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AI Pulse: Telecomโ€™s Next Frontier is a definitive guide to how AI is reshaping the telecom landscape โ€” strategically, structurally, and commercially. Spanning over 130 pages, this MWC 2025 special edition explores AIโ€™s growing maturity in telecom, offering a comprehensive look at the technologies and trends driving transformation.

Explore strategic AI pillarsโ€”from AI Ops and Edge AI to LLMs, AI-as-a-Service, and governanceโ€”and learn how telcos are building AI-native architectures and monetization models. Discover insights from 30+ global CxOs, unpacking shifts in leadership thinking around purpose, innovation, and competitive advantage.

The edition also examines connected industries at the intersection of Private 5G, AI, and Satelliteโ€”fueling transformation in smart manufacturing, mobility, fintech, ports, sports, and more. From fan engagement to digital finance, from smart cities to the industrial metaverse, this is the roadmap to telecomโ€™s next eraโ€”where intelligence is the new infrastructure, and telcos become the enablers of everything connected.
In The Gateway to a New Future, top global telecom leadersโ€”Marc Murtra (Telefรณnica), Vicki Brady (Telstra), Sunil Bharti Mittal (Airtel), Biao He (China Mobile), and Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer (Telenor)โ€”share bold visions for reshaping the industry. From digital sovereignty and regulatory reform in Europe, to AI-powered smart cities in China and fintech platforms in Africa, these executives reveal how telecom is evolving into a driving force of global innovation, inclusion, and collaboration. The telco of tomorrow is not just a networkโ€”itโ€™s a platform for economic and societal transformation.
Indiaโ€™s telecom sector is rapidly evolving with AI and automation enhancing network operations, customer service, and 5G deployment. With over 125 million 5G users and major investments from companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, AI technologies are proving essential for scalability and efficiency. Despite challenges like infrastructure integration and talent gaps, Indiaโ€™s growing AI ecosystem and government support are driving the future of smart telecom solutions.
Ericsson, Volvo Group, and Airtel have joined forces to explore how 5G Advanced, Digital Twin technology, and Extended Reality (XR) can transform manufacturing in India. The research, conducted at Volvoโ€™s R&D Centre in Bangalore, will focus on smart factories, immersive training, and real-time process optimization. With Airtelโ€™s low-latency 5G network, the collaboration aims to enhance industrial automation, workforce training, and AI-driven efficiencies, setting a benchmark for Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 innovations.
India approves 687 MHz of spectrum refarming to accelerate 5G rollout and lay the foundation for 6G services. This move increases total telecom spectrum to 1,587 MHz and addresses growing demands for mobile broadband, boosting innovations in edge computing and IoT while supporting telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea.
Airtel Business reports a rising demand for private 5G networks among Indian enterprises, with industries like manufacturing and logistics seeking automation and IoT capabilities. Alok Shukla, SVP of Airtel Business, emphasized how private 5G solutions enable efficient operations and support digital transformation. With infrastructure spanning urban and rural India, Airtel continues expanding its network, providing industry-specific applications through advanced technologies like network slicing and tailored IoT solutions.
BT Group is reportedly working with Citigroup on a potential sale of its financial services unit, Radianz. This move aligns with CEO Allison Kirkbyโ€™s plan to streamline BTโ€™s operations and reduce costs. Acquired from Reuters in 2005, Radianz generates annual earnings of ยฃ60-70 million and could be sold for a few hundred million pounds. Alongside this, BT is also considering sales of operations in Ireland and Italy as part of Kirkby’s restructuring strategy.
Bharti Enterprises has made a significant global expansion by acquiring a 24.5% stake in BT Group for $4 billion. This strategic investment positions Bharti as a key player in the European telecom market and aligns with BT’s focus on expanding its 5G and fiber networks. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Bharti’s chairman, emphasized that the company aims to support BT’s current leadership rather than take full control. This move reflects Bharti’s confidence in the UK’s telecom market and opens up new opportunities for collaboration in network automation, AI, and 5G technology.
Indian telecom operators are pushing for regulation of over-the-top (OTT) communication apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, arguing that the current regulatory framework is unfairly skewed. While telcos are subject to strict regulations and fees, OTT platforms operate with minimal oversight, despite offering similar services. This disparity has led to calls for a level playing field, with proposals including bringing OTT apps under telecom regulations and introducing a PAN-India single license for telcos. The debate also touches on net neutrality concerns and the potential impact on consumers and businesses, as any regulatory changes could affect the cost, availability, and innovation of communication services.
India’s telecom giants, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, have raised tariffs for the first time in three years to recover significant 5G investment costs. Jio’s and Airtel’s hikes range from 10% to 27%, while Vodafone Idea’s increases span 10% to 23%. This move aims to enhance ARPU and sector profitability, signaling a potential re-rating of the telecom sector.

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