Reflections from Mobile World Congress 2025: A Journey to the Future of Telecom

Attending the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona was an enriching experience, as always. The event continues to impress with its scale, ambition, and the depth of discussions it fosters. Engaging with industry leaders to explore the evolving telecom landscape was both insightful and inspiring. I am excited to share my key takeaways from this remarkable gathering.

At Tech Mahindra, our focus for telecommunications companies revolves around three key themes: simplifying operations, modernizing the technology stack, and monetizing assets for new revenues. It was heartening to see these themes resonate across nearly every conversation with industry stakeholders.

A common thread that binds all three themes is the increasing importance of collaboration and partnerships. As telcos move beyond 5G deployments, the urgency to discover new revenue streams has never been greater. Innovation, particularly in enhancing customer experiences, is the key to unlocking these opportunities. The pressing question remains: how can telcos foster innovation?

The answer lies in a collaborative ecosystem—where original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), telecom operators, and system integrators like Tech Mahindra, with its deep industry expertise, come together to drive digital transformation. The telecom landscape has evolved from a few dominant players to a diverse, interconnected network. With advancements such as network cloudification, 6G, and Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) architectures, strategic alliances and partnerships have become more critical than ever.

Each ecosystem partner brings unique capabilities to the table. OEMs introduce cutting-edge devices, hyperscalers provide advanced cloud expertise, telcos offer robust network infrastructure, and system integrators ensure seamless integration of these elements to create exponential value. The convergence of network and software expertise is the foundation for ushering in next-generation technologies, and this can only be achieved through strategic collaboration.

Tech Mahindra is deeply involved in industry-wide initiatives that promote collaboration and innovation. We are an active member of the O-RAN ALLIANCE, a global community of mobile operators, vendors, and research institutions dedicated to advancing the Radio Access Network (RAN) industry. Additionally, our close partnership with TM Forum is instrumental in driving the development of autonomous network technologies. It is encouraging to see the entire telecom ecosystem coming together to address critical industry challenges, and I am confident that our collective efforts will shape the autonomous networks of the future.

Key Takeaways for Telcos

Aligned with our three core themes, here are my reflections on the strategic imperatives for telecom companies:

• Simplify Operations

  • Autonomous operations will play a pivotal role in transforming efficiency and cost structures.
  • Telcos must prioritize Self-X capabilities across devices, networks, and platforms to drive operational excellence.
  • Actionable insights derived from the intersection of devices, networks, and platforms will unlock new opportunities.

• Modernize Tech Stacks

  • While foundational modernization of Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operations Support Systems (OSS) is crucial, AI-driven automation will redefine customer, agent, and employee experiences.
  • Hyper-personalization solutions, powered by AI, will significantly impact both top-line growth and operational efficiency.
  • Scaling AI applications—including large and small language models—will be essential to fostering innovation in collaboration with a strong partner ecosystem.

• Monetize Assets for New Revenues

  • To drive revenue growth, telcos must implement strategies that reduce churn and enable real-time marketing.
  • Co-innovation with ecosystem partners, particularly in AI-led solutions, will be instrumental in delivering superior customer experiences.
  • Transforming customer service centers will be a key enabler in enhancing customer engagement and retention.

  • Reshaping the B2B business to become more agile and flexible, addressing the evolving needs of enterprises in the post-COVID era.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on MWC 2025, I am more confident than ever in the vast potential that lies ahead for the telecom industry. At Tech Mahindra, we are committed to leading this transformation—leveraging AI, innovation, and strategic partnerships to unlock new growth opportunities.

I extend my gratitude to everyone who connected with us during MWC 2025, and I look forward to continuing these important conversations. Together, we can navigate today’s challenges and seize the opportunities of tomorrow.