Huawei has urged telecom operators to embed artificial intelligence across networks and services as the industry moves beyond the mobile internet era into what it describes as the “Internet of Agents”.

Speaking at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, Richard Liu, Huawei President of ICT Marketing & Solution Sales, said AI will fundamentally reshape telecom networks, services and operations, creating new opportunities for operators to generate revenue and improve efficiency.

While telecom networks have expanded rapidly over the past decade, operators now face growing challenges including increasingly complex architectures, high operational costs and limited differentiation between services.

As AI evolves rapidly, we are shifting from the mobile internet to the Internet of Agents, and AI will increasingly be embedded across devices and applications, with trillions of intelligent agents expected to emerge.

Telecom operators are well positioned to take advantage of this shift because communications networks are already highly digitalised. It’s suggested that carriers could both apply AI internally to improve efficiency and provide AI-enabled infrastructure to support digital transformation across industries.

Huawei is positioning AI as a core component across three layers of telecom networks: services, network operations and network infrastructure.

At the service level, AI is moving from being optional to a necessity. Operators are increasingly integrating AI capabilities into core offerings such as voice, mobile data and home broadband services in order to create what Huawei calls “AI-native services”.

Huawei is developing multi-agent collaboration platforms designed to allow operators to deploy AI-powered agents for areas such as call handling, customer experience management and home broadband networks.

At the network level, AI is also being integrated into telecom infrastructure to enable greater automation. AI-driven networks are evolving from automation in specific operational and maintenance scenarios towards more advanced forms of autonomous networking that can optimise performance and manage resources across multiple domains.

These capabilities could help operators reduce operational costs while improving energy efficiency and enabling more personalised service experiences for users.

A key theme of Huawei’s strategy is “experience monetisation”, which focuses on charging for guaranteed network performance and service quality rather than simply providing connectivity.

Technologies such as 5G-Advanced, high-capacity fibre access and fibre-to-the-room deployments are enabling operators to deliver differentiated services to both mobile and fixed broadband customers.

For consumer markets, operators could offer guaranteed performance for high-value users in scenarios such as dense urban environments or high-speed mobility. In the home broadband segment, AI can be used to optimise network performance and provide automated troubleshooting capabilities.

Huawei also highlighted opportunities to enhance traditional telecom services with AI. AI-powered voice services could improve call clarity and introduce features such as real-time translation, automated meeting summaries and intelligent call assistants.

Similarly, AI-enabled broadband services could allow users to diagnose and repair home network problems through simple voice commands, while also enabling personalised content recommendations and enhanced video communication services.

Beyond consumer services, Huawei sees strong growth potential in the enterprise market, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses.

Operators could combine connectivity with computing, storage and AI capabilities to deliver integrated digital solutions for businesses such as retail stores, manufacturing firms and schools. These solutions could include applications such as video security systems, smart retail tools and AI-assisted education platforms.

Huawei also highlighted its ongoing work on autonomous networks, an industry initiative aimed at increasing network automation. The company said its technologies are already deployed on more than 130 networks worldwide to automate tasks such as fault management, network optimisation and energy efficiency improvements.

Huawei is working with industry organisations including the TM Forum to advance standards for autonomous networks as the industry works towards Level 4 autonomy, where networks can operate with minimal human intervention.

Additionally, Huawei continues to invest in AI-driven algorithms and infrastructure technologies across areas such as radio access networks, optical transport and AI computing platforms in order to support the next generation of intelligent telecom networks.

Two bits of last mile news and some cable landing activity south of the border:

… [visit site to read more]

Zain Omantel International (ZOI), an international carrier that delivers a unified, AI-ready network across the Middle East and beyond, and Zong, a leading mobile network operator in Pakistan, have partnered to expand voice interconnect and roaming services between the Middle East and Pakistan.

The partnership builds on an existing interconnect relationship where ZOI carries Zain Group and Omantel retail Pakistan traffic for Zong. The two companies say they will grow their cooperation across voice and mobility services and move towards consolidating roaming under a single group framework to simplify operations and strengthen commercial alignment across the corridor.

