Whatbusinesses want from telcos.

What
businesses
want from
telcos.

A B2B wish list

A preview of the second edition of our B2B Pulse for the telecom industry, an annual study examining the evolving needs, challenges, and experiences of business customers across sectors.Contents

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We asked execs from 1,100 organizations what they want from a telecom provider…

…and how satisfied they are with what they are getting now.

This preview of their responses highlights 6 growth opportunities for telcos >

“We need a growth partner”

74%

want telcos to be accountable for business outcomes

74%

want a strategic partner for digital transformation

39%

say their telco provider drives top-line growth

41%

see telcos adding value beyond connectivity

“We need an ecosystem orchestrator”

65%

want telcos to orchestrate ecosystems across IT, software, system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers

35%

say their telco currently acts as an end‑to‑end orchestrator

“We need an AI transformation engine”

73%

seek deeper integration of AI with connectivity

67%

want AI‑native edge

66%

want robust data governance and compliance

72%

say their telco lags hyperscalers and tech‑natives in AI and cloud

“We need a trusted ally”

67%

cite sovereignty as the principal reason to prefer telcos over hyperscalers for cloud and AI

63%

expect AI‑powered cyber and threat‑detection from telcos

60%

want guidance on quantum‑risk‑
exposed products

51%

are satisfied with telcos’ AI/ Gen AI‑driven cyber-security

“We need a personalized and simplified experience provider”

64%

say seamless CX is important

68%

want integrated solutions, not point products

65%

find the current buying process too complex

46%

see sufficient industry/technical expertise in sales

“We need a network innovation architect”

61%

see non‑terrestrial networks as essential to expanding footprints and reaching new markets

53%

would partner with telcos that offer non‑terrestrial networks

69%*

view network APIs as a route to new revenue

69%*

believe network slicing will improve efficiency, security, and service customization

*of the organizations using or planning to use network APIs in the next 1–2 years

*of the organizations using or planning to use network slicing in the next 1–2 years

The full report, The B2B Pulse, will be published at Mobile World Congress 2026 and includes:

The results of more detailed survey questions on these 6 topics
Breakdowns by industry and organization size
Recommendations for growing your B2B business
Visit our Mobile World Congress page for more details