Intelligent Networks are the New Growth Engine
The telecom industry has spent years defining the shift from connectivity provider to intelligent digital platform. Today, AI is moving that shift from strategy to execution.
Built on insights from 200+ senior telecom leaders, the HCLTech Telecom Pulse Survey Report measures TechCo preparedness in terms of infrastructure, service innovation, ecosystems and value realization.
It provides a clear picture of how peers are investing now, where competitive gaps are widening and which capabilities are emerging as the best indicators of future growth. This benefit won't last forever because opportunities get smaller with each quarter of pause.
The Real Picture from Telecom Leaders
The report shows where the market stands today and the readiness gaps operators must close to capture the next wave of enterprise growth.
say connectivity is commoditized and new service models are no longer optional.
rank AI and advanced analytics as a very high driver of future revenue.
launched fewer than five new digital products last year.
in enterprise value is available to operators ready to move beyond connectivity.
The Opportunity
Only 25%
rate their readiness to deliver AI-powered, cloud-native services as high or very high.
The Barrier
49%
identify slow product and service innovation as the primary barrier to capturing higher-value revenue.
The Gap Between Knowing and Doing is Where Growth Stalls
The report reveals a market that knows where it needs to go. The challenge is getting there at the pace the market now demands.
As AI becomes central to network performance and value creation, readiness is becoming the difference between ambition and revenue.
49%
describe their internal culture for transformation as only moderate.
1 in 5
has yet to make meaningful investment in digital platforms and next-gen networks.
60%
still measure AI success through cost efficiency alone.
Four Shifts that Define the TechCo Transition
Operators best positioned to capture enterprise revenue are treating the TechCo transition as a business model shift, not a technology upgrade.
Shift 1
From infrastructure to platform
Your network is an AI-enabled foundation for intelligent services that enterprises will pay for. You only have to turn that into revenue.
Business outcome: New revenue opportunities
Shift 2
From strategy to operating model
Move from isolated technology initiatives to a scalable operating model that connects strategy, execution and measurable business outcomes.
Business outcome: Faster execution and time to value
Shift 3
From vendor to ecosystem
Nearly 50% of operators view AI platforms and systems integrators as critical to growth.
Business outcome: Accelerated service innovation
Shift 4
From efficiency to customer experience
Expand transformation outcomes beyond efficiency to include customer experience, productivity and new revenue.
Business outcome: Optimal value proposition, better customer retention and brand value
What Our Leaders are Saying
This research shows that infrastructure modernization is now directly tied to business growth and service innovation. AI-native, distributed, software-defined networks need a modern digital foundation if they are to support automation, scalability, low-latency services and real-time intelligence.
Executive Vice President,
Head of Telecom Vertical, Americas
With connectivity increasingly commoditized and innovation cycles slowing, telecom operators must move beyond incremental efficiency gains. The survey reinforces that sustained growth will come from co-creating differentiated digital services and platforms through strong ecosystem partnerships. With these partnerships, technology, industry expertise and operating model transformation will come together to unlock new revenue streams.
Executive Vice President, Head of TMT,
Europe, HCLTech
The industry is moving to a new era where connectivity alone cannot sustain growth. Instead, revenue will come from intelligent platforms, enterprise-focused digital services and AI-enabled experiences.
SVP and BU Head,
CSP Sector
The survey highlights that the telecom challenge is no longer about intent but about execution. Skills shortages, legacy operating models and fragmented platforms are slowing progress. For clients, the priority must be building an end-to-end transformation muscle that combines modern engineering talent, AI-ready platforms and transformation governance that can scale across the organization.
Senior Vice President and Head of Telecom and Technology Vertical,
Europe, HCLTech
The Mobile World Live survey findings reinforce that telecom leaders clearly understand the strategic direction, AI-enabled services, cloud-native platforms and ecosystem-led innovation, but insight alone is no longer enough. The real differentiator for our clients will be how quickly they translate these insights into operating change by simplifying legacy environments, accelerating product engineering and embedding AI into day-to-day network and business decisions.
SVP Communications Technology Group,
HCLTech
It’s saying that most operators still measure AI success primarily through cost and efficiency. That lens reflects today’s margin pressures, but the next phase of transformation requires linking efficiency gains to faster innovation cycles, better customer experiences and new revenue creation. Organizations that balance near-term efficiency with long-term value realization will be best positioned to lead.
CTO, Telecom,
HCLTech
Why HCLTech
Delivering TechCo Transformation at Scale
HCLTech has worked with leading telecom operators to modernize networks and build the foundations for new digital services. With the shift from telco to TechCo, the difference between strategy and growth comes down to execution.
- 25 of the world’s top 30 telecom operators trust HCLTech
- 100+ operators supported globally across transformation programs
- $2.1B network services engagement delivered with Verizon Business
- 35+ innovation labs driving next-generation telecom solutions
- 15,000+ ecosystem partnerships across the telecom value chain
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