As the partners explain, Pakistan is one of South Asia’s largest telecommunications markets, with more than 200 million mobile subscribers nationwide. 

Zong serves over 53 million subscribers and operates one of Pakistan’s most extensive 4G networks. Its parent company, China Mobile, is the world’s largest mobile operator by subscriber base, operating one of the industry’s most expansive international network infrastructures.

ZOI is an international carrier that provides unified, AI-ready digital infrastructure in MENA and across the world. It provides international voice, roaming, IP and capacity services to carriers, hyperscalers, mobile network operators, neoscalers and a range of network-centric businesses.

ZOI carries more than 10 billion international voice minutes across 200 roaming countries. It has the number one ranked ASN IP network in the Middle East and investments in more than 22 subsea cable systems globally.

As Sohail Qadir, Chief Executive Officer at ZOI points out: “Pakistan is a strategically important market for the Gulf region. By aligning with Zong and the wider China Mobile ecosystem, we are strengthening service quality, simplifying governance and creating a scalable model for voice and mobility services across one of the region’s highest-volume routes.” 

Traffic between the Middle East and Pakistan continues to grow, driven by retail demand and cross-border mobility. ZOI and Zong say they will standardise how they manage voice and roaming traffic across the Middle East–Pakistan route. They aim to simplify interconnect processes, align roaming governance, and improve service stability as volumes continue to grow.

A couple of interesting infrastructure projects: … [visit site to read more]

Kuwaiti conglomerate Alghanim Industries announced on Tuesday that its tech venture Sama X is officially reselling Starlink’s LEO satellite broadband services in Kuwait, a day after the country’s regulator granted Starlink an operating licence.

Sama X – which is authorized by SpaceX to resell Starlink products globally – said it will offer a range of subscription plans with download speeds exceeding 300 Mbps, along with delivery, professional installation, and local support, including a 24/7 bilingual call centre.

Alghanim Industries executive chairman Kutayba Y. Alghanim said the launch of Starlink in Kuwait is a key step in strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure.

« At a time when reliable connectivity has become essential for business continuity and the effective functioning of key sectors, this technology provides advanced connectivity that helps organizations, governments, and communities stay connected wherever they operate — from remote worksites to critical sectors such as healthcare and education,” he said in a statement.

Sama X’s Starlink launch follows an announcement on Monday by Kuwait’s Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) that it had granted Starlink a license to provide satellite internet services in the country.

CITRA said in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency that Starlink met all regulatory and technical requirements, ensuring compliance with national telecoms laws and frequency spectrum regulations.

Sama X – which is headquartered in Dubai – was established by Alghanim Industries last year as part of the group’s broader expansion into technology and advanced connectivity solutions across the region. The company offers tailored connectivity solutions for enterprises, small businesses, and professional consumers.

Some infrastructure expansion news in Brazil, Australia, and around the US. … [visit site to read more]

Orange Group Middle East and Africa CEO Yasser Shaker said he is aiming to triple the number of users of the Max It super app to 75 million as part of a broader strategy to sustain growth across the operator’s African footprint.

Speaking at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, Shaker said the app currently has around 25 million users and integrates services including mobile finance, streaming, gaming and telecom offerings.

Shaker said the push to expand Max It forms part of the wider group’s “Trust the Future” strategy, which identifies innovation as a key pillar for growth.

The company aims to reach 75 million users by the end of 2028, a goal Shaker described as deliberately ambitious to drive internal momentum.

“A super app means people can go there for everything – marketplace, TV streaming, gaming and payments,” he said, adding that Orange Money currently acts as the main payment platform within the app.

Growth beyond connectivity

Shaker said Orange’s Middle East and Africa business is expanding across multiple segments rather than relying solely on traditional connectivity services.

Data and connectivity remain the core growth engine, with revenue in this segment increasing by around 18%. Mobile financial services are also growing rapidly, with Orange Money recording roughly 18% growth over the past year.

The platform processes around €20 billion in transfers every month and has a customer base of approximately 47 million users, highlighting the increasing role of financial services within telecom ecosystems.

