Telecommunications

Expect the biggest technological advancements the industry has seen in years.

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

  • ZTE outlines 6G strategy and unveils GigaMIMO, leading AI-native wireless for 6G evolution
    by RCR Wireless News and ZTE Sponsored on February 28, 2026 at 11:22 am

    The Report Minimum Technical Performance Requirements for IMT-2030 (6G) was formally finalized at the 51st meeting of ITU-R Working Party 5D (WP 5D), which concluded on 12 February 2026. It marks the official transition of 6G from vision and concept to the implementation phase, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent submission and evaluation of

  • M&As that shaped the test and measurement industry in last two years
    by Sulagna Saha on February 27, 2026 at 9:57 pm

    These M&A deals highlight how T&M vendors have revisited their M&A strategies to stay resilient in volatile market conditions Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) has perhaps been one of the most defining characteristics of the test and measurement (T&M) industry in the past two years.  The recent deals — reflective of a broader consolidation trend reshaping

  • Can agentic AI fix the network build problem?
    by Sulagna Saha on February 27, 2026 at 7:44 pm

    With labor shortages and chronic overruns plaguing broadband construction, agentic AI is emerging as a tool for discipline and timely execution In a recent episode of The Ezra Klein Show, New York Times columnist Ezra Klein said, “I think that period in which we are always talking about the future, I think it’s over now.”

  • Rakuten Mobile to deploy 3,000 open mMIMO radios in Japan
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on February 27, 2026 at 4:02 pm

    Sudhakar Pandey, head of RAN at Rakuten Mobile, told RCR Wireless News that the telco is expecting around 7% throughput gain in high traffic areas with the wider coverage due to higher gain antennas In sum – what to know: 3,000 radios in first phase – Rakuten Mobile is installing around 3,000 32T32R massive MIMO

  • “The dark days are over” — Lumen lights up new ‘AI corridors’
    by James Blackman on February 27, 2026 at 3:57 pm

    Once in defensive mode and fighting decline, Lumen Technologies has re-emerged with a radically simplified strategy, a repaired balance sheet, and a bold claim to be critical infrastructure for the AI economy — as enterprise network spending shifts from connecting offices to connecting data centres and GPUs. In sum – what to know: Total reset

  • Webinar: Test, measurement and service assurance in the AI era
    by RCR Wireless News on February 27, 2026 at 2:24 pm

    As AI steadily gains ground across industries, test, measurement, and service assurance are under pressure to evolve. Vendors are now facing mounting complexities that traditional test and measurement methods were never designed to handle. Join this RCR Wireless News’ webinar on March 26th to explore the impacts of the rapid rampup of AI infrastructure, and the complexities

  • OpenAI agrees USD 110 bln in new funding, Amazon joins as investor
    on February 27, 2026 at 1:49 pm

    (Telecompaper) OpenAI has agreed a new USD 110 billion investment, giving the ChatGPT founder a pre-money valuation of USD 730 billion, more than twice what it was worth six months ago...

  • ‘Literally truthful’ claims — T-Mobile US responds to Verizon lawsuit
    by Catherine Sbeglia Nin on February 27, 2026 at 10:20 am

    T-Mobile US is accusing Verizon of hypocrisy, pointing to its own “Switch to Verizon” marketing campaign T-Mobile US has filed an official opposition to Verizon’s lawsuit, which alleges that the former’s claims of more than $1,000 in annual savings for switchers are “mathematical fiction.” First, a refresher: Verizon is alleging that T-Mobile US has mischaracterized

  • Cellnex FY revenues up 6% to EUR 4.2 bln, net loss widens on restructuring costs
    on February 27, 2026 at 8:41 am

    (Telecompaper) Spanish operator Cellnex Telecom, Europe's largest mobile towers company, reported revenues up 5.8 percent to EUR 4.2 billion in 2025, attributed to...

  • Huawei takes on fitness market with new runner's smartwatch
    on February 27, 2026 at 8:06 am

    (Telecompaper) Huawei unveiled a new slate of consumer devices at an event in Madrid ahead of Mobile World Congress...

  • Proximus revenues fall nearly 7% in Q4, to cut dividend in new growth plan
    on February 27, 2026 at 7:38 am

    (Telecompaper) Proximus reported revenues down 6.6 percent year-on-year to EUR 1.58 billion in the fourth quarter, hurt by problems at its Global business...

  • Netflix declines to raise bid for Warner Bros Discovery
    on February 27, 2026 at 7:05 am

    (Telecompaper) Netflix announced it will not raise its takeover offer for Warner Bros Discovery to match rival Paramount Skydance's increased bid...

  • Metro Connect 2026: Fiber on the rise, data centers under fire
    by Sulagna Saha on February 26, 2026 at 8:45 pm

    Morgan Lewis’ Andrew Lipman surfaces the top trends to watch in 2026 at Metro Connect With the show floor packed with fiber connectivity players, data center providers, and software folks with all their financial backers, Metro Connect 2026 was a full house.  The keynote sessions and panel discussions were loaded with commentaries and insights, bold

  • U Mobile signs 5G wholesale contract with Telekom Malaysia
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on February 26, 2026 at 6:43 pm

    U Mobile said its 5G rollout is targeting 80% population coverage by the second half of 2026 In sum – what to know: Three-year wholesale agreement – U Mobile will provide 5G MOCN services to Telekom Malaysia, covering provisioning, integration, and optimization. 80% population coverage target – U Mobile aims to reach 80% population coverage

  • MasOrange to unify 5G SA core with Ericsson
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on February 26, 2026 at 6:43 pm

    MasOrange evaluated bids from several vendors, including Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE, and Mavenir In sum – what to know: Unified 5G SA core deployment – MasOrange will replace dual legacy cores with a single Ericsson-supplied 5G SA core under a six-year agreement. Fixed voice consolidation – Four separate IMS platforms, including systems from Huawei and

  • Millicom Q4 revenues up over 15% to USD 1.7 bln following acquisitions
    on February 26, 2026 at 2:51 pm

    (Telecompaper) Millicom, owner of Tigo-branded operations across Latin America, said its revenues climbed 15.7 percent to USD 1.65 billion in the fourth quarter of...

  • Deutsche Telekom meets FY outlook with sales, EBITDA up nearly 3%
    on February 26, 2026 at 7:36 am

    (Telecompaper) Deutsche Telekom has met its outlook for higher annual results, led by its expansion in the US...

  • SK Telecom completes AI-RAN trial
    on February 26, 2026 at 6:45 am

    (Telecompaper) SK Telecom (SKT) said it has successfully demonstrated AI-RAN in a trial network, combining AI and telecommunications infrastructure in a single system...

  • Samsung introduces Galaxy S26 as multi-agent AI platform, prices rise up to 20%
    on February 26, 2026 at 6:07 am

    (Telecompaper) Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy S26 series at a launch event in San Francisco, positioning the device as a multi-agent AI platform and its third generation of AI-focused smartphones...

  • Iliad's Free inks build-to-suit deal with TDF for 2,500 new cell sites
    on February 25, 2026 at 9:49 am

    (Telecompaper) French operator Free Mobile, part of the Iliad group, announced a build-to-suit (BTS) agreement with TDF providing for the deployment of 2,500 new cell sites...

  • 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.