Networks for AI: Segmenting the growth
AI will create large potential opportunities for telcos in connectivity and use case enablement. But telcos must manage expectations and prioritise their investments carefully.
Research
Defining the future telco — and what it means for operators and their partners
Edge computing market sizing forecast: Fourth release
This report outlines the main findings of our latest quantitative research on the global demand for edge computing services towards 2030. We identify the total revenue across the value chain and explore the growing demand for network, regional and on-premises edge across 20 use cases and 16 verticals globally.
Preventing multimillion dollar data centre losses through reporting
This report assesses the impacts of delays in data centre construction on operational financial metrics, budget and internal rate of return, and examines the role of effective reporting in ensuring on-time delivery.
Cybersecurity: What do small and medium businesses in Saudi Arabia need?
We recently surveyed 104 SMBs in Saudi Arabia to understand this market and help cybersecurity solution providers address the Saudi opportunity. It follows a survey in seven other markets (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the UK and the US) executed in late 2024.
5G: The next phase
The range of optional additional features in 5G has expanded massively since previous generations. This report covers the technology, use cases and timelines for six of the less-discussed domains of 5G evolution – RedCap, sidelink, URLLC and time-sensitive networking, drone connectivity, precise positioning and real-time communication.
MWC 2025: A tech show, not a telecom one
It was no surprise that AI dominated MWC this year. But there were lots of other notable trends on the rise – including cybersecurity and data centres – and some that were disappointingly overlooked. Find out what the STL Partners team saw and missed at MWC 2025.
Autonomous networks: The role of multi-agent systems
The development of agents underpinned by data and knowledge assets looks set to be a major challenge for telcos. It may take up to ten years for telcos to truly master agents, but they will be key to the realisation of fully autonomous networks.
Digital twins: Accelerating progress towards autonomous networks
Trusted intelligence is crucial for operators in progressing to Level 4+
autonomous networks. This research explores the role of digital twins, agentic AI and operator knowledge in achieving trusted intelligence.
The journey to a self-healing network: Intelligence, agents and complexity
As the deployment of AI/ML ramps up, telcos need to develop an ‘intelligence architecture’, supporting the move towards Level 4 and 5 in the TM Forum’s Autonomous Network Framework. How will such an intelligent architecture support the self-healing network?
AI: Good or bad for sustainability?
As AI’s energy consumption rises, so do sustainability concerns. This report explores why this technology is so power-intensive, how to mitigate its impact and whether it can help reduce emissions. It also examines four possible scenarios for future energy consumption – from unchecked growth to greater efficiency – and their sustainability implications.
Telecom traffic: Heading for the fast lane?
Will artificial intelligence, immersive services, automated transportation and robotics drive a substantial increase in telecom traffic between now and 2032?
External pressures shaping the edge AI landscape
In light of the fast-evolving climate surrounding edge AI, we take stock of the upside and the downside risks that may move the needle on our recent Edge AI market forecast.
Cybersecurity for small and medium businesses: Survey highlights
A strategic overview of our small and medium business survey results intended to deliver guidance for solution providers seeking to capitalise on the growing SMB cybersecurity trend.
Simplifying NaaS for easier enterprise consumption: Capturing the USD100bn opportunity
Enterprise demand for network-as-a-service should be the catalyst for telcos to embrace the platform mindset. This report acts as a practical guide for telecom operators looking to capture opportunities with new B2B NaaS services.
Cybersecurity: What do small and medium businesses need?
We surveyed seven advanced markets to deliver practical guidance for solution providers seeking to capitalise on the growing SMB cybersecurity trend.
Edge AI market forecast: The USD157 billion opportunity
The huge wave of AI has accelerated demand for cloud, but it has also triggered questions on whether deploying in centralised environments is always suitable, or if enterprises should instead consider the edge. Our edge AI forecast identifies the value of this opportunity, pointing to the use cases and the verticals that are driving growth, and determining the extent to which AI will stimulate more revenue at the edge.
Private networks: Trends in commercial deployments
Ten years of private network deployments tracked in our global insights tool.
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