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

  • Samsung's profit triples on AI-driven memory demand
    on January 29, 2026 at 2:58 am

    (Telecompaper) Samsung Electronics said it delivered a record operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2025, as strong demand for memory chips used in AI servers...

  • Airspan, Space Compass bring 5G HAPS to maritime surveillance 
    by Sulagna Saha on January 28, 2026 at 9:33 pm

    The new air-to-ground communication system is designed to deliver 5G connectivity from a HAPS aircraft in stratosphere for improved maritime intelligence Airspan teams up with Space Compass: The companies are designing a system that will deliver 5G connectivity from stratosphere to ground. High-altitude 5G: The system, designed to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness, will provide connectivity

  • Three ways digital twins can make 6G better
    by Sulagna Saha on January 28, 2026 at 5:31 pm

    Experts believe that digital twins have the potential to revolutionize mobile networks, and will play a critical role in amping 6G’s performance   A digital twin is a virtual rendering of a physical or digital object, so accurate that it reflects the behaviors, peculiarities, and nuances of the object down to the last detail. If

  • BSNL mulls 4G expansion in India
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on January 28, 2026 at 3:33 pm

    BSNL already deployed 98,000 4G sites across the Asian nation In sum – what to know: 22,000 new 4G sites – The Indian government is considering an additional BSNL 4G expansion, with final technical specifications still being processed before a fresh order is placed. TCS-led consortium remains central – Any new deployment would likely go

  • RAN market stabilizes ahead of 6G development: Dell’Oro
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on January 28, 2026 at 3:32 pm

    Dell’Oro noted that RAN spending is expected to remain subdued until 6G-related capex gradually ramps up toward the end of the decade In sum – what to know: RAN market stabilizing post-5G peak – After shedding nearly $10 billion in revenue during 2023–2024, the global RAN market is leveling out, with limited near-term growth until

  • Atlantic crossing – crunch time for subsea cable in the AI era
    by James Blackman on January 28, 2026 at 3:25 pm

    At PTC’26 in Hawaii, a panel of hyperscale and wholesale operators comprising Google, Meta, EXA, and SCCN dissected the mounting pressures on Atlantic subsea infrastructure. With spiralling AI traffic, impending end-of-life systems, and hyperscalers dominating new builds, the industry faces a wholesale supply crunch. In sum – what to know: Supply crunch – with seven

  • UK plans protection for publishers, businesses in new restrictions on Google search practices
    on January 28, 2026 at 1:50 pm

    (Telecompaper) The UK is pushing ahead with restrictions on Google after last year giving the search giant "strategic market status"...

  • AT&T lifts Q4 revenue and EBITDA 4%, aims for faster growth ahead
    on January 28, 2026 at 1:12 pm

    (Telecompaper) AT&T has reported fourth-quarter revenues of USD 33.5 billion, up by 3.6 percent year-on-year from USD 32.3 billion, thanks to higher mobility,...

  • Disrupting Telecom: How Zenture Is Rewriting the Enterprise Network Playbook with Robert Bye
    by Carrie Charles on January 28, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    In this episode, Robert Bye, Founder and President of Zenture Partners, unpacks why enterprise telecom remains stuck in a reactive, spreadsheet-driven world and how his company is using data, automation, and AI to change that. With a background spanning carrier networks, VARs, and global IT procurement, Robert shares how a surprising conversation with a major

  • Telefonica launches Edge computing network across Spain
    on January 28, 2026 at 11:34 am

    (Telecompaper) Telefonica announced a project to create a network of edge computing nodes across Spain as part of its plans to convert legacy copper fixed network exchanges into mini data centres...

  • Tele2 lifts Q4 revenue 4% and earnings 13% amid tight cost and capex control
    on January 28, 2026 at 8:51 am

    (Telecompaper) Tele2 has reported a 4 percent rise in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 13 percent upturn in underlying EBITDAaL amid strict cost control...

  • KPN improves margins on revenues up 3% in Q4, maintains outlook
    on January 28, 2026 at 7:31 am

    (Telecompaper) KPN reported fourth-quarter revenues up 2.7 percent year-on-year to EUR 1.48 billion and adjusted EBITDA after leases rose 5.1 percent to EUR 662 million...

  • SoftBank in talks to boost OpenAI investment up to USD 30 bln - report
    on January 28, 2026 at 6:25 am

    (Telecompaper) SoftBank Group is in discussions to invest up to a further USD 30 billion in OpenAI, potentially increasing its exposure to the AI company as it...

  • Cisco launches the Cisco 360 Partner Program
    by Christian de Looper on January 27, 2026 at 6:28 pm

    Major ecosystem overhaul replaces Gold status with new tiers and unified incentives to drive AI readiness. In sum – what we know: Cisco is completely revamping its partner program. The company has announced the new Cisco 360 Partner Program, representing the company’s most sweeping ecosystem restructuring in a quarter century. The move consolidates a patchwork of legacy

  • 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 are setting sights on some of the biggest trends of 2026  The top technology trends of 2026 are not isolated events — but tightly interwoven themes representing a world that is complex, hyperconnected, and driven by AI.  Viavi CTO, Sameh Yamany, emphasized this

  • 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

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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.