Spotlight on 5G After Show

Why It Matters

AI and automation are reshaping telco cost structures and revenue models, making operators more agile and profitable in a competitive market.

Key Takeaways

• AI becomes telco's new operating system
• Autonomous networking targets measurable OPEX reductions
• Sovereign AI enables secure, localized processing
• Non‑terrestrial networks gain commercial viability
• Outcome‑based pricing ties revenue to service performance

Pulse Analysis

The TelecomTV post‑MWC26 round‑table underscored how artificial intelligence has moved from a buzzword to the backbone of next‑generation mobile networks. Executives from HPE, Wind River, Red Hat and Appledore highlighted AI‑native architectures, where machine‑learning models are embedded directly into the radio access network (AI‑RAN) and core functions. They also flagged the rise of sovereign AI, a strategy that keeps data processing within national borders to satisfy regulatory and security demands. This shift promises faster, more reliable services while opening new revenue streams for operators willing to invest in AI‑driven infrastructure.

Automation emerged as the practical engine for those AI ambitions. By deploying autonomous networking tools, carriers can dynamically allocate spectrum, self‑optimize traffic flows and predict equipment failures before they impact customers. The panel cited early pilots that delivered double‑digit OPEX reductions, translating into lower tariffs or higher margins. Such outcomes are only possible through deep integration of software‑defined networking, open‑source stacks and tight vendor partnerships, a model championed by Red Hat’s open‑source approach and Wind River’s edge‑compute solutions.

The discussion also turned to emerging non‑terrestrial network (NTN) services and how they complement terrestrial 5G footprints. Satellite and high‑altitude platform integrations promise coverage in remote regions, unlocking new consumer and enterprise use cases such as maritime IoT and emergency communications. To monetize these capabilities, speakers advocated outcome‑based pricing, where fees align with measurable service quality rather than raw capacity. This shift encourages operators to focus on delivering concrete business results, accelerating adoption of both AI‑enhanced core functions and NTN extensions across the global telecom ecosystem.

Original Description

TelecomTV’s post-MWC discussion show returns. Guests from HPE, Wind River, Red Hat and Appledore share their thoughts and insights from MWC26. AI dominated conversations at the event, from the impact of AI on the network and the move towards AI native as the new operating system, to developments in AI-RAN and the implications of sovereign AI capabilities. Autonomous networking also emerged as a major theme, along with the role of automation to streamline ops and deliver measurable operating expenditure reductions. Partnership models and the emergence of viable non-terrestrial network (NTN) services also featured, alongside the monetisation of services and outcome-based pricing models.

Featuring:

- Steve Daigle, Global Head of Telco Systems Engineers, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

- Nico Marziliano, Regional VP, Telco Sales, Wind River

- Rob McManus, Principal Product Marketing Manager, Red Hat

- John Abraham, Principal Analyst, Appledore Research

- James Pearce, Editor, TelecomTV

Recorded March 2026

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