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The public shouldn’t have to think about connectivity. It should just work, says Rob Chambers, the managing director of Total Telecom.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Rob Chambers, the Managing Director of Total Telecom, says Connected Britain has evolved with the growth of the connectivity market in the United Kingdom.

“What started as being a conversation purely about fibre rollout has now moved on to a more complete discussion about connectivity and what people do with it,” he said, speaking to Beyond the Cable in at Connected Britain. 

Connected Britain, held annually in London, brings together thousands of industry experts, innovators, and policymakers. The event boasts an impressive lineup of top speakers, cutting-edge exhibitors, and networking opportunities for those driving the United Kingdom’s digital transformation.

Similar to Total Telecom’s U.S. events, like Connected America and Broadband Communities Summit, Connected Britain is also technology agnostic.

While the United Kingdom’s connectivity market may be in some more advanced stages than the U.S., Chambers said it’s not all ahead of the curve.

He said he believes North America has excelled at adopting technologies like low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, whereas LEO has been slower to take hold in European markets.

Still, in the next five years, Chambers predicts the connectivity picture in the United Kingdom will become more complete.

“I’ve banged the drum a long time for the fact that the public shouldn’t have to think about connectivity. It should just work,” he said.

Nowadays, Chambers said it’s harder to think about what people don’t use connectivity for, rather than what they do use it for.

Looking ahead, Chambers also said he hopes to see more participation from emerging sectors.

“I think we’ll start seeing more around things like smart grids, more around sustainable energy, more around cybersecurity and protection of infrastructure,” he said.

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News

Finnish vendor Nokia reported a third-quarter profit that surpassed market expectations, driven by strong demand in optical and cloud services, including sales related to AI-focused data centres following its acquisition of US optical networking firm Infinera. The company’s comparable operating profit reached 435 million euros in the quarter through September, significantly exceeding the 342 million euros analysts had forecast.

This profit beat comes despite a challenging year for Nokia, which had previously issued a profit warning in July due to factors including US tariffs, a market slowdown, and a weaker dollar. The company has also “lost ground in the North American telecoms market” after US carrier AT&T chose Nordic rival Ericsson for a $14 billion 5G contract in 2023, phasing out Nokia’s existing deal.

The AI and Cloud Catalyst
Despite these headwinds, Nokia’s quarterly group net sales rose 12% to 4.83 billion euros, above the 4.6 billion forecast, supported by strong growth in Optical Networks and cloud services. Artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud customers accounted for 6% of group net sales and 14% of network infrastructure sales, with optical networks alone seeing a 19% rise on a constant currency basis.

Nokia’s CEO, Justin Hotard, highlighted the accelerating demand, stating, “AI and data center demand continues to be robust. In fact, it continues to accelerate from our perspective”. This focus on high-growth areas like AI is part of a strategic investment, with mobile networks remaining Nokia’s core business. Looking ahead, the Finnish company anticipates annual operating profit to be between 1.7 billion and 2.2 billion euros, a slight increase from the previous range of up to 2.1 billion.

Ericsson’s Cost Discipline
Meanwhile, rival Ericsson is executing a strategy that pivots “from prioritising top-line growth to being disciplined on costs and considering non-core disposals and cash returns”. This strategic pivot is playing out better than anticipated, with Morgan Stanley raising its price target on Ericsson due to “stronger-than-expected cost efficiencies and higher profitability forecasts”. Operational improvements, including a 6% workforce reduction and better management of the geographical mix, are helping to sustain margins at historically high levels. Analysts now expect gross margins in mobile networks to reach “record levels above 50% in 2025 despite a 6–7% revenue decline”.

Ericsson’s improved expense management is forecasted to keep operating margins steady in the 12–15% range through 2026. The company, which analysts now describe as resembling a “Telco” with a focus on free cash flow, is also expected to significantly boost shareholder returns. The firm is estimated to distribute 30 billion kronor in 2026, which is around 10% of its market capitalisation, through a mix of ordinary dividends, a special dividend, and share buybacks.

A Shared Path to Value
Both Nokia and Ericsson are demonstrating a business focus on margin expansion and financial discipline. For Nokia, this involves leveraging its Infinera acquisition and capitalising on surging demand from AI and cloud customers to drive growth in optical networks. For Ericsson, the emphasis is on rigorous cost control and operational efficiency to deliver strong profitability and substantial returns to shareholders.

