As telcos deploy more resilient and programmable networks, they could become key suppliers to armed forces. Dual-purpose tech solutions by telcos are valuable also to the population and civilian critical services during extreme weather events or energy blackouts, as much as during military conflict.
AI was again at the centre of MWC. But now telcos are focused on what they can practically achieve with AI rather than on boosting investor perception. Satellites, 5G standalone, sovereignty, security and quantum are other themes we noted in Barcelona.
In a market with a high volume of free consumer cyber security services and a number of consumer safety players offering premium digital life protections, how can telcos carve out an opportunity for themselves?