Innovation In Telecommunications

Vodafone just left the Netherlands. Italy. Spain. Three major European markets — out. The creation of Ziggo Group under Liberty Global this week isn't just another M&A headline. It's a pattern. The traditional "own everything" model for mobile operators is cracking under the weight of capex, competition, and compressing margins. And what I find genuinely interesting is this: when the big networks retreat, it doesn't shrink the market; it reshapes it. MVNOs, digital-first brands, and lean operators who've never needed to own a mast to deliver a brilliant customer experience suddenly have more room to move. This consolidation at the top creates space at every other level. Fewer MNO owners. More appetite for wholesale. More demand for agile, digital-first alternatives that can actually innovate on the customer relationship. I've been in this industry long enough to know that moments like this, when incumbents are restructuring, tend to be when challengers do their best work. The next 3 years could see more MVNO launches across Europe than the previous decade. The infrastructure is there. The market gaps are forming. The question is who's ready to move. What's your read on where European telecoms goes from here? #Telecoms #MVNO #DigitalTransformation #EuropeanTelecom #Connectivity

As an AI engineer, this is the kind of application of AI I find most interesting. Not in apps. But in infrastructure. Most telecom networks are still designed in a static way. Capacity is planned in advance, which works until real-world demand suddenly spikes, like at a railway station during peak hours or a stadium during a match. That is where Vodafone Idea Limited approach stands out. They are using an AI-powered Self-Optimizing Network that dynamically shifts capacity in real time to high-demand areas. And with Vi’s 5G footprint set to expand from 43 cities to 133 cities nationwide by May 2026, this is not just a concept on paper, but something being rolled out at scale. From a systems perspective, this is similar to autoscaling in distributed systems, but applied to telecom infrastructure. Instead of over-provisioning everything, the network keeps observing usage and reallocating resources where needed. We often talk about AI as a feature. But this is AI acting as a control system, quietly optimizing things in the background. And honestly, that is where AI creates the most impact, when it becomes invisible. #Vi5G #5GIndia #Vi #VodafoneIdea

Telco–GSI strategic partnerships are the blueprint for telco innovation and growth via the channel in the AI-era. Telco services delivered by GSIs will hit $43.2 billion in 2025, growing 4.8% y/y according to Canalys (part of Omdia) analysts Devan Adams and Peter Bryant. Driving this growth are enterprise edge services with 19.3% (telco) and 17.2% (GSI) five-year CAGRs. These strong alliances play a vital role in midmarket and enterprise service deliveries across key growth areas like 5G, cloud, edge computing, and AI (generative and agentic AI). Co-development of industry-specific solutions along with joint innovation labs for 5G, edge, and AI use cases, combined with collaborative GTM strategies are driving growth. While telcos deliver core connectivity, edge compute, and managed services, GSIs provide cloud migration, OSS/BSS modernization, additional IT managed services and AI. The blueprint: —> To accelerate growth (which has been lagging), telcos must use key learnings and best practices from their GSI partnerships across their entire channel ecosystem: —> Co-innovating and co-creation with a wide aperture of partners to build differentiated solutions —> Co-selling to expand reach and win complex enterprise deals. Telcos need to step up their marketplace game with over $460 billion of enterprise commitments there for the taking. —> Co-marketing to amplify brand and solution awareness Follow (or meet with) Devan and Peter to get access to this research and dig a level deeper!