This dual focus on profitability and capitalising on high-growth sectors signals a maturing phase for the telecom equipment industry, where disciplined management of costs and strategic investments in future technologies are key to driving value for a technically knowledgeable and business-focused audience.

Ericsson have made the shortlist for this years World Communication Awards in several categories including the 5G Award alongside Batelc0, Jio Platforms, KT and Singtel. View all the finalists here

Total Telecom are testing AI tools for content generation. This article used Noah Newsroom, please let us know about any inaccuracy

News

Applied Digital has signed a lease with a US investment‑grade hyperscaler for roughly $5 billion of contracted revenue over an estimated 15‑year term, covering 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT capacity at its Polaris Forge 2 campus near Harwood, North Dakota.

The agreement, announced on 22 October 2025, phases the initial 200MW across two buildings that are expected to begin coming online in 2026 and reach full commissioning in 2027. The hyperscaler holds a first right of refusal on an additional 800MW — the remainder of the campus’ 1 gigawatt (GW) build‑out — giving Applied Digital potential to scale the site substantially if demand materialises.

With this deal, Applied Digital says its total leased capacity in North Dakota with two major global hyperscalers across Polaris Forge 1 and 2 reaches 600MW. The company has promoted the project’s design and sustainability metrics, stating Polaris Forge 2 is engineered for a projected power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.18 and “near‑zero water consumption,” and built for high power density and liquid cooling.

Wes Cummins, Applied Digital chairman and chief executive, said: “What sets us apart isn’t just the size of our pipeline – it’s how fast we can deliver. The real constraint in this industry is execution, and our team continues to prove that large‑scale, next‑generation data centers can be designed, financed, and brought online faster and more efficiently than anyone thought possible.”

The lease follows a string of recent transactions for Applied Digital, including a 150MW lease with CoreWeave at Polaris Forge 1 and a previously announced $5bn partnership with Macquarie Asset Management. The company has also been highlighted in industry rankings for rapid growth.

Industry observers say the deal underlines continued hyperscaler appetite for purpose‑built, inland sites that offer grid capacity and cooler climates for high‑density AI and high‑performance compute workloads. Questions remain about execution risks — including permitting, financing and construction timelines — and how quickly additional capacity can be monetised if the tenant exercises expansion rights.

For B2B buyers and suppliers in the data‑centre ecosystem, the transaction signals ongoing demand for specialised AI infrastructure and opportunities in power, cooling and construction services as hyperscalers shift more of their build‑out into large, modular campuses outside traditional coastal markets.

Hyperscale Live: INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY, AND FINANCE FOR AI
New from Total Telecom 21-22 October 2026, Lisbon. Find out more

Total Telecom are testing AI tools for content generation. This article used Noah Newsroom, please let us know about any inaccuracy 

News

Lynk Global and Omnispace have announced plans to merge, aiming to create a leading direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity provider by combining key technological and spectrum assets. The merger would unite Omnispace’s 60 megahertz of globally coordinated S-band spectrum with Lynk’s multi-spectrum satellite technology platform, which is currently operational with five low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites offering intermittent messaging and alert services across several island nations.

The combined entity, backed strategically by Luxembourg-based multi-orbit operator SES, which is set to become a major shareholder, intends to utilise this S-band spectrum aligned with international 3GPP standards for non-terrestrial networks. This move will deliver enhanced D2D and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity solutions. These services are targeted at mobile network operators (MNOs), enterprises, government users, and commercial sectors worldwide, signalling a significant expansion in satellite-based mobile communications offerings.

Omnispace, headquartered in Washington, D.C., initially planned to deploy a constellation exceeding 600 satellites utilising its spectrum for global D2D coverage. However, its progress was hindered by interference issues reportedly related to the overlap with SpaceX’s spectrum usage in the U.S., particularly concerning T-Mobile’s cellular frequencies. According to Omnispace’s vice president of strategy and marketing, George Giagtzoglou, this interference was specific to the U.S. market, with expectations that a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulatory request by SpaceX could alleviate conflicts by aligning frequency usage with international S-band allocations.

