TeleGeography experts Jon Hjembo and Patrick Christian join the show to address core questions about recent data center and AI booms—specifically, what it means for the year ahead. If you haven’t yet, be sure to listen to our first two episodes on transport trends, pricing, and enterprise networks. 

  • HCLTech acquires HPE telco unit
    by Christian de Looper on December 19, 2025 at 6:25 pm

    HCLTech moves toward a future of AI-driven growth In sum – what we know: HCLTech is doubling down on telecom infrastructure — specifically as it relates to AI. The Indian IT services giant has signed a deal to acquire Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Telco Solutions business for up to $160 million. It’s the second major transaction between the

  • Ookla on the network trends shaping 2026
    by RCR Wireless News on December 19, 2025 at 4:24 pm

    How does Ookla expect networks to evolve in 2026 to support new applications, devices, and usage patterns? RCR Wireless News spoke with Kerry Baker, who leads Ookla’s research and content efforts in North America, to learn more about how networks are expected to evolve in 2026 to support new applications, devices, and usage patterns —

  • AI infrastructure predictions round-up — what 2026 will demand
    by RCR Wireless News on December 19, 2025 at 3:40 pm

    Predictions from Zayo, Digital Infrastructure, and Mission Critical Group about what to expect from AI infrastructure in 2026 As AI workloads scale and infrastructure cycles compress, the pressure on networks, power systems, and physical deployment models is intensifying. By 2026, industry leaders expect competitive advantage to hinge less on raw compute and more on how

  • Seven geospatial breakthroughs reshaping telecom networks (Reader Forum)
    by Jesse Lynch, Senior Manager of Partnerships and Alliances, Ocient on December 19, 2025 at 3:20 pm

    Geospatial analytics is now a strategic asset for network planning, customer insights, and AI-driven operations In the race to deliver faster, smarter, and more resilient networks, CSP and telco leaders are finding a powerful ally in geospatial innovation. Once used primarily for emergency response and basic location services, geospatial analytics is now a strategic asset

  • 2026 predications — from Enea
    by John Hughes, Head of Network Security, Enea on December 19, 2025 at 3:12 pm

    A forward-looking snapshot from Enea of the trends, tensions, and technologies set to shape the year ahead As telecom heads into 2026, several themes are converging: satellite connectivity moving into the mainstream, AI shifting from customer-facing tools into core network operations, regulators flexing their muscles, and messaging economics hitting critical inflection points. Below, Enea offers

  • How will your company be noticed at CES 2026 over AI noise? (Analyst Angle)
    by Jeff Kagan on December 19, 2025 at 3:11 pm

    The pace of change, thanks to AI, is breathtaking at CES 2026 CES 2026 is coming quickly. This time around, things will be very different thanks to AI. With all the noise and chaos, just getting noticed will be tougher than ever. So, how will your company get noticed? This time of year, my email

  • The mobile core’s dynamic future: AI, edge, disaster protection, and non-terrestrial networks (Reader Forum)
    by Joachim Ungruh, Head of Core Portfolio Management, Cloud and Network Services, Nokia on December 19, 2025 at 2:52 pm

    2026 promises to be a pivotal year across four key technologies in the mobile core — AI, edge access, disaster protection, and non-terrestrial networks When T-Mobile US launched the world’s first nationwide 5G Standalone (5G SA) network in 2020, followed by telecommunications providers around the globe, it ushered in a new era of connectivity. Today,

  • Digital Infrastructure Resources for Metro Connect Attendees
    by TeleGeography Staff on December 19, 2025 at 1:15 pm

    Metro Connect is turning 25, and we're all invited to the birthday party. If you're planning to attend this year's conference in February, you might want some quick analysis and major trends from the digital infrastructure landscape to make the most of the fiber-packed agenda.  We've collected conference logistics and key digital infrastructure insight from our team to assist anyone planning their trip to Florida.

  • What to Know About Pricing and Enterprise Networks in 2026
    by jmiller@telegeography.com (Jayne Miller) on December 18, 2025 at 1:57 pm

    Welcome to the second episode in our three-part series catching up on the most interesting stories in telecom from 2025, and looking forward to what we expect in 2026. (If you're just joining, you can go back and check out our first episode on transport network developments.)

  • What to Know About Transport Networks in 2026
    by jmiller@telegeography.com (Jayne Miller) on December 17, 2025 at 2:53 pm

    Happy holidays, TeleGeography Explains the Internet listeners.

  • Exploring New Subsea Cables Through the Middle East
    by cchua@telegeography.com (Clara Chua) on December 12, 2025 at 1:00 pm

    As our team prepares for Capacity Middle East 2026, we've rounded up the best resources to help you brush up on important topics before you go.

  • How Great ISPs Nail Their Net Promoter Score Surveys
    by gbryan@telegeography.com (Greg Bryan) on December 11, 2025 at 1:15 pm

    While we hear a lot about automated provisioning and NaaS, how long does it really take to get a quote for DIA service? Or more to the point: how long does it take to actually get a circuit installed? And what do enterprises really think of their ISPs?

  • Prep for PTC With Our Experts
    by jmiller@telegeography.com (Jayne Miller) on December 8, 2025 at 12:45 pm

    What will everyone be talking about at PTC'26, and what headlines do you need to brush up on to make the most of the event? This is what our team has been thinking about as we prep for the January conference and outline our annual telecom workshop. (No spoilers on that just yet, but watch this space.) The good news is that you can borrow from our expert conference planning.