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 77.5 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐛𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐲 2027? This explosion of data presents both a challenge and a massive opportunity for telecommunication companies. But are they equipped to handle it? The telecommunications industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Why should you care? Because this transformation impacts how we connect, communicate, and experience the digital world. A recent study showed that poor network performance can lead to a 30% increase in customer churn. 👉 In today's hyper-connected world, customer expectations are higher than ever, and telcos need to leverage data to stay ahead of the curve. 👉 Traditional data management systems struggle to keep pace with the sheer volume, velocity, and variety of data generated by modern telecom networks. Sifting through massive datasets to gain actionable insights is like finding a needle in a haystack. 👉 This makes it difficult to optimize network performance, personalize customer experiences, and develop innovative new services. Telcos need a new approach to data management to unlock the true potential of their data. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? 👉 Deutsche Telekom, one of the world's leading telecommunications providers, is leading the charge by designing the telco of tomorrow with BigQuery. 👉 By leveraging BigQuery's powerful data warehousing and analytics capabilities, Deutsche Telekom is able to ingest and analyze massive datasets in real time. This enables them to gain valuable insights into network performance, customer behavior, and market trends. 👉 They can now proactively identify and resolve network issues, personalize offers and services for individual customers, and develop new revenue streams. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 👉 Real-time Insights: BigQuery enables real-time analysis of massive datasets, allowing telcos to react quickly to changing network conditions & customer needs. 👉 Improved Customer Experience: By understanding customer behavior and preferences, telcos can personalize services and offers, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. 👉 Innovation & Growth: Access to rich data insights empowers telcos to develop innovative new services & explore new business models. 👉 Scalability & Flexibility: Cloud-based solutions like BigQuery offer the scalability and flexibility needed to handle the ever-growing data demands of the telecommunications industry. This journey highlights the transformative power of data in the telecommunications industry. By embracing cloud-based data solutions, telcos can unlock valuable insights, improve customer experiences & drive innovation. The future of telecom is data-driven, and companies that embrace this reality will be the leaders of tomorrow. Follow Omkar Sawant for more. #telecommunications #bigdata #cloud #digitaltransformation #datanalytics

Voice communication is evolving far beyond simply “better call quality.” Today, technologies like EVS (Enhanced Voice Services) and IVAS (Immersive Voice and Audio Services) are helping shape a new era of digital experiences across 5G, 5G-A — and soon 6G. We’re moving toward: • clearer and more natural voice interactions • lower latency communications • immersive spatial audio experiences • smarter collaboration across devices and platforms What many people don’t see is the innovation ecosystem working behind the scenes — especially around SEPs (Standard-Essential Patents), collaborative licensing models, and advanced voice codec technologies. A recent announcement from Via Licensing Alliance highlights how the Voice Codec ecosystem continues to evolve, with expanded participation, new licensors and increased transparency in licensing structures. In this video, I share why this matters not only for the telecom industry, but also for the future of connectivity, AI-driven interactions, immersive experiences, and digital communication as a whole. Because the future of communication will not only be faster — but also more immersive, intelligent, and human-centric. Explore more > https://bit.ly/3PWIobt In partnership with Huawei