Lynk CEO Ramu Potarazu expressed confidence that the merger provides the “right mix of technology, spectrum and leadership” to accelerate the delivery of seamless messaging, voice, and data services globally, extending coverage to commercial and industrial vehicles, governments, utilities, and consumer markets. Potarazu is slated to become CEO of the new combined entity, with Omnispace CEO Ram Viswanathan taking on the role of chief strategy officer.

This strategic pivot towards spectrum ownership marks a critical step for Lynk, which recently discontinued a planned public merger with Slam Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, following legal disputes that had constrained its capital-raising efforts. Instead, Lynk has been focusing on leveraging SES’s extensive satellite network in geostationary and medium Earth orbits and focused on a technology validation launch that will test new multi-orbit relay functions.

The timing of this merger also places Lynk and Omnispace alongside major industry competitors such as SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile, both actively securing satellite spectrum to bolster their D2D services. SpaceX is in the process of acquiring S-band spectrum rights from EchoStar (DISH), a deal reported to be valued at up to $17 billion in total considerations, which would significantly expand its licensed spectrum. The move is intended to grow its capacity from the modest 10 megahertz currently licensed through T-Mobile to a potential 50 megahertz for a next-generation service. Its constellation of over 650 Starlink satellites currently supports text messaging, emergency alerts, and select apps in specific markets.

Meanwhile, AST SpaceMobile, currently operating five test BlueBird LEO satellites, aims to scale rapidly with U.S. carriers AT&T and Verizon. It is pursuing various global spectrum agreements to provide higher-throughput satellite broadband, competing directly with the newly combined entity.

The Lynk-Omnispace merger is positioned to strengthen the landscape of D2D satellite communication by combining spectrum assets—Omnispace’s 60 MHz S-band and Lynk’s operational platform—with financial backing from SES. The companies anticipate finalising the transaction by late this year or early next year, subject to customary regulatory approvals. This consolidation reflects a growing industry trend where satellite firms seek to secure expansive, globally coordinated spectrum bands in order to deliver seamless, low-latency connectivity directly to consumer devices without relying solely on terrestrial cellular networks.

Total Telecom are testing AI tools for content generation. This article used Noah Newsroom, please let us know about any inaccuracy 

News

The collaboration will see thousands of sites rolled out across the company from early next year

This week, Wind River has revealed its selection by Vodafone to help deploy Open RAN in Germany and the rest of its European markets.

The partnership covers the use of Wind River® Cloud Platform as the containers-as-a-service (CaaS) layer, which Wind River says allows for the “development, deployment, operation, and servicing of distributed edge networks at scale”.

“Vodafone continues to advance and collaborate with the industry in realizing the promise of Open RAN. We’re proud to extend our partnership to enable the next wave of large-scale deployments,” said Paul Miller, chief technology officer, Wind River. “Wind River Cloud Platform delivers the scalable, distributed cloud infrastructure service providers need to run next-generation networks efficiently.”

The news follows Vodafone Group’s ‘Spring 6’ announcement earlier this month, which provided an update on the company’s ongoing RAN refreshment strategy. The update said that the company would continue to lean on Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia for its transition to 5G Advanced, but would bring in Samsung as a strategic vendor for the deployment of Open RAN across Europe.

Germany will be Vodafone’s first market to implement Open RAN at scale, with Samsung reportedly set to equip “thousands of sites” throughout the country. The first Open RAN site is already live in Hannover, with Wismar planned as the first city fully equipped with Open RAN from spring 2026.

Thousands more Open RAN sites in other markets are planned for deployment over the course of the five-year investment programme.

How is the German connectivity landscape changing in 2025? Join the industry in discussion at Connected Germany 2025

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Contributed Article

by James Lilley, Director of All-IP at Openreach

The UK is gearing up for a historic moment – the final full-scale infrastructure transition of our lifetimes. The Public Switched Telephone Network will be switched off on 31st January 2027 in favour of internet-based (All-IP) networks. Even though this deadline is fast approaching, many businesses are still resistant to the move. Switch-overs are continuing to happen, but the progress is slower than expected, considering the finality of the deadline. By 2027, most people in the UK will need to have a digital phone line, or risk being left behind.

Why aren’t businesses moving?

Many businesses are avoiding the switch due to the perceived difficulty of switching. Continuing with current systems seems like an easier option. The classic idea of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ echoes with businesses happy to stick to their current trusted systems. Many organisations will have only ever used their current networks and are satisfied with the way they run.

