The potential of generative AI (Gen AI) in the telecommunications sector continues to generate interest and debate. Frost & Sullivan’s industry analyst Soumyadeep Roy Chowdhury recently discussed with RCR Wireless News how Gen AI revolutionizes telecom operations, signalling a shift towards proactive and predictive systems. Chowdhury emphasized, “This convergence signals a future where telecom operations evolve from reactive manual intervention to proactive, autonomous, and predictive systems driven by AI-enabled collaboration across multiple technology domains.”
While not a magical solution, Gen AI offers transformative possibilities when supported by clean data and unified systems. It enables faster troubleshooting and fraud detection within telecom networks. It also enhances other technologies, such as augmented reality, to extend its capabilities beyond mere optimization. The positive outlook for monetizing Gen AI contrasts with the heavy investments required for 5G, due to Gen AI’s ability to provide rapid, measurable results with lower entry barriers.
Many operators, however, are underestimating Gen AI’s potential by limiting it to chatbots. Gen AI can also enhance documentation processes, simulate scenarios, and provide valuable insights into service demand and network traffic patterns. These capabilities can lead to informed decision-making and significant operational savings.
Nevertheless, expectations should be tempered; Gen AI won’t entirely transform a telco’s operations overnight. Chowdhury clarified, “It is most definitely not a plug-and-play technology.” Achieving its full potential involves improving data unification and establishing robust governance and APIs. Operators assuming immediate, significant benefits in environments with fragmented systems or poor data may be disappointed.
Chowdhury stressed the need for scalable cloud, hybrid, or edge architectures to handle real-time data loads and continuously monitor AI models. This will help maximize Gen AI’s potential in a telecom landscape poised for evolution. Integrating Gen AI into telecom operations requires careful planning and infrastructure readiness to unlock its true value.
