Operators are transforming their networks to provide advanced services and tackle network complexity. However, progress is uneven as operators develop various capabilities at different stages. We outline four common pathways and provide recommendations for operator peer groups.

Introduction to the operator profiles

Categorising operators into groups based on their maturity across the four pillars of transformation and automation makes it possible to create data-driven strategic recommendations for transformation that are cognisant of an operator’s existing capabilities and reflect where operationally similar peers have found success.

This report looks at the four transformation peer groups and provides:

• An overview of each group’s current situation, including transformation maturity, market and strategic priorities and any challenges they may face.
• A benchmark of their current technological transformation – see Figure 3 for an example.
• An outline of their transformation roadmap, including their key transformation question.
• Tailored recommendations to accelerate the transformations that will allow them to achieve their strategic objectives sooner.
• An estimate of their technological maturity in 2026, if the suggested recommendations are pursued.

The figure below is a guide for interpreting the profiles.

A guide for reading transformation profiles

Table of contents

• Executive summary
  • Phase 1
  • Phase 2
• Introduction to the operator profiles
  • 1. Early-stage transformers
  • 2. Data-first transformers
  • 3. Cloud-first transformers
  • 4. Fast-moving transformers
• Conclusions and recommendations
• Appendix
  • A. The next-generation maturity framework
  • B. Transformation milestones
  • C. The scores

Related research

• Achieving next-level network autonomy
• Generative AI: Why and how telcos should skill up for success?
• Inside the cloud-native telco
• Automation: Reaching full potential

Author

Ela Eren

Consultant

Ela Eren is a Consultant at STL Partners, specialising in sustainability and telco cloud.