Enterprise services are also gaining traction. Although still relatively small, Orange’s ICT business is expanding quickly, while the wider B2B segment is growing by about 10%.

Overall, the Middle East and Africa division delivered its strongest performance yet in 2025, with revenue rising more than 12% and EBITDA increasing by nearly 14%, bringing margins close to 40%.

Africa’s demographic advantage

Shaker emphasised that Africa’s demographic and economic dynamics continue to make it one of the most promising regions for telecom growth.

The continent has a population exceeding 1.5 billion people and one of the youngest demographics globally, with an average age of around 20. Combined with steady population growth and a mobile-first culture, this creates strong demand for digital services.

Orange currently operates in 18 markets across Africa and the Middle East, with a deliberately diversified footprint. No single country accounts for more than 10% of the regional business, a structure Shaker said helps mitigate geopolitical and currency risks.

AI and digital skills

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in the operator’s strategy, particularly in network management and customer analytics. In Africa’s largely prepaid markets, operators must analyse customer behaviour in real time as users can easily switch between providers.

AI is also helping accelerate the development of platforms such as Max It, enabling faster software design and updates.

Shaker added that localisation will be important for digital services in Africa due to the continent’s linguistic diversity and varying literacy levels. The company is experimenting with AI tools that support local languages to improve accessibility.

Alongside commercial initiatives, Orange is investing in digital education through its network of Orange Digital Centres, which have trained more than 1.3 million people. The company is also partnering with universities and technology firms to deliver free training programmes.

5G and connectivity expansion

Orange is continuing to expand 5G coverage across the region, with deployments underway in several markets including Egypt, Morocco, Botswana, Senegal and Tunisia.

In many cases, the technology is being used to support fixed wireless access services, providing broadband connectivity in areas where fibre networks are limited.

Shaker said fibre remains focused on dense urban areas, while 5G offers a more practical solution for expanding broadband coverage in less populated regions.

The operator competes with major regional players including MTN Group, Airtel Africa and Vodacom across many markets.

Despite growing competition from fintech companies and neobanks, Shaker said Orange remains confident in its position provided that all players operate under the same regulatory conditions.

Some interesting infrastructure activity in the the US southwest and Latin America to catch up with: … [visit site to read more]

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and Safaricom revealed on Friday they have signed an agreement to combine their collective experience in AI and fintech to co-develop better customer experiences within their respective digital ecosystems.

The partnership deal will see Indosat and Safaricom develop practical use cases that leverage AI-driven decision-making to enable proactive and hyper-personalized customer engagement.

That includes things like predictive care that spots and resolves network issues before they impact customers, relevant product recommendations for prepaid users, and conversational AI experiences for customer support.

Meanwhile, Indosat will tap into Safaricom’s deep operational expertise in mobile financial services with its M-Pesa service to strengthen resilience, security and personalization of digital financial services.

That aspect will focus on areas like AI-powered fraud and risk management, improving payment reliability during peak moments, expanding merchant and ecosystem capabilities, and enabling more tailored financial offerings based on customer behaviour.

“By combining Indosat’s AI-Native ambitions with Safaricom’s proven fintech and ecosystem expertise, we are focused on delivering innovations that customers can genuinely feel from smarter networks and safer digital transactions to more personal and intuitive experiences,” said Indosat’s president director and CEO Vikram Sinha.

“From smarter networks and safer transactions to more intuitive digital experiences, this collaboration goes beyond innovation; it is about shaping inclusive digital economies where individuals, businesses, and communities can thrive,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.

Indosat and Safaricom said they will also explore smart-capex models and AI-led insights to sharpen how both telcos plan and invest in their networks so that network investments are more precise, demand-driven and impactful – particularly in high-growth and underserved areas.

The partnership agreement also includes a skillsets component, with both telcos committing to establish joint initiatives that focus on “building AI-fluent executives, developing business–AI translator roles, and enabling cross-organizational learning journeys and short-term secondments to accelerate capability transfer and institutional learning.”