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

  • Key themes that will shape test and measurement in 2026
    by Sulagna Saha on January 27, 2026 at 5:53 pm

    From historic AI spendings to ambitious 6G roadmaps, test and measurement players have their eyes set on some of the biggest trends of 2026  The top technology trends of 2026 are not isolated shifts — but tightly interwoven themes representing a world that is complex, hyperconnected, and driven by AI.  Viavi CTO, Sameh Yamany, emphasized

  • NEC readies 5G massive MIMO radio for 2026 launch
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on January 27, 2026 at 3:31 pm

    NEC plans an initial Japan launch in early fiscal 2026, followed by international versions later in the year In sum – what to know: Throughput and efficiency gains – NEC’s new massive MIMO RU delivers up to 54% downlink and 48% uplink throughput improvements while cutting power consumption by more than 40% in normal operation.

  • Entel Peru increases 3.5 GHz spectrum for 5G
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on January 27, 2026 at 3:29 pm

    Entel said the added capacity will support use cases that depend on low latency and high reliability, including telemedicine, connected education, and industrial automation In sum – what to know: Up to 100 MHz activated – Entel increased its usable 5G spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band from 20 MHz to 80–100 MHz, depending on

  • The big dig – how edge AI inference shifts the fibre bottleneck 
    by James Blackman on January 27, 2026 at 3:22 pm

    As AI workloads move from centralised training to distributed inference, the industry’s infrastructure challenge is changing shape. Power and land matter, but Nvidia, SUBCO, and Zayo – on a panel at PTC’26 – argue that connectivity, latency, and scale in terrestrial and subsea fibre networks are fast becoming the next hard constraints. In sum –

  • EU prepares remedies to curb Google power in Android AI, search markets
    on January 27, 2026 at 2:52 pm

    (Telecompaper) The EU is working on ways to level the competitive playing field with Google, as part of the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act...

  • RCR Wireless News launches the Defense Communications Forum
    by RCR Wireless News on January 27, 2026 at 2:13 pm

    January 27, 2026 – RCR Wireless News has announced the launch of the Defense Communications Forum, a new event dedicated to addressing the evolving communications challenges defense organizations face as they modernize critical infrastructure. Defense and goverment agencies worldwide are under growing pressure to integrate advanced technologies that deliver secure, resilient and mission-ready networks. As

  • Corning signs deal worth up to USD 6 bln to provide cable for Meta data centres
    on January 27, 2026 at 2:13 pm

    (Telecompaper) Corning announced a multi-year agreement with Meta worth up to USD 6 billion to speed up the expansion of Meta's US data centres...

  • Tecnotree CEO leads buy-out bid for company valued at EUR 131 million
    on January 27, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    (Telecompaper) A consortium involving Tecnotree CEO Padma Ravichander has tabled an all-cash offer to buy the company's entire share capital from existing...

  • French parliament votes in favour of social media ban for under-15s
    on January 27, 2026 at 8:52 am

    (Telecompaper) France's lower house of parliament has voted in favour of draft legislation backed by president Emmanuel Macron, aimed at protecting children from social media platforms...

  • Apple updates AirTag with longer range and expanded Find My integration
    on January 27, 2026 at 5:43 am

    (Telecompaper) Apple has announced a new version of its AirTag item tracker, introducing a longer finding range, louder audio alerts and broader support across its device ecosystem...

  • Rohde & Schwarz, Qualcomm, Motorola demo live 5G Broadcast in Brazil amid TV 3.0 push
    by Sulagna Saha on January 26, 2026 at 8:57 pm

    The demonstration shows live delivery of television content and added services to Motorola smartphones In sum — what to know: 5G Broadcast PoC: R&S, Qualcomm and Motorola showcased a proof of concept (PoC) of 5G Broadcast at the SET Expo 2025 event in São Paulo, Brazil. Direct: The PoC delivered live television and added-revenue services

  • Deutsche Telekom launches low-cost brand Congstar on fibre market
    on January 26, 2026 at 4:36 pm

    (Telecompaper) Deutsche Telekom is bringing its low-cost brand Congstar to the FTTH market. Congstar will start to offer fibre internet tariffs from 02 February, as...

  • VIAVI Solutions Webinar: De-risking Open RAN at speed
    by RCR Wireless News on January 26, 2026 at 4:14 pm

    Open RAN promises innovation and freedom, but only if performance, timing, and security work flawlessly together. Join experts Owen O’Donnell, Wireless Product Marketing Manager at VIAVI and Paul Norris, Strategic Account Director at Calnex Solutions to learn how the strategic partnership between VIAVI and Calnex Solutions removes the complexity, cost, and uncertainty from Open RAN

  • ING sees European telecoms sales up 2% in 2026, median EBITDA growth at 2.5%
    on January 26, 2026 at 2:34 pm

    (Telecompaper) Sales in the European telecoms sector should rise by 2 percent in 2026 thanks to new services such as bigger bundles, higher speeds and low-latency...

  • Under-supply to over-supply – the generational AI build-cycle
    by James Blackman on January 26, 2026 at 1:53 pm

    Hyperscaler capex is surging, vacancy has all but vanished, and AI is pushing data centre demand far beyond traditional hubs – but questions remain over power, people, and long-term returns as development spills into secondary and tertiary markets. In sum – what to know: Mega buildout – hyperscaler spending on AI infra is at a

  • Fnac Darty shareholder launches takeover bid for full control
    on January 26, 2026 at 11:22 am

    (Telecompaper) Fnac Darty's board of directors unanimously welcomed a proposed takeover bid from EP Group, which has been the retailer's main shareholder since 2023...

  • Netmore acquires rival Actility to reach 14 mln contracted IoT devices
    on January 26, 2026 at 10:02 am

    (Telecompaper) Sweden‑based IoT operator Netmore announced the acquisition of French company Actility, marking a major step in the consolidation of the European IoT ecosystem...

  • Chunghwa Telecom targets 3% revenue growth in 2026, unveils AI strategy
    on January 26, 2026 at 8:48 am

    (Telecompaper) Taiwanese operator Chunghwa Telecom expected to achieve total revenue ranging between TWD 241.99 billion and TWD 243.68 billion in 2026, which...

  • AST SpaceMobile to launch BlueBird 7 in February 
    by Sulagna Saha on January 23, 2026 at 8:48 pm

    The Block 2 BlueBirds will launch in late February from Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on a Blue Origin New Glenn launch vehicle Launch date: AST SpaceMobile schedules launch of BlueBird 7 for late February, as it prepares to roll out beta service with AT&T in the first half of 2026. Bigger

  • How AI will make the telco chatbot better
    by Christian de Looper on January 23, 2026 at 7:07 pm

    The humble chatbot is an easy first step for telco AI integration The era of clunky, script-bound chatbots that leave customers more frustrated than helped is arguably winding down. Telecom companies have spent years relying on decision-tree systems that fail at understanding what customers actually want. Now they’re rolling out AI-powered platforms that can hold

  • Read This Before Your Next Subsea Networks Event
    by TeleGeography Staff on January 21, 2026 at 1:31 pm

    It's conference season and our traveling team of experts is preparing for lots of upcoming industry conferences, including the IQPC Subsea Networks event happening as part of Subsea Nexus Week in February. We're here to help you prep for the gathering in Singapore. Here's what to know, where to register, and which topics to read up on in advance.

  • 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. 

  • 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 jhull@telegeography.com (Jon Hull) 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.

  • 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.