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

  • ​​Blue Origin steps into the spotlight with a 6 Tbps space network 
    by Sulagna Saha on January 23, 2026 at 4:26 pm

    TeraWave is aimed to meet a growing demand for space-based communication in enterprise, data centers, and governments In sum — what to know: 6 Tbps, anywhere on Earth: Jeff Bezos’ space venture, Blue Origin, just announced TeraWave, a multi-orbit network that is designed to deliver up to 6 Tbps symmetrical data speeds anywhere on Earth,

  • Inside Vodafone Germany’s 2026 network expansion plan
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on January 23, 2026 at 3:48 pm

    Vodafone is adding Samsung as a third O-RAN partner, alongside existing suppliers, with Wismar set to become the country’s first O-RAN city In sum – what to know: Network expansion at scale – Vodafone plans 10,600 projects in 2026, including new towers, 5G upgrades and capacity expansions across cities and rural areas. O-RAN moves into

  • eBook: Building AI solutions for telecom
    by RCR Wireless News on January 23, 2026 at 2:58 pm

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world around us, redefining how entire industries operate through real-time insights, automation and more. The Telecom industry has answered the call of AI, and the message is clear: communications service providers (CSPs) who are ready to integrate this transformative technology can stay ahead of the curve and gain significant

  • Almost two-thirds of Dutch support social media ban for under-16s
    on January 23, 2026 at 1:27 pm

    (Telecompaper) Almost two-thirds of people in the Netherlands (63%) support a ban on social media services for children younger than 16 according to a survey by Newcom...

  • TikTok completes US joint venture with new owners
    on January 23, 2026 at 8:12 am

    (Telecompaper) TikTok announced it has completed the formation of a new US joint venture, in order to comply with security directives from the US government...

  • Ericsson raises dividend, starts share buyback after higher margins in 2025
    on January 23, 2026 at 7:17 am

    (Telecompaper) Ericsson proposed a higher dividend and new share buyback after reporting higher profits over 2025...

  • IBM-e& partnership aimed at AI for risk and compliance
    by Christian de Looper on January 22, 2026 at 8:53 pm

    Strategic collaboration targets regulatory complexity using IBM’s watsonx Orchestrate In sum – what we know: Governance, risk, and compliance have never been glamorous work, but for telcos operating across dozens of jurisdictions, they’ve become inescapable. Regulatory requirements keep multiplying, operational complexity keeps growing, and the case for automation becomes increasingly tempting. A new partnership from

  • Three reasons 2026 is Wi-Fi 7’s breakout year, according to Cisco
    by Catherine Sbeglia Nin on January 22, 2026 at 7:14 pm

    Cisco CTO Matt MacPherson says 2026 could mark a turning point for Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7 has been on the roadmap for years, but widespread adoption has lagged behind expectations (most notably in the U.S.). Now, though, Cisco believes the timing has finally aligned. According to Cisco CTO Matt MacPherson, 2026 could mark a turning

  • Industry response builds around potential SpaceX IPO in 2026
    by Sulagna Saha on January 22, 2026 at 6:02 pm

    SpaceX’s expected IPO in 2026 has quickly become the topic of internet chatter, and analysts are weighing in on why going public is a good move, especially for Starlink — and why now  After two decades of operating SpaceX as a private company, Elon Musk confirmed in December that reports of it going public in

  • Sovereignty — hard to define, harder to pull off (Analyst Angle)
    by Joe Madden, Mobile Experts on January 22, 2026 at 5:19 pm

    What is sovereignty? Is the purpose of a “Sovereign Cloud” to house the assets locally? I saw today that Amazon launched its “AWS European Sovereign Cloud,” with its first region in Brandenburg, Germany. I had to chuckle at the absurdity of the focus on local staffing, as if a local technician’s paycheck is the most important

  • How semantic layers are powering scalable analytics in telecom (Reader Forum)
    by Dharmendra Chouhan, Senior Director of Engineering, Kyvos Insights on January 22, 2026 at 5:03 pm

    Semantic layers break silos and establishes a single source of truth, while greatly simplifying interaction with complex data. The telecom industry serves as the backbone of the modern digital economy, powering real-time communication between individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide. With immense pressure to constantly expand connectivity and infrastructure while meeting soaring customer expectations, telecom companies

  • Ericsson unveils 5G-Advanced location services
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on January 22, 2026 at 3:54 pm

    Ericsson aims to enable communications service providers to support location-based services across sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, drones, and public safety In sum – what to know: Location becomes a native 5G function – Ericsson embeds positioning directly into the 5G SA core, removing the need for overlays or external sensors. High-precision indoor and outdoor

  • Bouygues, Free and Orange confirm SFR takeover talks
    on January 22, 2026 at 8:51 am

    (Telecompaper) The consortium comprising Bouygues Telecom, Iliad's Free and Orange has confirmed that it is engaged in discussions to acquire a large part of SFR parent company Altice France...

  • Telenor to exit Thai market with sale of True stake for NOK 39 billion
    on January 22, 2026 at 7:29 am

    (Telecompaper) Telenor has agreed to sell its remaining stake in Thai operator True for a total value of NOK 39 billion...

  • South Korea enacts AI law with focus on safety and industry support
    on January 22, 2026 at 6:55 am

    (Telecompaper) South Korea has brought into force a comprehensive law governing the use of AI, becoming what it says is the first country to implement a nationwide...

  • Testing lifts off to space as tech companies eye orbital launches
    by Sulagna Saha on January 21, 2026 at 6:49 pm

    The space compute race is on — and testing’s next big leap is beyond Earth The race to design space-enabled semiconductors is shaping out faster than anybody anticipated. More companies are now looking skyward to test their brands of semiconductor technologies. Nara Space, the Seoul-based aerospace technology provider, reportedly just won a contract with South

  • 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.

  • EU unveils Digital Networks Act to simplify telecom regulation
    on January 21, 2026 at 10:45 am

    (Telecompaper) The EU has unveiled the proposed Digital Networks Act, overhauling regulation of the telecom sector in an effort to simplify the existing...

  • Netflix forecasts slower revenue growth in 2026 after 18% rise in Q4
    on January 21, 2026 at 7:52 am

    (Telecompaper) Netflix has met its forecasts for growth in 2025, ending the year with over 325 million paid subscribers...

  • CK Hutchison eyes London, Hong Kong listing for telecom business - report
    on January 21, 2026 at 7:33 am

    (Telecompaper) Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison is going ahead with plans to list its telecoms business on the stock market...

  • EU proposes 3-year deadline to remove high-risk suppliers from mobile networks
    on January 20, 2026 at 3:28 pm

    (Telecompaper) The European Commission has proposed an update of the EU's Cybersecurity Act from 2019...

  • 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.