📊 Neobanks, eSIMs & Telecom: Is this the differentiator challenger apps need to take on the top dogs? 📊 🌐📡 There’s been a trend coming up wrt to fintechs especially global neobanks. They've ventured into offering mobile network services (MNO) to the end customer, by becoming a network, or offering SIM management services through the app ❓How? Through eSIMs, and Telecom as a Service (TaaS) players. Which allow consumer apps to integrate with / operate as MVNOs. But what are these? 🚀 eSIM: Chip soldered on device motherboard. Handles multiple profiles through remote mgmt. So, no need to swap out SIMs. All major MNOs & device manufacturers now provide eSIM services 🚀 MVNO: Mobile Virtual Network Operator; aka a MNO that doesn’t have physical infra, but leases capacity from MNO’s that do. It sells plans under its own branding. Ex: GoogleFi, operates as a MVNO, and leverages T-Mobile infra in the US 🚀 TaaS: Tech allowing apps to enable eSIM activation & mgmt, or become a MVNO, through APIs. It leases infra, integrates with MNOs, and then passes this on to MVNO hopefuls. Ex of TaaS is Gigs. It raised $73M in ‘24.NuBank, Bunq, Grab, are all integrated with Gig. Note: A key investor in Gigs is Ribbit Capital (fintech focused fund), further suggesting fintech & telecom synergies 🌐📡 Historically MNOs have gotten into fintech. Ex: Airtel -> Pmts bank & app. Vodafone -> MPesa. NTT Docomo -> Pmt app. But now the reverse has started. Key players: ✅ Nubank: travel eSIM using Gigs, NuCel (MVNO) using Claro (Brazil MNO) ✅ Bunq: eSIM services using Gigs  ✅ Revolut: Partnered with 1Global (MVNO), to provide eSIM services ✅ Zolve: Zolve Connect (MVNO) using Gigs ✅ Grab: eSIM services using Gigs ✅ Google: Consumer play launch in '11. GoogleFi (MVNO) in '17 ❓But why? I’d compare telecom to banking. It’s something used everyday, but not very customer first. It’s a problem that needs solving 🌐📡 For fintechs: Telecom is a CX play, and sticky opportunity 1️⃣ Everyone is trying to be a super app, and offer credit / rewards as a hook, which isn’t tough to do. But if through the app, I can activate a new SIM / network, or buy a local plan when travelling internationally that's a differentiator. It’s convenient and cheap. And a stickier app. That’s what fintechs are betting on 2️⃣ Auth is important in consumer fintechs. There’s a RBI push to move away from OTP auth. Ex is Silent Mobile Verification (SMV), which authenticates the number using mobile data, no OTP needed (through MNO aggregators, ex: BureauID, Sekura). It’s faster AND more secure. If a fintech operates as a MVNO, or has a play here, it can make auth faster, secure & increase SR 🌐📡 Globally, I expect this trend of fintechs ->  MNO services to continue. In India, this still may take a while. Providing eSIM services could be a good start. And this could give challenger apps an edge, to challenge the top dogs To read the deep dive & analysis, click here: https://tinyurl.com/yckuh2

It’s always inspiring to see how the right tools can empower our customers to overcome challenges and thrive in the toughest situations. Today, I want to share a story from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, that really stands out to me. During the pandemic, Delaware County needed a reliable way to stay connected with its 575,000 constituents and keep critical operations running. They partnered with RingCentral to implement a new communications system that allowed them to handle thousands of calls daily and support their community at a crucial time. Before the switch, unanswered calls were a common frustration. But with the new system’s reporting tools, the county could track every call and ensure nothing slipped through the cracks. That seemingly simple change made a big difference—improving service and helping them stay on course during a time when it mattered most. Seeing Delaware County’s journey reminds me of how powerful the right technology can be when it’s implemented thoughtfully. I’m excited to see how the RingCentral team can continue working with them to elevate their constituent services and make an even greater impact in their community. I’ll include the link to the full case study in the comments below.

Is the MVNO business becoming more attractive? I am seeing a general trend where MVNOs are no longer just low-cost resellers—they’re becoming innovation hubs and value enablers. Here's a snapshot of some interesting things I am witnessing: 1️⃣ Hyper-Niche Market Strategies MVNOs are carving out success by going hyper-niche—serving specific communities, such as expatriates, gamers, seniors, or environmentally conscious users—with tailored plans, languages, and brand messaging. 🎯 Over 65% of new MVNO entrants in the last 2 years have targeted niche segments (Analysys Mason). Relevance beats reach. 2️⃣ eSIM & Digital-First Experiences With eSIM adoption on the rise, MVNOs are moving away from physical SIMs and enabling instant onboarding through apps. This is transforming how users activate and manage mobile plans—no (or less) stores, less delays. 3️⃣ Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) MVNOs 🧱Some MVNOs are shifting from being consumer-focused brands to becoming enablers—offering their tech stacks to help others launch telecom services, fast and cost-effectively. This enables rapid go-to-market for new digital brands, fintechs, and IoT ventures embedding mobile into their offerings. 4️⃣ Other target opportunities 🏭 Think B2B opportunities, private 5G networks for enterprises, and IoT connectivity as differentiators in a saturated market. 🚀 The result? A more agile, diversified, and digitally-native MVNO sector. 👥 Curious to hear from others in the space—what trends are you watching?  Stephanie Ormston Elizabeth Hunter Adil Belihomji Ken Willner image source: telecoms dot com #5g #telecom #MVNO #networks #telcos #eSIM #MobileIndustry #VPspeak [^530]

