IBM Study Highlights Telcos' AI and Cloud Investments for Network Modernization

Telecommunication companies are ramping up their investments in AI, cloud, and security technologies to modernize their networks, announced in a press release by IBM. The study, conducted by the IBM Institute for Business Value with support from GSMA Intelligence, surveyed 750 global network executives from leading providers such as Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, Telstra, Verizon, and Vodafone.

The findings indicate that 79% of telecom executives prioritize network performance, with modernization as a close second. Notably, 62% of pioneering technology innovators are leveraging traditional AI for network planning, while 54% are integrating generative AI, highlighting the role of cloud readiness in driving agility and unlocking advanced AI capabilities.

Despite 55% of respondents experiencing network security breaches in the past year, only 42% consider security a top challenge for the next three years. Over the next three years, executives plan to increase investments in cloud implementation by nearly 20%, traditional AI by 16%, and generative AI by almost 19%.

The study underscores the importance of adopting a cloud and AI-driven approach to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape. It also emphasizes the need for cultural transformation within CSPs to capture network monetization opportunities and foster innovation.