Defining the future telco — and what it means for operators and their partners
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Will artificial intelligence, immersive services, automated transportation and robotics drive a substantial increase in telecom traffic between now and 2032?
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.
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.
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.
We surveyed seven advanced markets to deliver practical guidance for solution providers seeking to capitalise on the growing SMB cybersecurity trend.
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.
Ten years of private network deployments tracked in our global insights tool.
Telcos are pursuing a telecom techco vision to renew business models. This report explores how network cloud, automation and AI accelerate this transformation, with insights on scaling these technologies, impactful AI/automation use cases and the advantages of open source.
This report explores private network delivery models – on-premises, hybrid and network slicing. It also offers insights into deployment strategies, market opportunities and actionable recommendations for telcos to address diverse enterprise connectivity needs across industries.
In this report, we update our model of the financial value of adding AI, analytics and automation (A3) into a telco’s processes. This report focuses on the impact A3 can have in the BSS, channels, marketing and sales, and has a particular focus on the impact of new GenAI capabilities in these areas.
Edge computing is a key enabling technology for AI and GenAI applications, providing the local processing power and low-latency connectivity needed for real-time decision-making and data processing. This report looks at the trends in investments in edge computing companies – from edge data centres to platforms and applications – and the market outlook for 2025.
Our research focuses on how telcos and their partners can embrace industry disruption.
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