However, as the world becomes increasingly digital, PSTN simply can no longer keep up. Legacy PSTN networks already have far more service disruptions and outages than all-IP systems, and in 2024 alone the number of PSTN incidents reported to Ofcom increased by 45%.

Many businesses aren’t fully aware that though the PSTN switch-off is scheduled for January 2027, the practical deadline for businesses to act is December 2025. After that, support for legacy services will diminish, and businesses could be exposed to operational risks. The reason being, that Openreach has formally notified Communication Providers (CPs) that the current Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) contracts will terminate on 31 December 2025.  After this date, any remaining WLR assets i.e. services not yet migrated or cancelled, will be subject to new contract terms. Under the revised terms, Openreach reserves the right to terminate any remaining WLR services with just 90 days notice.  After that, services may continue only at Openreach’s discretion, and with reduced service guarantees. This could mean businesses facing things like slower repair times and reduced service response guarantees.

So, while ‘it ain’t broke’ currently, delaying the switch will only create bigger problems for businesses in the near future as well as further down the line

There are common misconceptions about the difficulty of switching over from PSTN to all-IP. The switch over is simple and for many can be completed in just a number of days. By resisting the transition, businesses may actually be costing themselves more money and time. Legacy infrastructure is expensive to maintain. Reliance on copper materials and outdated hardware means that maintenance and replacement parts are costly and difficult to source. This not only drives up maintenance costs but also leads to longer repair times, meaning that delaying the switch ultimately results in greater disruption and downtime for businesses

Alongside technological improvements, an all-IP network is actually cheaper to run and maintain than the current legacy network. Streamlined all-IP systems use less hardware than legacy networks. With fewer pieces of hardware involved, there’s less that can break, and if something does go wrong, repairs are faster and more affordable.

A final reason that businesses may be delaying is due to assumptions that the deadline may move but there are several reasons why the January 2027 deadline is non-negotiable. Since September 2023, Openreach has enforced a “stop sell” on PSTN and ISDN services. This means no new analogue lines can be activated and existing ones can’t be expanded which means the infrastructure is already being phased out, not just planned for future removal. The January 2027 extension was granted to allow more time to safely migrate vulnerable customers, especially those using telecare devices like personal alarms. Around 2.3 million people rely on these services, and some devices failed during early migrations. Since then, more safeguards have successfully been brought in to protect those deemed vulnerable.  This was more of a one-time reset than a rolling extension. In addition, industry-wide migration is well underway with providers already migrating tens of thousands of customers weekly.

The role of CSPs in helping businesses transition NOW

Customer Service Providers (CSPs) are crucial to this switch-off. To begin the transition, businesses should reach out to their communications providers (CPs), who can guide them through the process. The deadline is the same across the UK, but some CSPs will require businesses to move ahead of the switch-off. Transferring to the all-IP and VoIP system will bring different benefits across the various service providers so businesses should check for any extra benefits.  With some CSPs, calls over the internet may be cheaper than analogue phone lines or even mobile, particularly if you’re calling someone abroad, and some providers will be offering add-ons and enhanced services made available by the digital system.

Improvements for businesses using all-IP networks

Even without the extra benefits provided by CSPs, all-IP networks will bring significant improvements for businesses. All-IP networks are purpose-built to meet the demands of modern businesses that operate in the digital world.

• Reliability – They are more reliable than traditional networks, as fibre is more resistant to environmental damage. This means reduced downtime for businesses whose critical services run on connectivity.
• Scalability – Running services over the internet means new lines and services can be added easily, without needing to adjust physical infrastructure, to scale with business needs.
• Bandwidth – Fibre technology can handle massive amounts of data at the same time. This makes it possible for technologies such as IoT that demand high bandwidth to be more performant. As more business operations become digital, we need the infrastructure to keep up.

Moving to all-IP allows businesses to gain the network performance required to keep pace with today’s digital demands.

New revenue opportunities

All-IP can also create new revenue streams unavailable on the legacy network. All-IP networks will allow businesses to harness more modern technologies, including cloud-based communication systems such as Zoom or Teams, more efficiently. These advanced communication platforms can play an essential role in opening new revenue streams. For example, chat functions between businesses and customers can be better supported by an all-IP network. An all-IP network enhances chat functions by handling all communication types – text, voice, and video—as data packets over a single, unified infrastructure. This can help create upselling opportunities that were difficult or impossible to achieve over legacy networks. Many businesses are already reaping the rewards of the all-IP network and PSTN connections are now only 27% of residential landline connections.

