According to recent reports from Omdia – a global technology research and advisory group, and Network X research partner – there are several overarching themes emerging across the telecommunications landscape presenting new challenges, driving innovation, and helping to shape the future of connectivity. 

The rise of AI

After transitioning into part of a cultural zeitgeist, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted the telco sector. Data from Omdia’s ‘State of Play in AI in Telecoms’ report released in February found that nearly a third (32%) of CSPs are investigating AI technology and use cases, while just over a fifth (21%) of survey respondents are trialling AI in at least one business function or unit. Meanwhile, slightly fewer respondents (19%) had live deployments of AI across at least one business function or unit.

Overall, the results suggest that while AI scenario within telecoms is maturing somewhat, the market is still relatively in its early days. As the report notes, while live deployments are an “encouraging indicator”, the scaling deployments are likely a more useful indicator of success in the market, as they suggest a confidence in the technology.

The topic of AI will be prevalent throughout the Network X conference programme. For example, the panel session, ‘Creating RAN efficiency with AI and Automation’ will explore how AI technologies can be leveraged to optimise resources, reduce latency and improve the user experience.

Meanwhile, the Fireside Chat, ‘Repositioning Telco in the AI industry to capitalise on its prominence’ will discuss the latest AI developments, timelines for the telco LLM, and benefits for both internal operations and the end user.  

Charting the course for 6G

With a commercial launch expected around 2030, the development of 6G remains a key focus for many organisations within the telco industry. Omdia’s report, ‘Global 6G Development is Entering a New Stage’ details some of the biggest considerations for the global telco community throughout this development period.

The report suggests that the development of global 6G is passing a key milestone in the process as relevant parties are preparing their plans for the introduction of the technology. The research details that some technologies have been broadly recognised by both industry experts and prevalent academics as candidate technologies for 6G. Meanwhile, further actions are still required to build an industry consensus, being mindful to manage to risk of industry fragmentation throughout.

The development of 6G will be another key theme reflected in the speaker sessions and panel discussion at the event. For instance, the panel session, ‘Shifting emphasis towards features and capabilities to drive up monetisation of the next G’, will cover how to drive consensus and collaboration for a harmonised 6G standard – an important consideration for the industry.

Telco profits from OTTs

The need for telcos to capture a greater share of the value generated by Over-the-Top (OTT) services remains a pressing issue in the industry. Another report released by Omdia, ‘Telcos take another stab at profiting from OTTs via cross-network APIs’ explores these issues in detail, sharing how recent industry events have highlighted renewed efforts to explore solutions like network APIs, carrier billing, and innovative bundling strategies.

One approach gaining traction is the use of standardised network APIs. These APIs would provide OTTs with a simplified way to access various telco network resources, such as user authentication, location data, and even edge computing capabilities. However, concerns remain about the success of such initiatives, given past attempts like OneAPI haven't achieved widespread adoption.

Carrier billing, where users pay for OTT services through their mobile phone bill, continues to be explored as a potential revenue stream. However, established aggregators who already provide this service express confidence in their value proposition, which goes beyond just network connectivity.

In line with these industry issues, Network X will explore the topic in detail and the potential solutions which could unlock new revenue streams for telcos. The Operator Keynote session, ‘How to ensure telco APIs will truly drive new revenues’ is just one example, covering the business case to deploy, scale and continually invest in API capabilities.

Sam Oakley, Senior Portfolio Director at Informa Tech, commented: “The insights revealed in these reports reflect some of the themes that will be explored in depth at this year’s event. Network X strives to be a hub for experts to come together to discuss some of the most prominent and emerging trends and challenges facing the telecoms industry.”

Dario Talmesio, Research Director, Service Provider Strategy & Regulation at Informa Tech, commented: “It’s an exciting time for the industry. With milestones in areas such as network APIs, the development of 6G and the deployment of AI by telcos, we find ourselves at a crossroads. With an ever-evolving set of technologies and tools at their disposal, telcos must seize this opportunity to redefine their role within the digital ecosystem. Network X 2024 provides a vital platform for industry leaders to connect, share best practices, and explore how new technologies can be harnessed to unlock the full potential of connectivity for both businesses and consumers."