Telco in 20’s best episode of 2025 has dropped! 🎉 We had incredible conversations this year—Vodafone’s Dr. Lester Thomas on cloud transformation, Telstra’s Mark Sanders on autonomous networks, and Telefónica Germany’s Mallik Rao on the first brownfield 5G core migration to AWS. But one episode made listeners stop and lean in—my conversation with Gabriela Styf Sjöman, Managing Director of Research and Network Strategy at BT Group. Gabriela didn’t mince words: Network teams are consumed by tech specs when they should be focused on business outcomes. That has to change. Her framework for technology decisions? Ask yourself two questions: does the change help us make money or does it help us save money? We dove into BT’s dual AI strategy, why “best network” marketing is dead, and the massive cultural shift telcos need to make to stop being network-centric and start being subscriber-centric. This isn’t about better technology. It’s about becoming a more successful telco. Network teams need to focus on the customer experience as much as network uptime. 2026 is the year for telcos to embrace commercial transformation that drives real value. Listen now—link in comments. #telecommunications #leadership #innovation

Telecom Sector Update: October 2025 - Rapid Transformation: The global telecom industry is experiencing a dynamic shift, with AI, automation, and cloud-native networks driving innovation and operational efficiency. The move to 5G and even early steps towards 6G are enabling new business models, especially with private networks for enterprises and advanced IoT deployments. - Market Headlines: Telecom companies worldwide are reporting revenue growth (4.3% to $1.14 trillion globally), with India standing out for network expansion and rural connectivity efforts. Notably, India has reached 75% of its "100% telecom saturation" mission, consolidating leadership through massive investments in infrastructure. - Financial Trends: Operators are under pressure to raise mobile tariffs as investment in network technology outpaces revenue in highly competitive markets. Yet, telecom stocks remain attractive due to their stable, recurring income bolstered by fiber and 5G rollouts. - Leading Indicators:     - Subscriber Base: India remains the world's second-largest telecom market with over 1.2 billion subscribers, and nearly 996 million broadband users as of September 2025.   - Data Trends: Monthly data usage per user leads globally, powered by surging demands for video, gaming, AR/VR, and AI-driven services.   - Network Expansion: Accelerated rollout of 4G densification, fiberization for 5G backhaul, and new broadband growth in tier-2/3 towns are significant.   - Policy Developments: New cybersecurity rules, spectrum auctions, and Digital India policy pushes are shaping the regulatory landscape. - Tech and Business Evolution:     - AI Adoption: Over half of telecom companies have implemented AI at scale, with another 37% actively scaling up. Generative AI is cited as a long-term growth engine by 65% of Indian CXOs.   - Cloud and Edge: Cloud-native networks are the new normal, boosting agility, service assurance, and digital transformation for enterprise customers.   - Sustainability: Green networks and sustainable business practices are coming to the forefront, as the sector aligns with global environmental goals. - Risks & Outlook: Key risks for 2025 include regulatory shifts, cybersecurity threats, and adapting to new business models and spectrum management. Market analysts expect telecom's robust performance to continue fueling a bull run in Indian equities. Conclusion:   The telecom sector is at a crossroads—technology, investment, and sustainability are shaping its future. Markets like India, Turkey, Europe, and North America stand out for innovation and growth. Forward-looking indicators such as rural adoption, ARPU increases, swift 5G rollout, fiber penetration, and strategic AI deployment will point the way ahead. #TelecomTrends #5G #6G #AIinTelecom #DigitalIndia #TelecomNews #IndustryInsights #Connectivity #NetworkInnovation