Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The AI Beyond Boundaries Summit, held during Mobile World Congress 2025, gathered global telecom leaders to discuss the transformation of telecom operators (Telcos) into technology-driven companies (Techcos) in the era of AI. The summit focused on how AI, 5G, big data, and cloud computing can drive innovation and efficiency across various industries.
A key moment of the summit was the joint release of the “Carrier Techco Transformation White Paper” by GSMA Intelligence and industry representatives. Titled “Taking the Plunge: Moving to Tech-co to Win with AI in B2B,” the white paper was presented by key Huawei executives, Allen Tang and Wang Yongde, marking a significant step in the telecom sector’s transformation.
The white paper stresses that in order to stay competitive, telecom operators must undergo a “triple transition”:
- Capability Upgrade: Deploy next-generation infrastructures like AI factories and GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) to transform network resources into intelligent assets.
- Service Innovation: Develop unique 5G-powered services in sectors like gaming, streaming media, and fintech, creating a value chain of “connection + computing power + algorithm.”
- Ecosystem Reconstruction: Shift from being merely a “connectivity provider” to an “ecosystem enabler” by leveraging digital platforms to integrate enterprise services with 5G capabilities.
The paper highlights Huawei’s “Techco 1.0” model, offering a structured transformation approach for telecom operators. It covers business servitization, service platformization, and platform intelligentization, which enable operators to tap into new growth areas and market opportunities.
Several case studies were shared, demonstrating the positive impact of AI-driven strategies, including:
- AI-powered automation increasing network fault prediction accuracy by over 98%.
- Digital twin solutions boosting enterprise O&M efficiency by 40%.
- AI-based GPU resource scheduling reducing transaction latency in financial markets to milliseconds.
Peter Jarich, Head of GSMA Intelligence, emphasized that Techco transformation is not just about technology upgrades but a fundamental shift in business strategy. “To lead in the trillion-dollar enterprise AI market, telecom carriers must adopt a platform-driven mindset,” he said.
The “Carrier Techco Transformation White Paper” is now available globally on the GSMA website, offering insights, frameworks, and actionable toolkits for telecom operators navigating their AI-driven transformation.
