Mobile network operators can scale, but can they hyperscale?

Telecom.tv recently hosted a knowledge sharing discussion about the successful take up of APIs. Being a ‘highly digitized country’, Brazil was the focus market. 

The session is part of the GSMA’s efforts to develop the market for mobile network operator (MNO) APIs. Panelists included representatives from the leading MNOs - Claro, TIM, and Vivo - and Infobip, an IT and telecommunication service provider. Their experience shows how a new market developed, beyond the usual MNO scope of mobile connectivity offerings. 

Success involved an ecosystem approach to address emergent customer demand, technology fragmentation, and a shift in MNOs’ mindset to value market expansion over market-share rivalry. 

Telecoms, Transformers, and Transportation

There is a common challenge that affects telecommunications, transportation, and now, the application of transformer technologies in AI systems. Telecommunications systems consist of multiple mobile networks and service providers. In many countries, there can be a handful of competing network operators, their direct-to-user service-provider arms, and multiple indirect channels in the form of (mobile) virtual network operators (MVNOs). 

One aspect of the value in this arrangement is that users of all providers can communicate with one another. This was not always the case. In the past, each operator aimed to keep customers on their network. Examples include SMS messaging during the USA in the late ‘90s, and walled garden services in the mobile internet era. There is a similar dynamic in the AI domain with large language model (LLM) providers attempting to bond consumers to their offerings. 

AI, APIs, and IoT

Telecommunications service providers have high aspirations for network APIs. Meanwhile, hyperscalers are equally ambitious about AI (language models, prompt engineering, and agents). In both cases, players are looking for ways to capitalize, respectively, on network and (GPU-equipped) data center investments. AI and APIs developments are now starting to converge because they are complementary technologies. Here, for example, is BT’s Managing Director of Research and Network Strategy, Gabriela Styf Sjöman, discussing emerging prospects in a TelecomTV interview. 

Telecommunications Futures – A Perspective From China

Mobile networks have become essential digital infrastructure for everyday activities.

High-speed connectivity dominates the conversation around wireless communications services. On a recent trip through London, I came across Connected London Wi-Fi which aims to improve visitor and Westminster resident experiences by tackling digital and technology inequality through easy-to-access and free internet connectivity. Later, as I arrived in the US, Verizon was encouraging spectators to enjoy Super Bowl LIX exclusively over its purpose-built, stadium-wide 5G network. 

The emphasis on high-speed connectivity continues to prevail; while they are indoors - 90% of time of their time - US users consume more than 80 percent of their data. Finally, with the advent of 6G, it seems obligatory to mention faster communications and remote surgery.

Do these usage scenarios represent the full spectrum of communications use cases? Not likely based on the prevalence of global users, many of whom live in China and India. Many also lead a rural and mobile existence, i.e., not dominated by indoor use but requiring dependable and ubiquitous wide-area connectivity. So, what does usage look like in other parts of the world?

2024 in Review: Wider Factors are Enveloping the IoT Industry

An important lesson from 2024’s IoT corporate initiatives is about an industry that is evolving to a post-connectivity world. This is due to the dynamics of market-demand, one of which is to treat IoT connectivity as a component in a system-level application. An example would be the case of connectivity being a part of an electric vehicle, IoT system. The introduction of regulatory protections represents another market driver. Here, examples are evident in consumer education and consumer protection initiatives.

The impending arrival of 6G is another factor. In anticipation, the communications industry is adjusting to the commercial necessities for 5G through by focusing more on enterprise customers and business modernization requirements. Examples here relate to private networks for smart factories and digital transformation. 

As a standalone technology, IoT is no longer a magnet for hype. Topics such as AI (generative and traditional), digital twins, and enterprise or private networking are generating plenty of noise.