The telecoms industry never takes a rest, therefore more advancement and transformation is expected in 2025. We have done some digging around, seeking articles from industry leaders sharing their predictions.
2025: Space, AI, 6G and Cyber Security
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A new era of space-based connectivity
Satellite technology is poised to play a critical role in bridging the digital divide. Ivo Ivanov, CEO at DE-CIX, described its potential: “Satellite transmission technology offers new hope from space for the billions of people that are disadvantaged today because of limited or non-existent access to the Internet.”
The global space economy is expected to grow exponentially, with figures from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey estimating a valuation of $1.3 trillion by 2035, compared to $630 billion in 2023.
Dr Thomas King, CTO at DE-CIX, highlighted the role of space in enabling a fast-evolving digital future: “That’s why 2025 will see the Internet space race heating up. A race that only Internet exchanges can really get going, by exchanging data packets with minimal latency across all interconnected platforms.”
Standards, open architectures, and APIs were noted by King as critical enablers for “tomorrow’s network,” ensuring that modern systems remain interoperable and intelligent.
5G Advanced and the path to 6G
With the global roll-out of 5G Advanced in 2025, telecoms are already gearing up for the advent of 6G and its transformative potential.
“6G will not only be up to 100 times faster than 5G, but it will also integrate AI to secure, manage, and control networks. This level of intelligence will be needed in all connectivity technologies to manage future AI-driven data flows,” added King.
AI is expected to be omnipresent in telecoms, driving operational and technological efficiencies at every level.
“Smart value creation demands equally smart technologies. AI not only offers support for more intelligent network management, but for operational excellence in all areas of the telecommunications industry,” commented Ivanov.
“From network optimisation to energy efficiency, to fraud detection, and customer service, smart solutions can enhance every single business process.”
AI-native networks
Matt Anderson, Head of Telecom Industry Solutions at Google Cloud, outlined the shift from cloud-native to AI-native networks: “Telcos have embraced cloud-native networks for operational cost savings. The next frontier is AI-native networks—systems that leverage gen AI for full automation.
“This moves beyond event-driven operations to machine-driven processes.”
Anderson noted that these networks not only promise lower costs but also better scalability and responsiveness. From anticipating customer requirements to dynamic network optimisation, AI-native networks “turn a traditionally cost-intensive asset into a competitive differentiator.”
By providing open network APIs to developers, telcos can unlock innovation and offer a wealth of new enterprise services. Initiatives such as the Open Gateway Initiative (OGI) and Camara API standards aim to make these opportunities scalable and deployable across carriers.
“In 2025, we expect this ecosystem to gain traction, spurred by gen AI,” said Anderson, with the potential to transform industries like healthcare and logistics.
Channel opportunity: Trust, simplicity, and connectivity
Gavin Jones, Channel Director at BT Wholesale, expects 2025 to be a breakthrough year for channel partners—driven by customer demand for simplicity and connectivity improvements.
Citing BT Wholesale research, Jones noted that 65% of employees desire faster connectivity, while 70% prioritise uptime. However, fewer IT decision-makers view the move to all-IP networks as a pressing need, highlighting the importance of communicating the benefits of digital networks.
“In a hybrid working world, unified-communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) is set to transform collaboration,” said Jones, with efficiency and simplicity standing out as primary demands from IT leaders.
However, only 49% of organisations currently use UCaaS platforms, leaving a significant opportunity for channel partners to demonstrate their value. Growth in the channel will also depend on integrating sustainability and diversity.
“The channel is making good progress to become more inclusive and sustainable,” said Jones, “but in 2025, it’s time to truly champion allyship and make lasting change.”
Cybersecurity and resilience
Cyber threats continue to evolve, demanding greater integration of security strategies within organisations, particularly for telecoms providers.
John Hughes, SVP at Enea, explained: “Cybersecurity will become even more integrated into broader organisational strategies in 2025, especially as cybersecurity becomes a boardroom priority.”
From mobile fraud to advanced AI-powered hacking techniques, the telecoms sector faces significant risks. The stakes are high for telecom providers, particularly concerning national infrastructure and customer data.
“Security budgets are expected to increase as businesses recognise the financial and reputational costs of underinvesting in cybersecurity,” adds Enea.
Shifting from reactive defences to proactive resilience will define successful cybersecurity approaches in 2025.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just an operational issue; it’s now a core pillar of business success,” Hughes concludes.
Private networks and slicing
The adoption of private 5G networks is accelerating, with the market predicted to reach $6.4 billion by 2026.
Sandeep Raithatha, Head of Strategy, Innovation & 5G IoT Products at Virgin Media O2 Business, pointed to the growing uptake across industries like manufacturing, healthcare, education, and smart cities.
“Standalone private 5G networks are expected to capture 40% ($2.8 billion) of investments,” he noted.
Network slicing – enabled by 5G standalone architecture – represents the next evolution, allowing multiple virtual networks to operate on a shared physical infrastructure. This approach will deliver cost-effective, scalable connectivity tailored to diverse business needs.
Circular economy: Addressing sustainability
As pressure mounts to hit sustainability targets, telecom operators are turning their focus towards the circular economy.
According to David Evans, Head of Asset Recovery & Services at TXO: “Almost every major telecom operator across Europe and the US has committed to specific sustainability targets, such as reducing carbon emissions and adopting circular practices for their network hardware.”
Despite progress in recycling and reselling old equipment, adoption of refurbished hardware remains low—an essential step towards a circular telecoms ecosystem, Evans said. However, it poses a challenge for OEMs whose traditional revenue models rely on selling new equipment.
Expansion of eSIM adoption
One of the most consumer-visible trends in 2025 will be the increasing adoption of eSIMs (embedded SIMs).
“I’m convinced eSIMs will start approaching critical mass in the consumer market next year,” commented Gabriel Salvate, Head of Customer Solutions at BICS.
Offering customers seamless international roaming and greater control over data usage, travel eSIM packages are already being adopted by vendors and retailers.
According to Salvate, the impact on traditional roaming revenues and customer loyalty could be profound—pushing telcos to unveil competitive new eSIM offerings to keep pace.
Next-generation infrastructure
Submarine networks and terrestrial fibre deployments will form the backbone of emerging high-speed connectivity.
Roary Stasko, CEO at Telstra International, noted growing investment in submarine network infrastructure across key Indo-Pacific hubs, with the Philippines representing a rising connectivity hub.
Australia, meanwhile, faces challenges due to the energy demands of data centres. Stasko highlighted that data centres are projected to consume up to 8% of the national energy grid by 2030, potentially driving operators to prioritise sustainable energy sources while navigating latency constraints.
Ciaran Delaney, COO at EXA Infrastructure, identified the rise of managed optical fibre networks (MOFNs) as a cornerstone for handling AI-driven workloads in 2025.
“The concept of MOFN will allow all larger scale operators to dynamically optimise traffic, deliver at scale and pace, and enhance redundancy and network availability,” Delaney explained.
The 2025 telecoms landscape promises both challenges and opportunities as AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, private networks, and consumer demands reshape the industry. Success will depend on embracing innovative technologies, creating customer-centric strategies, and prioritising simplicity, trust, and inclusivity in operations.
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