With the 2027 deadline rapidly approaching, the reasons for businesses’ hesitance to switch must be addressed. The deadline will not move again, and holding back from switching means a delay to the benefits of an all-IP system. The increased capabilities of an all-IP network will allow for digital transformation for businesses previously reliant on outdated hardware, so while business can wait until the end of 2026 to switch, the benefits of switching earlier are clear.

Keep up to date with all of the latest telecoms news from around the world with the Total Telecom newsletter

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London – October 20, 2025 – RETN, the leading independent global network services provider, today announces the launch of Flex IX, a new wholesale connectivity solution that, for the first time, combines Remote Internet Exchange (IX) access and IP Transit in a single service.

RETN analysis shows that at least 70% of capacity at industry peering and interconnect points goes unused – highlighting a long-standing inefficiency: IX bandwidth often sits idle when peers are inactive. Flex IX solves this by combining Remote IX and IP Transit on a single port, automatically converting unused peering bandwidth into IP Transit with the option to burst beyond the committed rate – allowing operators to fully utilise purchased capacity without the cost and complexity of separate services.

“This is a first in our industry,” said Tony O’Sullivan, CEO of RETN. “Flex IX ends wasted capacity. Carriers, ISPs and Content networks can commit once and be certain that their bandwidth is always working for them – whether for peering or transit. It simplifies operations, increases efficiency, and builds resilience into networks.”

Key benefits of Flex IX include:

• Zero waste – unused IX capacity automatically becomes available for IP Transit.
• Resilience by design – if a peering partner or IX has an outage, traffic continues over transit (based on BGP setup).
• One solution – peering and transit combined on a single RETN port and CDR.
• Global reach – access to RETN’s Remote IX portfolio, including: AMS-IX (Amsterdam), BBIX (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore), BCIX (Berlin), BIX (Budapest), DE-CIX (Frankfurt), DTEL-IX (Kyiv), ESpanix (Madrid), France-IX (Paris), INEX (Dublin), JPNAP (Tokyo), JPIX (Tokyo), LINX (London), MIX (Milan), Netnod (Stockholm), VIX (Vienna).

William Manzione, Product Manager at RETN, added: “We designed Flex IX because we care about the quality of our customers’ networks. Every network buyer knows the frustration: you commit to IX capacity, but traffic patterns shift, peers aren’t always active, and valuable bandwidth sits unused. Meanwhile, you’re managing separate contracts for IX and transit, adding cost and complexity. Flex IX is designed to address this.”

Discover more about Flex IX here: https://retn.net/trending/FlexIX 

About RETN 

RETN is one of the fastest-growing independent Eurasian network services providers, awarded the title of Innovation Disruptor of the Year, at the Global Connectivity Awards 2024, and the Digital Infrastructure Action Award, by The Tech Capital in 2025.

RETN’s unique solution to connect Europe and Asia is built on its own homogenous DWDM and IP/MPLS Network Platform and widely branched land routes, passing through Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia up to the border with China and further onwards into Southeast Asia.

RETN provides telecommunication services throughout its Eurasian network with short lead times, industry-leading uptimes, and multiple layers of redundancy.

For more information on RETN and its services, please visit the company’s website at www.retn.net

For press enquiries, please contact pr@retn.net

Press Release

Backed by major lenders, EXA Infrastructure has raised new facilities to support network expansion and M&A ambitions

EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, has refinanced its existing facilities and raised new financing in total over €1.3bn to support continued growth ambitions and network expansion plans.

The new facility, structured over seven years, will allow EXA Infrastructure to capitalise on significant market opportunities and expand its network footprint in line with scaling customer ambitions.

Jim Fagan, CEO, EXA Infrastructure, said: “This move gives us an unrivalled ability to continue investing in our network, at a time when our customers need growing amounts of capacity across more routes, to handle an evolving set of applications and demands. Our recent investments have already shown our strategic focus, and with this refinancing, EXA Infrastructure is firmly positioned to lead in network and digital infrastructure throughout Europe and across the Atlantic.”

EXA Infrastructure announced the signing of binding agreements to acquire Aqua Comms in January, followed by strategic network deployment announcements throughout 2025, including the largest fibre backbone deployment in Central Europe and the first new subsea cable in the North Sea in 25 years.

