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Mobile World Congress has officially begun, and TechRadar Pro is on the ground to bring you all the news, updates, and announcements from day one.
We will be hearing from some of the leading voices in the B2B tech space, so stay tuned for all of the live updates as they happen and detailed write ups with insights from some of the biggest names in tech.
We're here at La Fira, and while the traffic was expectedly awful, getting in was a breeze!
We'll be bringing you live updates on all the news direct from Barcelona, so stay tuned...
MWC is one of the biggest tech shows on the planet, so there's plenty of news and announcements which may fly under the radar, especially in the B2B world.
Not to worry - as our team on the ground, and back at TechRadar Pro headquarters, are keeping tabs on everything being revealed...
Nokia reveals major AI-RAN development milestones
A major player at every MWC, Nokia kicked its news off nice and early, revealing a host of partnerships aimed at boosting AI-RAN development. The networking giant is teaming up with the likes of Nvidia, Softbank and T-Mobile to work on creating and rolling out AI-powered networks and the infrastructure that powers them, offering scalable and powerful capabilities for AI processing and other services.
“To fully harness the transformative power of AI-RAN, Nokia is working hand-in-hand with an ecosystem of leading industry partners," noted Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia.
"We enable the evolution of 5G networks toward a multi-purpose cloud platform that unlocks new revenue models and infrastructure synergies for AI and RAN while already today enhancing RAN performance and efficiency with AI-powered products and services.”
PwC research claims global telecoms industry set to grow, despite challenges
New research from PwC revealed around MWC 2025 has sounded an optimistic tone for the future of the global telecoms market. The firm's annual Global Telecoms Outlook report projects big rise over the next few years, driven by continuing strong 5G needs, as revenues rose 4.3% in 2023 to hit US$1.1 trillion. It claims 5G subscriptions are projected to quadruple by 2028, with the cellular internet-of-things (IoT) services market seeing a particular boost from the automotive sector, hitting $34.1 billion by 2028.
“The telecoms industry must re-imagine how it creates, delivers and captures value in the face of rising costs and competition," said Dr. Florian GröneGlobal Telecoms Leader, PwC US. "The industry faces enormous potential, particularly as consumers and societal actors increasingly operate across digital platforms and AI drives significant investments in digital connectivity infrastructure, but the industry remains sensitive to macroeconomic forces and is highly cost-intensive, with almost all the cash it generates absorbed by CapEx, dividends and servicing debt. As new and emerging technologies transform sectors, the telecoms industry must harness the power of AI, while working with investors and regulators to optimise market structure and deploy deals to build scale.”
Microsoft announces telecoms-focused data model in Microsoft Fabric
Microsoft isn't always a big player at MWC, but the company has announced a telecoms-specific software release for this year's show.
Its new telco industry data model in Microsoft Fabric is "designed to unify all data" for networks and telcos, covering everything from network performance metrics to customer interactions, all within a single analytics environment.
Customers will be able to use the new model to manage and streamline how all their data is ingested, modeled, and analysed, with telco-specific features and tools to optimize their work and processes.
"The telecommunications industry is experiencing significant AI advancements, emerging as the leading adopter of generative and agentic AI to drive automation, personalization, and data-driven decisions," said Silvia Candiani, Vice President WW Telecommunications, Media and Gaming, Microsoft.
"Our ecosystem of customers and partners are harnessing the power of AI to reimagine customer experiences, modernize networks, automate business operations, and drive growth."
Vodafone and IBM team up on quantum-safe cryptography for phones
Vodafone and IBM have showed off a prototype for better protecting mobile users against future threats, particularly those related to quantum computing
The two firms have developed a new proof of concept using the IBM Quantum Safe technology to enhance Vodafone Secure Net, the company's all-in-one mobile digital security service, to protect against anticipated quantum security risks. IBM Quantum Safe is being used by Vodafone to implement new post-quantum cryptography standards as it looks to introduce new, attack-resistant cryptographic algorithms across its networks.
“We want our customers to enjoy the internet without worry, now and in the future," noted Luke Ibbetson, Head of Research & Development, Vodafone. "On the one hand quantum computing could have many societal benefits such as modelling new medicines and optimising advanced digital networks. But on the other hand, it could be used to undermine the cryptographic principles that the Internet relies on today. That is why Vodafone and IBM are working together with other partners to get ahead of the curve.”
Capgemini claims these are the top priorities for B2B telecom clients
New research from Capgemini has revealed what exactly B2B telecom firms are looking for when it comes to their service provider.
Its survey of a thousand senior executives found a simplified buying process (74%) was the most desired aspect, followed by customization over cost (63%) and creating and orchestrating an ecosystem (70%). Other top priorities were better CX, with 43% saying they would pay more for better service, and a desire for better dedicated customer support, including AI-powered self-service options.
“In today’s hyperconnected world, telcos are the backbone of the digital economy. Businesses expect telecom providers to move beyond connectivity services, and offer tailored, end-to-end and flexible solutions that power digitalization, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth,” said Praveen Shankar, Global Telecom Leader at Capgemini. “By forging strong partnerships with customers and industry peers, orchestrating an innovation ecosystem and prioritizing seamless customer experience, telecom organizations can enhance trust, simplify offerings, and differentiate themselves in a fast-moving landscape.”