The convergence between telecoms and technology is having a significant impact on the enterprise market, as providers turn to connectivity solutions such as 5G to empower tech transformations, like AI. This was clear at the recent Mobile World Congress 2025, where more than 100,000 industry figures gathered in Barcelona to discuss telecoms, AI, IoT and […]
The convergence between telecoms and technology is having a significant impact on the enterprise market, as providers turn to connectivity solutions such as 5G to empower tech transformations, like AI.
This was clear at the recent Mobile World Congress 2025, where more than 100,000 industry figures gathered in Barcelona to discuss telecoms, AI, IoT and more.
But telecoms operators aren’t expanding their horizons just to increase revenue models: their enterprise customers are also demanding more from their service providers.
According to a recent report from French IT consulting service Capgemini, over half of B2B organisations want their telco to contribute to more innovation. Two in three business customers expect operators to orchestrate a “technology ecosystem”, seeking out solutions that help them implement deep technologies while keeping their data secure.
The big consultancy firms, Capgemini included, are playing a key role in helping both their enterprise customers and their telco partners bridge this technology gap.
The role of AI in telecoms
“If I were a telecom leader, whether a network vendor or an application provider, and I wanted to implement AI, where would I start?” asks Stéphane Remy, VP of terrestrial networks and enterprise communications at Cambridge Consultants, the deep tech arm of Capgemini. “Do I focus on generative AI, agentic AI, or artificial general intelligence? And even within AI, what capabilities do I need?” he adds. “It’s a complex challenge.”
Remy points out that connectivity improvements have significantly advanced over the past decade.
“It’s essential for companies to understand their direction and ensure they’re maximising their investments.”
According to Cambridge Consultants, telecom providers must begin investing in deep technologies now to secure long-term growth. Key areas for investment include human augmentation through AI, increased network autonomy, non-terrestrial networks, advanced computing, and next-generation radio networks.
“Autonomous networks gained significant momentum last year, focusing on operational efficiency and network performance,” Remy notes. “If you can reduce capital expenditure (CapEx) while improving your Net Promoter Score (NPS), it’s a win for shareholders and customers alike.”
He adds that most operators are currently at level 2 or 3 of network autonomy, with level 2 comparable to Tesla’s autopilot on the motorway. In telecom terms, this could involve automatic traffic routing or the automation of operational tasks.
“It’s about helping clients understand where AI can assist, while also acknowledging that AI isn’t the answer to every problem.”
Meanwhile, Jay Persaud, global emerging technology ecosystem leader at EY, points out that while telecom companies have not traditionally been innovators, they hold a unique advantage: their wealth of customer relationships.
“They serve both consumers and businesses… with the right technologies, they could achieve so much more, including with agentic AI.”
“Telecoms have the data gateways, but they need to get organised,” Persaud says. “They could become major players in this space.”
Human-machine collaboration
As telecoms embrace AI and automation, balancing human and machine collaboration remains a key consideration. Both Persaud and Remy stress that AI cannot be relied upon entirely in all contexts.
“Humans and machines work best together,” Persaud says. “AI alone can’t always be trusted.”
He explains that combining AI with human oversight enhances decision-making, particularly in high-stakes environments like military or critical infrastructure operations.
“It’s about building trust gradually. We won’t transition from level 0 to a fully autonomous network overnight, just as self-driving cars didn’t emerge instantly.”
For now, it’s clear that the future of telecoms lies in finding a balance between innovation, sustainability, and trust. With advances in AI, 6G, and beyond, telecom providers must continue investing in cutting-edge technologies while prioritising customer relationships and operational integrity.
6G and a sustainable future
As telcos embrace these advances, AI continues to play a central role, but the industry is also looking beyond connectivity.
A primary focus is the evolution of radio technologies in next-generation networks, particularly with the advent of 6G.
“We’re exploring how smart cities, advanced MIMO, and higher frequencies can support the next generation of networks,” Remy explains. “Technologies like AI, advanced computing, and complex phased arrays will be critical for enabling non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and will play a major role in 6G.”
Although 6G is still in development, with specifications already being considered by industry bodies, groundwork for this leap in connectivity is already underway. These new architectures promise to bring greater efficiency and flexibility to operators—key elements for scaling networks effectively.
Sustainability remains a top concern, especially with the significant energy demands of telecom operations. Innovations in AI, such as reinforcement learning and agentic AI, are aimed at improving efficiency while reducing power consumption.
“We’re striving for solutions that perform well without increasing energy usage,” Remy adds. “This supports both operational performance and sustainability.”
Looking ahead
Remy predicts that interest in AI applications in networks will continue to grow, driven by demand from enterprises. He expects next year’s Mobile World Congress to see an even greater emphasis on this area.
“The conversation will shift towards global, sustainable coverage, and 6G technologies will continue to evolve as specifications are finalised,” he says. “Operators will explore how new technologies can help them achieve better performance and efficiency.”
Read more: 2025 Informed: the year ahead for telecoms
