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

  • Arista acquires VeloCloud SD-WAN business from Broadcom
    by Catherine Sbeglia Nin on July 2, 2025 at 4:16 pm

    Arista said the acquisition will better prepare it for next-generation SD-WAN demands as AI-driven data center traffic reshapes WAN requirements Arista Networks has agreed to acquire VMware’s former VeloCloud Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology from Broadcom, expanding its portfolio beyond traditional data center and campus networking into the WAN and branch markets. Broadcom came

  • Test and Measurement: Synopsys, says Ansys merger approval in China is at an ‘advanced stage’
    by Kelly Hill on July 2, 2025 at 4:04 pm

    Synopsys still has to win regulatory approval in China for its $35 billion acquisition of Ansys Synopys is getting closer to closing its $35 billion acquisition of engineering simulation and design software company Ansys, but it still needs to win regulatory approval in China for the transaction. “We have already received merger clearance in every

  • Alibaba Cloud expands AI infra investments in APAC
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on July 2, 2025 at 3:35 pm

    During its global summit, Alibaba Cloud also launched its first AI Global Competency Center (AIGCC) in Singapore In sum, what to know: AI center opens in Singapore – Alibaba Cloud launched its first AI Global Competency Center, aimed at supporting 5,000 businesses and training 100,000 developers annually with AI labs, models and industry-specific agents. New

  • Google Fiber, Nokia pilot network slicing for home broadband
    by Catherine Sbeglia Nin on July 2, 2025 at 3:26 pm

    Google Fiber noted the potential for “transactional slices” that would “spin up automatically, just for a few seconds” Google Fiber (GFiber) and Nokia have completed what Nick Saporito, director of product management at GFiber, described in a blog post as a “foundational test” of network slicing technology for residential broadband, aiming to deliver customized quality-of-service

  • Zain launches 5G-Advanced across Kuwait
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on July 2, 2025 at 3:04 pm

    Zain says its 5G-Advanced network will accommodate rising data demand, enable smart city services, and expand IoT capabilities across the country In sum, what to know: Nationwide 5G-Advanced – Zain launched Kuwait’s first 5G-Advanced network, offering high-speed coverage across most of the country to power smart cities, IoT and next-gen digital services. Aligned with Vision

  • Vodafone Idea to expand 5G to 23 new Indian cities
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on July 2, 2025 at 2:59 pm

    Vodafone Idea is currently using AI-powered self-organising networks (SON) to manage its infrastructure, and has partnered with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung for its network rollouts In sum, what to know: 5G reaches 23 more cities – Vodafone Idea is expanding its 5G footprint to 23 new Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Pune, and Trivandrum, building

  • EdgeMode and BAIF to merge on plans for AI infra expansion in Europe
    by Juan Pedro Tomás on July 2, 2025 at 2:54 pm

    EdgeMode said it expects the transaction to position the company for growth in the AI infrastructure field, leveraging its access to investment capital, M&A strategy and BAIF’s development pipeline In sum, what to know: Merger targets 4.4 GW pipeline – EdgeMode and BAIF will form a joint entity overseeing 4.4 GW of AI and HPC

  • AI in telecom – human oversight, and the shift from copilots to agents
    by James Blackman on July 2, 2025 at 2:39 pm

    Human-in-the-loop control is urgent as AI is unleashed on ever-more critical systems – and as it becomes more sophisticated with multi-modal generative AI and distributed agentic AI.  Human oversight – remains critical in AI telecom infrastructure, ensuring ethical compliance, reducing risk, and refining AI models to detect data drift. Multi-modal – the latest large-language models

  • Tampnet deploys private 5G on seven oil rigs for Aker BP, migrates 350 sites to Mavenir
    by James Blackman on July 2, 2025 at 2:02 pm

    Norway-based Tampnet, a notable player in offshore private 5G, has a major new multi-site gig with oil firm Aker BP, extending to seven installations in total, and a total core-network swap-out with US vendor Mavenir, across up to 350 offshore sites. In sum – what to know: North Sea private 5G – offshore network specialist

  • NBN Co says 48% of customers will demand 100+ Mbps by FY29
    on July 2, 2025 at 12:35 pm

    (Telecompaper) Australian government-owned broadband wholesaler NBN Co said its 'Accelerate Great' bandwidth boost and related marketing strategies are expected to...

  • French football league to sell own Ligue 1 channel from EUR 15/month
    on July 2, 2025 at 10:51 am

    (Telecompaper) France's football governing body, the LFP, has confirmed the upcoming launch of its own streaming subscription service to air Ligue 1 matches during the 2025–2026 season, starting on 15 August...

  • Nothing launches premium Phone (3) alongside first over-ear headphones
    on July 2, 2025 at 10:47 am

    (Telecompaper) Consumer electronics vendor Nothing announced it will begin taking pre-orders on 04 July for its "first true flagship smartphone", the Nothing Phone...

  • Oracle signs $30 billion-a-year cloud contract, amid explosive growth
    by Kelly Hill on July 2, 2025 at 3:44 am

    Oracle revealed news of another huge cloud contract, on top of accelerating growth Oracle has signed a cloud services contract worth $30 billion a year which will start hitting its books in fiscal year 2028, according to a company filing. In a fair disclosure filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Oracle said that CEO

  • Arista buys VeloCloud SD-WAN assets from Broadcom and unveils new network equipment
    on July 1, 2025 at 3:18 pm

    (Telecompaper) Arista Networks has paid an undisclosed sum to acquire the former VMWare SD-WAN subsidiary VeloCloud from Broadcom...