Lenders for this refinancing process include MUFG Bank Ltd., DNB, Banco Santander, Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg, Lloyds Bank, NORD/LB, Goldman Sachs International Bank, NatWest, Kookmin Bank London Branch, Woori Bank London Branch, NIBC Bank, funds managed by Allianz Global Investors, and funds managed by Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management.

Rothschild & Co is acting as debt advisors to EXA Infrastructure in connection with the refinancing, and Latham and Watkins LLP is acting as the company’s legal advisor. Simpson Thacher and Bartlett LLP is acting as the legal advisor to the lenders in connection with the transaction.

“We’re proud to have the support of such high-calibre lenders and institutions who understand not only our business   but also the wider digital infrastructure landscape,” said Kate Hennessy, CFO at EXA Infrastructure. “Such strong demand for the facility underscores market confidence in our strategy and reaffirms our desire to pursue our next stage of growth with conviction.”

Keep up to date with all of the latest telecoms news from around the world with the Total Telecom newsletter

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Viewpoint Article

Enterprises today are pushing for simplicity, no multiple portals, fragmented services or complex user experiences. What they want is mobility that works as seamlessly as the cloud: unified, scalable, and fully integrated into their IT environment.

Yet too often, telecom operators are still perceived as “just connectivity providers.” Unless this perception changes, others will fill the role enterprises truly need — the role of the tech orchestrator.

The Gap to Close

Recent GSMA Intelligence research shows that enterprises will spend 10% of their revenues on digital transformation during 2025-2030. The appetite is enormous, but the challenges are equally large: the cost of implementation and the difficulty of integrating new technologies with legacy systems.

Enterprises are asking for something far beyond “connectivity plus”: they want simplicity, orchestration, and outcomes.

Telecom Operators are in the best position to integrate mobile connectivity directly into enterprise IT ecosystems. Unlike third-party intermediaries, operators manage both the network and the service orchestration layers, ensuring a direct, secure, and cost-efficient connection between the customer’s IT systems and their mobile environment. This end-to-end integration eliminates costly middleware and manual processes, while providing real-time visibility, automated order management, and simplified governance.

The opportunity (and challenge) ahead

But the shift from telco to techno is not a marketing exercise — it represents a fundamental transformation in how operators deliver value. The focus must move from selling connectivity to enabling measurable business outcomes.

• Employee productivity. Mobility is now about empowering every worker — from the office to the field — to be securely connected and efficient.
• Transparency and cost control. Enterprises want a clear, centralised view of their mobility spend and usage.
• AI readiness. Without orchestrated, standardised data, enterprises cannot leverage AI for predictive provisioning or real-time optimisation.

Across the industry, enterprise leaders consistently share the same message: make it easier, faster, and smarter. That is the opportunity operators must seize.

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Collaboration as the Differentiator

No single operator can meet these expectations alone. Multinational enterprises demand scale, consistency, and trust across borders — and achieving this requires collaboration.

This is where alliances like FreeMove play a pivotal role. By working together, operators can provide:

• Consistency: a unified, orchestrated experience across multiple countries.
• Speed: faster time to market through shared expertise and resources.
• Customer-centric outcomes: harmonised solutions tailored to each enterprise’s digital maturity.

At the recent Mobile World Live Unwrapped series, experts from the FreeMove Alliance — including Usman Javaid (Orange Business), Urs Lehner (Swisscom), and Stefan Grosse Onnebrink (Deutsche Telekom) — discussed this transformation in depth. Their shared conclusion was clear: collaboration is not a “nice-to-have”; it is the only way to deliver enterprise mobility at scale.

The FreeMove Automation Solution exemplifies this approach. Whether a customer is just beginning their digital journey or ready for full ITSM integration, the solution adapts to their needs. It reduces tools, lowers manual workload, improves transparency, and lays the foundation for an AI-driven future.

The road ahead

The choice for telcos is stark.
They can remain commodity providers of connectivity — or evolve into techno-orchestrators that simplify complexity, co-create with customers, and deliver tangible outcomes.

The future of enterprise mobility will not be defined by who owns the network, but by who can orchestrate ecosystems that deliver simplicity, trust, and measurable value.

