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
- How AI workloads are changing the rules of testing in data centersby Sulagna Saha on January 14, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Two modes of AI activity are pushing the limits of data center fabrics, driving the need for next-gen testing “Connectivity is becoming the lynchpin for AI scaling,” said Stephen Douglas, Head of Market Strategy, Spirent, at the recent RCR AI Infrastructure Forum. For years, the network fabric inside data centers were built for relatively predictable
- KPMG report: Telco CEOs expect to make money on AI in three yearsby Christian de Looper on January 14, 2026 at 6:32 pm
KPMG report highlights strong investment in agentic AI and education In sum – what we know: Telecom executives are placing major bets on AI paying off — and they’re not giving it much runway. KPMG’s 2025 Global Technology & Telecommunications CEO Outlook finds that 84% of industry leaders expect positive returns on their AI investments within
- Editorial Report: The expanding footprint of test and measurementby RCR Wireless News on January 14, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Test and measurement has, since the beginning, carried the weight of innovation, but has remained largely out of sight for the rest of the world. It has rightly been described, among other things, as the hidden layer that makes things work. Now, as we approach an era of technological advancement unlike anything we have seen
- IDC figures show Q4 smartphone volumes up over 2% as Apple, Samsung outgrow competitionon January 14, 2026 at 4:19 pm
(Telecompaper) A strong showing from market leaders Apple and Samsung fuelled by demand for premium handsets saw global Q4 smartphone shipments rise 2.3 percent...
- NEC exits 4G/5G base station marketby Juan Pedro Tomás on January 14, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Going forward, NEC plans to concentrate on equipment for defense-related and other specialized applications In sum – what to know: NEC exits 4G/5G development – The company will stop investing in base station R&D while continuing to support existing deployments. Competitive pressure intensifies – European and Chinese vendors dominate roughly 80% of the global RAN
- Chunghwa Telecom posts record revenue and profits in 2025by Juan Pedro Tomás on January 14, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Chunghwa Telecom reported that its FTTx subscribers reached 3.93 million as of the end of last year In sum – what to know: Record financial performance in 2025 – Revenue hit NT$236.11 billion, supported by steady telecom and ICT growth. Mobile and broadband drive momentum – Subscriber growth, 5G migration and higher-speed broadband packages lifted
- AI optics — Ciena catches sail on AI fibre waveby James Blackman on January 14, 2026 at 3:57 pm
The AI build-out is rewriting the fibre comms order-book – between data centres and within data centres, right down to the rack itself. As power constraints, scale-out architectures, and interconnect bottlenecks push fibre ever closer to the data-centre edge, optical networking specialist Ciena has emerged as one of the standard bearers for the whole shift.
- FWA keeps gaining ground — and operators are betting biggerby Catherine Sbeglia Nin on January 14, 2026 at 3:10 pm
A new report from Dell’Oro Group estimates that total FWA subscriptions will surpass 191 million by 2029 In sum – what to know: FWA growth holds – Dell’Oro expects total fixed wireless revenues to rise about 10% in 2025 as operators push further into broadband markets dominated by cable and DSL. 5G leads the market
- Free fined EUR 42 mln for failure to protect customer dataon January 14, 2026 at 3:09 pm
(Telecompaper) Free and Free Mobile, part of the Iliad group, have been fined EUR 15 million and EUR 27 million respectively for security failings that led to their databases being hacked in October 2024...
- The Rooftop Gold Rush: David Bacino on the Future of Wireless Real Estateby Carrie Charles on January 14, 2026 at 1:33 pm
In this episode, David Bacino, CEO of Symphony Towers and Operating Partner at Palistar Capital, shares a remarkable 40-year journey across the wireless ecosystem — from carrier-side operations to manufacturing, infrastructure ownership, and investment. His deep experience reveals how foundational towers and rooftops are to the wireless networks we use every day — and why
- Globe Telecom to launch Starlink direct-to-cell service in Philippines on 16 Januaryon January 14, 2026 at 12:15 pm
(Telecompaper) Philippines operator Globe Telecom has partnered with Starlink (SpaceX) to bring satellite Direct to Cell (DTC) connectivity to the Philippines...
- Samsung completes live vRAN call using Intel on US networkon January 14, 2026 at 5:42 am
(Telecompaper) Samsung Electronics has completed what it describes as the first commercial voice call using its virtualised radio access network running on Intel's...
- What is unequal modulation (UEQM) in Wi-Fi 8?by Catherine Sbeglia Nin on January 13, 2026 at 9:16 pm
With UEQM, stronger streams can use higher-order modulation, while weaker streams can fall back to more robust modulation Unequal modulation (UEQM) in Wi-Fi 8 refers to the ability to assign different modulation orders to different spatial streams in a Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) connection based on each stream’s individual signal quality. In previous generations of Wi-Fi,
- SoftBank turns to hybrid-powered base station in its net-zero pushby Sulagna Saha on January 13, 2026 at 8:48 pm
The operator is testing a hybrid-powered base station in Japan that offers a look at how operators can check carbon footprint without sacrificing service continuity Hybrid-powered base station: SoftBank is experimenting with a hybrid-powered base station that can significantly reduce base station emissions. Designed for disaster: The operator plans to use it during power outages
- Telefonica gives Movistar Spain subs free access to ChatGPT Pluson January 13, 2026 at 12:31 pm
(Telecompaper) Telefonica has signed a new deal with OpenAI to offer Movistar Spain customers the opportunity to use ChatGPT Plus free of charge for six months...
- Amphenol closes purchase of CommScope CCS assets, CommScope changes name to Vistanceon January 13, 2026 at 9:36 am
(Telecompaper) CommScope has completed its USD 10.5 billion divestment of its Connectivity and Cable Solutions (CCS) segment to Amphenol and will change the name of the remaining business to Vistance...
- NTT consortium forms company to build 320 Tbps Japan-Asia submarine cableon January 13, 2026 at 6:24 am
(Telecompaper) NTT Data Group, through NTT Limited Japan, has joined with Sumitomo and JA Mitsui Leasing to establish a new operating company to build and run a...
- Apple chooses Google's Gemini to power iPhone's Sirion January 13, 2026 at 6:13 am
(Telecompaper) Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration which will see the next generation of Apple Foundation Models based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology...
- Meta names board member Dina Powell McCormick as new president, vice-chairon January 12, 2026 at 3:31 pm
(Telecompaper) Meta is promoting board member Dina Powell McCormick to the role of president and vice-chair. Powell McCormick joined the board in April 2025 and...
- Ziggo refreshes branding in new ad campaignon January 12, 2026 at 12:22 pm
(Telecompaper) Dutch cable operator Ziggo is launching a new marketing campaign and brand positioning...
- What to Know About the Cloud and Data Centers in 2026by 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 Attendeesby 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 2026by 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 2026by 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 Eastby 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 Surveysby 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 Expertsby 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 Snapshotby 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 Infrastructureby 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.
- What’s Shaping Business Broadband Going into 2026by Maddy Peck on November 17, 2025 at 7:44 pm
What determines the cost of business broadband? The price depends on a variety of factors:
- AI-Powered Call Analytics: Leveraging Data for Business Insightsby 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 Securityby 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 Experiencesby 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 Businessesby 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 Overviewby 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 Communicationsby 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 Demoby 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 Dialersby 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 2024by 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 Telephonyby 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.








.png)