  • OQ kicks off Macsat 2.0 satellite project for direct-to-mobile 5G connectivity
    on July 1, 2025 at 12:55 pm

    (Telecompaper) OQ Technology, the Luxembourg-based satellite operator specialising in 5G connectivity from space, announced the signing of the contract for the...

  • EU call attracts 76 projects for AI gigafactories
    on July 1, 2025 at 7:01 am

    (Telecompaper) No less than 76 expressions of interest were filed in the European Commission's call for proposals to set up AI 'gigafactories' in the EU...

  • It’s Going to Take $3 Billion to Ensure Submarine Cable Repair Ships Can Keep the World Connected
    by TeleGeography Staff on June 30, 2025 at 3:48 pm

    A new report details what is needed to sustain current service levels and reduce repair delays for the undersea cables that carry global internet traffic.

  • Deutsche Telekom consolidates cloud offering under new T Cloud division
    on June 30, 2025 at 1:59 pm

    (Telecompaper) Deutsche Telekom and its subsidiary T-Systems are consolidating their cloud services offering under the new T Cloud division...

  • Ericsson marks launch of first India-built antenna targeting export markets
    on June 30, 2025 at 1:27 pm

    (Telecompaper) Ericsson has announced the launch of its first antenna produced using Indian manufacturing lines for export into overseas markets...

  • Virgin Media O2 buys spectrum from Vodafone for GBP 343 million
    on June 30, 2025 at 8:55 am

    (Telecompaper) Virgin Media O2 has announced a spectrum transfer deal with Vodafone UK worth GBP 343 million, following the merger of Vodafone UK and 3 UK...

  • Vodafone, AST pick Luxembourg as HQ for SatCo JV, expect to launch services in 2026
    on June 30, 2025 at 8:40 am

    (Telecompaper) Luxembourg has been selected as the headquarters for SatCo, the joint venture announced by Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile in early March...

  • Find the Right SD-WAN Vendor With Our Free 2025 Guide
    by bboudreau@telegeography.com (Brianna Boudreau) on June 23, 2025 at 3:05 pm

    It’s been almost a decade since SD-WAN burst onto the scene, and the service is undeniably a critical component of today’s enterprise WAN.  The core benefits associated with SD-WAN technology are consistent across all provider offerings—reduced cost and network complexity, ease of upgrades and policy changes, increased flexibility and network performance, and increased visibility into application performance. But a dizzying array of SD-WAN service options still remain in the market. Providers continue to add new service and security features to distinguish themselves in a crowded marketplace. And this multitude of different service options are reflected in the range of reported prices in the market. Luckily, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: TeleGeography’s 2025 SD-WAN Vendor Guide.

  • A Fistful of Dollars: The Cable Cowboy Ropes Cox Communications
    by tleins@telegeography.com (Tom Leins) on June 13, 2025 at 11:50 am

    In May, U.S. cable giants Charter Communications and Cox Communications entered into a definitive agreement to combine their businesses in a “transformative transaction” that will create an industry leader in the U.S. cable sector. 

  • 2G and 3G: Closing Time for Legacy Networks
    by pbell@telegeography.com (Pete Bell) on June 11, 2025 at 12:00 pm

    It’s been a couple of years since we reviewed the state of the 2G and 3G mobile markets to see how network closures were coming along. There has been plenty of activity since then, and 2025 is shaping up to be a busy year for shutdowns.

  • An FCC Commissioner Explains Spectrum Allocation + Broadband Expansion
    by gbryan@telegeography.com (Greg Bryan) on June 5, 2025 at 1:29 pm

    In this episode of the TeleGeography Explains the Internet podcast, FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington joins the show for a deep dive into the evolving world of spectrum allocation, broadband infrastructure, submarine cable policy, and cybersecurity. With a unique background in finance, law, and policy, Simington offers an interesting perspective on the complexities of the current telecom environment and where federal policy is headed.

  • Why Legacy Telecom Networks Are Giving Way to the Future
    by rschult@telegeography.com (Rob Schult) on June 4, 2025 at 2:28 pm

    “Everyone’s getting rid of it.” That’s how one carrier I spoke with described aging technologies like SONET/SDH and TDM. Another used the term “accelerated outphasing,” while a third opted for a simple “RIP.”

  • OceanIQ on Cable Faults, Climate Change, and Collaboration
    by jmiller@telegeography.com (Jayne Miller) on May 29, 2025 at 12:00 pm

    Can you stop a cable break before it happens? We know how and why cable faults occur, but could damage be mitigated beforehand?

  • The Key Trends Shaping Long-Haul Capacity Demand
    by jhjembo@telegeography.com (Jon Hjembo) on May 27, 2025 at 12:05 pm

    What's shaping the trajectory of the global bandwidth market? To answer that question, we identified four significant trends worth watching within our recently updated Transport Networks Research Service. To understand the future of long-haul capacity demand and pricing, bookmark these industry headlines. 

  • How Data Gravity is Shaping Top Connectivity Markets
    by jhjembo@telegeography.com (Jon Hjembo) on May 23, 2025 at 8:41 pm

    Which cities are the most connected, and which ones are the fastest growing for internet infrastructure? Every quarter, we assess the top 10 cities with our Market Connectivity Score—an interactive tool in our Data Center Research Service that tracks 45 different data points for every city: data center power, number of ASNs peering locally, cloud onramps, and more.

  • Customers Are Consuming More Bandwidth Than Ever: What That Means for Wholesale Pricing
    by bboudreau@telegeography.com (Brianna Boudreau) on May 20, 2025 at 12:05 pm

    New data from TeleGeography’s Transport Networks Research Service tells a story about changing bandwidth pricing trends, the factors that drive them, and what we might expect to see in the market. Here's what we know about wholesale pricing in 2025.

  • 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.