  • European Bandwidth Market: Current Snapshot
    by aparker@telegeography.com (Stacey Parker) on December 5, 2025 at 4:33 pm

    Europe is experiencing a surge in capacity demand with a critical need to connect numerous data centers. Consequently, larger customers are shifting to higher capacity services, specifically 400 Gbps and dark fiber.

  • Securing Global Communications: An Examination of Foreign Adversary Threats to Subsea Cable Infrastructure
    by tstronge@telegeography.com (Tim Stronge) on November 20, 2025 at 6:49 pm

    Governments around the world are asking critical questions about national security and submarine cables, seeking to protect this critical infrastructure and mitigate risk.

  • What’s Shaping Business Broadband Going into 2026
    by Maddy Peck on November 17, 2025 at 7:44 pm

    What determines the cost of business broadband? The price depends on a variety of factors:

  • AI-Powered Call Analytics: Leveraging Data for Business Insights
    by Allyn Jayawon on October 21, 2024 at 9:00 am

    At RingCentral, we understand the importance of efficient and insightful customer interactions. With today’s fast-paced business environment, it’s essential to not only manage customer calls but to gain valuable insights … Read more "AI-Powered Call Analytics: Leveraging Data for Business Insights" The post AI-Powered Call Analytics: Leveraging Data for Business Insights appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • The Ethical Use of AI in Phone Technology: Protecting Privacy and Ensuring Security
    by Allyn Jayawon on October 14, 2024 at 9:00 am

    As phone technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, AI has become a game-changer, bringing remarkable benefits like boosting productivity and personalising user experiences. For example, a recent survey … Read more "The Ethical Use of AI in Phone Technology: Protecting Privacy and Ensuring Security" The post The Ethical Use of AI in Phone Technology: Protecting Privacy and Ensuring Security appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • Personalisation in Telephony: How AI Transforms User Experiences
    by RingCentral Team on October 7, 2024 at 9:00 am

    Did you know that 91% of consumers prefer to shop with brands that offer relevant offers and recommendations? This stat shows just how much personalised experiences are expected—not just in … Read more "Personalisation in Telephony: How AI Transforms User Experiences" The post Personalisation in Telephony: How AI Transforms User Experiences appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • Challenges and Opportunities: AI Adoption in Telephony for Businesses
    by RingCentral Team on September 30, 2024 at 9:00 am

    In this article, we’ll explore how AI is transforming the landscape of business telephony. We’ll delve into the ways AI is driving significant improvements in communication, efficiency, and customer engagement. … Read more "Challenges and Opportunities: AI Adoption in Telephony for Businesses" The post Challenges and Opportunities: AI Adoption in Telephony for Businesses appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • How AI is Transforming Security in Telephony: A Detailed Overview
    by RingCentral Team on September 23, 2024 at 9:00 am

    In today’s fast-paced digital world, keeping our communication secure is more important than ever. With the rise of sophisticated threats like spam calls, phishing scams, and voice cloning, ensuring the … Read more "How AI is Transforming Security in Telephony: A Detailed Overview" The post How AI is Transforming Security in Telephony: A Detailed Overview appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • Instant Messaging in Business Communications
    by silvia campean on August 12, 2024 at 9:00 am

    What is instant messaging? Instant messaging (IM) empowers businesses to communicate efficiently, collaborate effectively, and enhance customer experiences. Instant messaging (IM) has transformed the way businesses communicate, both internally and … Read more "Instant Messaging in Business Communications" The post Instant Messaging in Business Communications appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • Discover Powerful Communication & Collaboration with RingCentral’s RingEX Demo
    by RingCentral Team on July 22, 2024 at 9:00 am

    Boost business productivity and improve customer interactions with a comprehensive communications solution – RingCentral RingEX. This article dives into RingCentral’s capabilities, explores the features, and guides you through experiencing the … Read more "Discover Powerful Communication & Collaboration with RingCentral’s RingEX Demo" The post Discover Powerful Communication & Collaboration with RingCentral’s RingEX Demo appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • Optimise Outbound Calling with AI-powered Predictive Dialers
    by Allyn Jayawon on June 3, 2024 at 9:00 am

    Traditional outbound calling has long been a cornerstone of sales and customer outreach efforts. However, the challenges associated with manual dialling, such as low agent productivity, frustrated customers, and inefficient … Read more "Optimise Outbound Calling with AI-powered Predictive Dialers" The post Optimise Outbound Calling with AI-powered Predictive Dialers appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • AI-Powered Virtual Assistants: Transforming Customer Service in Contact Centre 2024
    by Allyn Jayawon on May 13, 2024 at 9:00 am

    In today’s cut-throat business environment, providing exceptional customer service is no longer a perk, it’s essential. Customers expect prompt, personalised experiences, and businesses that fail to deliver risk losing their … Read more "AI-Powered Virtual Assistants: Transforming Customer Service in Contact Centre 2024" The post AI-Powered Virtual Assistants: Transforming Customer Service in Contact Centre 2024 appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.

  • AI-Powered Voice Recognition: Transforming Telephony
    by Allyn Jayawon on May 6, 2024 at 9:00 am

    Voice recognition technology, a subset of artificial intelligence, has made significant strides in recent years. By accurately converting spoken language into text, it has opened up new possibilities for human-computer … Read more "AI-Powered Voice Recognition: Transforming Telephony" The post AI-Powered Voice Recognition: Transforming Telephony appeared first on RingCentral UK Blog.