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

  • Orange lays out plans for growth in cash flow, dividends as capex falls in years ahead
    on February 19, 2026 at 7:43 am

    (Telecompaper) Orange has forecast steady growth in cash flow and dividends in the years ahead, thanks to a combination of acquisitions, organic growth and savings...

  • Google adds new India subsea routes with third national gateway
    on February 18, 2026 at 11:27 pm

    (Telecompaper) Google has announced a series of new subsea and terrestrial fibre investments linking India with the Australia, South Africa and Singapore, alongside...

  • MasOrange expands 5G-A tech across Spain with Ericsson
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on February 18, 2026 at 5:15 pm

    MasOrange and Ericsson said the network upgrades could support applications such as cloud gaming, real-time video, AR/VR, and connected wearables In sum – what to know: 5G-A live in 20 cities – MasOrange has activated new RAN capabilities nationwide, including in Madrid and Barcelona. Focus on efficiency and latency – Carrier aggregation, RedCap, and L4S

  • 5G core reaches 50% of MCN market: Dell’Oro
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on February 18, 2026 at 5:14 pm

    Dave Bolan research director at Dell’Oro told RCR Wireless News that the research firm projects the 5G MCN market to account for more than 50% of the market this year In sum – what to know: MCN revenues up 15% – The market recorded its strongest annual growth rate since 2014, with gains across 4G,

  • AI to drive 700% WAN traffic surge by 2034: Nokia
    by Catherine Sbeglia Nin on February 18, 2026 at 5:12 pm

    Nokia also estimates that AI could represent 30% of all global traffic In sum – what to know: A new traffic wave – Unlike video or SaaS, AI generates compounding demand through user interactions, API calls, agent-to-agent workflows, and constant data replication across clouds and regions. Inference and agentic AI – Training is centralized and

  • Google launches Pixel 10a with new colours, same price
    on February 18, 2026 at 3:36 pm

    (Telecompaper) Google has unveiled the Pixel 10a, its most affordable smartphone in the Pixel range starting at USD 499/EUR 549 for 128 GB storage...

  • Virgin Media O2 owners confirm deal to acquire Netomnia
    on February 18, 2026 at 1:51 pm

    (Telecompaper) Liberty Global, Telefonica and InfraVia have announced a deal to acquire Substantial Group, the UK fibre network operator known as Netomnia, through...

  • Liberty Global buys out Vodafone in Dutch joint venture, plans Amsterdam listing in 2027
    on February 18, 2026 at 1:24 pm

    (Telecompaper) Liberty Global is buying out its partner Vodafone Group in their Dutch joint venture VodafoneZiggo...

  • MTN to acquire all of IHS Towers for USD 6 bln
    on February 18, 2026 at 7:36 am

    (Telecompaper) IHS Towers has agreed a takeover by MTN Group for USD 8.50 per share cash, giving the company an approximately USD 6.2 billion enterprise value...

  • Ericsson trials maritime 5G SA, as it ramps up defense push for 2026
    by Sulagna Saha on February 17, 2026 at 10:27 pm

    The company collaborated with defense company, Leonardo, and the Italian Navy to trial a 5G Standalone network aboard naval ships 5G SA at sea: Ericsson collaborates with Leonardo and the Italian Navy to demonstrate 5G SA connectivity between two naval vessels. Defense pivot in action: The trial comes after CEO, Börje Ekholm, outlined plans to

  • RADCOM’s revenue in line with ‘six consecutive years of growth’, supported by heavy demand from 5G and AI  
    by Sulagna Saha on February 17, 2026 at 6:34 pm

    RADCOM posted revenue of $71.5 million for fiscal 2025, up 17.2% year-over-year, marking steady growth for six years in a row In sum — what to know: Strong financial performance: RADCOM’s revenue for full-year 2025 was up 17.2% year-over-year, with operating margin reaching a 23% increase — the highest in 8 years. Key drivers: CEO,

  • Telia launches nationwide 5G SA in Norway
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on February 17, 2026 at 3:44 pm

    Telia is offering the service across its entire Norwegian footprint under the name Advanced 5G In sum – what to know: First nationwide SA 5G in Norway – Telia has launched commercial 5G SA across its full Norwegian footprint after completing its 5G rollout in 2024. Lower latency and network slicing – SA architecture reduces

  • Swisscom targets 60% FTTH coverage by end-2026: CEO
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on February 17, 2026 at 3:43 pm

    Swisscom plans to increase its FTTH coverage in Switzerland to 90% by the end of 2035 In sum – what to know: 60% by 2026 – FTTH coverage stood at 56% in 2025, with long-term targets of 75–80% by 2030 and about 90% by 2035. Italy fiber push accelerates – Swisscom’s subsidiary Fastweb + Vodafone

  • Ericsson spotlights updated RAN line-up with focus on uplink and AI optimisation
    on February 17, 2026 at 2:50 pm

    (Telecompaper) Ericsson is introducing its evolved RAN software and equipment line-up ahead of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona...

  • LaLiga, Telefonica win court backing to block VPNs
    on February 17, 2026 at 2:48 pm

    (Telecompaper) LaLiga said it has won court backing to block the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) that enable users to access to illegal football streams. Cordoba Commercial Court No...

  • Warner Bros to hold talks with Paramount ahead of vote on Netflix merger 20 March
    on February 17, 2026 at 1:47 pm

    (Telecompaper) Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has called a special meeting of shareholders on 20 March to vote on its merger agreed with Netflix...

  • Sateliot, PLD Space to launch first fully Spanish private space mission in 2027
    on February 17, 2026 at 11:02 am

    (Telecompaper) Spanish companies Sateliot and PLD Space have signed an agreement to launch two of Sateliot's new 5G Trito satellites aboard PLD's Miura 5 rocket, in...

  • A new era of humanoid robots
    by Sulagna Saha on February 13, 2026 at 9:43 pm

    Synopsys ramps up work around physical AI to help build adaptive machines capable of sensing and interacting with their physical environments The latest addition to AI’s book of lingo is physical AI, and it is already entering mainstream.  You may have heard Nvidia drumming it the loudest, but now long-time partner Synopsys is carrying the

  • AI in intent-based networking (IBN)
    by Christian de Looper on February 13, 2026 at 7:05 pm

    Imagine a network engineer typing “prioritize video traffic in downtown Seattle” into a console and having the system automatically translate that single sentence into thousands of command-line configuration changes across routers, switches, and firewalls. No memorizing vendor-specific syntax or manually SSH-ing into dozens of devices. That’s the pitch behind Intent-Based Networking (IBN) — a management paradigm where

  • Virgin Media O2 switches on 5G SA in Manchester
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on February 13, 2026 at 3:22 pm

    Virgin Media O2 said the Manchester deployment is part of a wider national plan to extend SA 5G to cities, towns, and transport routes In sum – what to know: 5G SA reaches Manchester region – O2 has launched 5G SA in Manchester and nearby towns, bringing the technology to more than 500 locations across

  • 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.