Another Mobile World Congress and this time, it was different. Last year, AI was a hot topic. This year, AI was the topic. Every conversation revolved around how AI is redefining telecom, from networks to business processes, automation to customer experience. The industry is no longer just exploring AI—it’s experimenting, implementing and committed to scaling it.
At Sutherland, we have seen this shift firsthand. As a company at the forefront of AI-driven telecom transformation, we are helping Communication Service Providers (CSPs) accelerate AI adoption through network optimization, GenAI-powered customer experience, and automation-first operations.
MWC 2025 reinforced one thing: Trust in AI is essential for telecom’s future.
If 2024 was about proof-of-concepts, 2025 is about real-world execution. AI and GenAI are no longer experimental playgrounds for Telcos. Across MWC, we saw:
- Network AI Optimization Becoming a Priority: Telcos are actively working on AI-driven predictive fault management, self-healing networks, and energy efficiency solutions.
- GenAI Enhancing Customer Experience: AI-powered assistants and automated workflows are driving faster resolutions, hyper-personalization, and intelligent customer support.
- AI Regulation Taking Center Stage: As AI becomes deeply embedded into telecom’s core infrastructure, discussions focus on compliance, security, and responsible AI governance.
It was quite evident that accelerated AI adoption is imperative. Telcos have always been among the early adopters of AI, but this year, there was urgency. The question was no longer “should we?” but rather “how fast can we?”
At Sutherland, we have long believed that Trust in AI is the foundation for this transformation. AI isn’t just about automation—it must be reliable, explainable, and deeply embedded into telecom’s mission-critical operations. We are enabling real-world AI execution through solutions that combine:
- Agentic AI for Telecom Operations – AI-driven automation that prevents failures before they happen, optimizes network operations and enhances service reliability.
- Human + AI Collaboration – A Digital Chemistry approach that ensures AI remains explainable, transparent, and continuously improving with human oversight.
- Intelligent Network Management – AI-powered solutions that drive cost efficiencies, reduce downtime and improve decision-making for CSPs.
One of the most impactful discussions at MWC focused on AI-driven RAN optimization, and Sutherland was at the center of it.
In this exclusive session, we explored how AI cuts network energy costs by 25% – 30% and reduces failures through predictive fault management. This groundbreaking initiative, powered by Sutherland, Snowflake, and TM Forum, showcased how AI is reshaping RAN optimization and accelerating the move toward fully autonomous networks.
The joint session highlighted the real-world impact of AI-driven telecom innovations, reinforcing that trusted AI isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about sustainability, resilience, and long-term cost savings.
What’s Next?
As the industry moves forward, AI cannot be an afterthought or a nice to have; it has to be integrated into our core processes and systems. CSPs must embed AI deeply into their transformation roadmaps—not just as a tool but as a strategic enabler of revenue growth, efficiency, and competitive differentiation.
At Sutherland, we are driving this shift by helping telecom providers integrate AI across their networks and business processes, ensuring that AI is not just implemented but trusted, scalable, and impactful.
MWC 2025 proved one thing: The AI revolution in telecom is well underway, and acceleration is key.
The next leap starts here. Let’s build the future of telecom powered by Trust in AI.
Sriram Panchapakesan is Sutherland’s CEO for Telecommunications, Media, Technology, Energy, and Utilities. Sriram has over 25 years of experience in CXO advisory and a strong track record in driving product engineering, analytics, and AI initiatives across the telecom, media, technology, manufacturing, and natural resources industries. He specializes in building and leading high-performance teams to deliver technology-driven business and digital transformation, as well as IT cost optimization programs.