Through initiatives like the FreeMove Automation Solution (FAS), operators enable seamless API-based integration into ITSM and procurement systems (including ServiceNow and Punch-Out interfaces), allowing enterprises to manage their global mobile fleet as part of their broader digital infrastructure.

In a context where enterprises will dedicate nearly 10% of revenues to digital transformation by 2030, operators stand out as trusted partners who can bridge the gap between connectivity and IT transformation—simplifying integration, enhancing security, and reducing total cost of ownership across multinational operations

The transformation from telco to techno is already underway, and collaboration will define its success.

To explore these ideas further, watch the full Mobile World Live Unwrapped session featuring Usman Javaid (Orange Business), Urs Lehner (Swisscom), Stefan Grosse Onnebrink (Deutsche Telekom), and Selma Avdagic Tisljar (FreeMove Alliance): https://www.mobileworldlive.com/mwl-unwrapped-webinar-beyond-borders-connecting-enterprises-globally-with-automation-collaboration/

Press Release

Paris, France, October 15, 2025 – During the NetworkX 2025 Next-Generation Optical Networking (NGON) Forum, Huawei introduced its groundbreaking Intelligent OTN solution, positioning it as the cornerstone for future-proof optical transport infrastructure. Gavin Gu, President of Optical Transport Network Domain of Huawei, detailed how this innovation addresses the escalating demands of AI-driven digital transformation in his keynote “Intelligent OTN, Intelligent Foundation.”  

AI fuels rapid transformation of the Optical Transport Industry 

The rapid construction of global AI data centers is injecting unprecedented momentum into the optical transport industry. The technology iteration cycle has accelerated from the past “10 years per generation” to the current “2-3 years per generation.” This shift drives a steeper decline in the cost-per-bit for network construction. Furthermore, the new collaborative model of real-time “Device-Pipe-Edge-Cloud” interaction in the intelligent era is shifting networks from “one-way” to “interactive,” and from “best effort” to “deterministic.” 

Mission-critical AI workloads demand unprecedented network performance. Data Center Interconnection (DCI) requires “six nines” (99.9999%) reliability and terabit-level capacity, while Data Center Access (DCA) needs millisecond-level latency with flexible bandwidth allocation for diverse applications from industrial AI to immersive experiences. 

Intelligent OTN Solution enhances network capabilities  

To better support DCI and DCA scenarios, Huawei launched the Intelligent OTN solution, focusing on two core directions – “OTN for AI” and “AI for OTN” – with multiple key capabilities. 

In the “OTN for AI” direction, addressing efficient DCI connectivity needs, the backbone network should upgrade with three key technical capabilities: The wavelength advancing towards 800G and even 3.2T in the future, significantly reducing the cost-per-bit for network construction; network architecture upgrades from C-band ROADM to C+L-band OXC, doubling switching capacity; and achieving zero packet loss transmission between computing nodes via the DC-OTN solution. For the user-side DCA scenario, four key capability upgrades enable the construction of an ultra-low latency metro network: Realizing “1ms to the data center” via mini-OXC devices; 100G to the edge, providing sufficient bandwidth for applications; the fgOTN solution supports fine-grained, hitless bandwidth adjustment starting from 10Mbps; and the enhanced WSON solution reduces service restoration time to within 50 milliseconds, significantly improving network reliability. 

In the “AI for OTN” direction, Gavin Gu noted that OTN networks were traditionally often called “dumb pipes.” However, Intelligent OTN introduces new technologies like digital twins and AI technologies to enable upgrades throughout the entire optical network lifecycle. By building a three-dimensional digital twin model encompassing services, network, and optical fibers, the network becomes visible, manageable, and optimizable. In the planning and construction phase, service provisioning time is reduced from months to days. In the operations and optimization phase, the system can proactively identify network risks, substantially reducing potential network failures. Intelligent OTN drives the evolution of optical networks from traditional “dumb pipes” to “intelligent pipes” with self-awareness, self-decision-making, and self-optimization capabilities, advancing towards high-level autonomous networks. 

“As the intelligent era fully arrives, driven by both ‘OTN for AI’ and ‘AI for OTN,’ Huawei’s Intelligent OTN solution will provide powerful transport support for global digital development,” said Gavin Gu. “It is both the transmission artery for the intelligent era and an evolving intelligent entity, solidifying the foundation for the future of the intelligent era.