The latest batch of quarterly earnings across carriers, vendors, and test-and-measurement firms points to a telecom industry in the middle of a structural pivot that is increasingly shaped by AI, cloud-native operations, and sustained infrastructure modernization.
Deutsche Telekom set the tone with a quarter defined by record FTTH growth and an aggressive push into AI infrastructure. The operator added 155,000 new fiber customers — its best pure-fiber quarter on record — and detailed previously announced plans for an underground industrial AI cloud in Munich built with Nvidia and Brookfield. CEO Tim Höttges said the company is using AI “in all areas” of its business.
That same theme carried through vendor earnings. Amdocs reported steady fiscal Q4 growth, citing double-digit growth in “cloud-related activities” and momentum generated from recent AI deals with Altice Optimum, e& UAE, and Consumer Cellular. Cisco’s results reflected a similar shift. While traditional hardware sales softened, the company saw strong demand for AI infrastructure, with orders taken from hyperscaler customers totaling $1.3 billion for quarter, reflecting a material acceleration in growth.
Even in test and measurement, most companies posted stable or improved results. Demand remained healthy across fiber buildouts, 5G densification, transport upgrades, and security validation. A few players missed expectations, but the broader trendline shows operators continuing to invest in performance, assurance, and resilience as networks grow more distributed and data-heavy. Check out our T&M Q3 results round-up for more.
Across all segments, a consistent picture emerges: AI is becoming central to telecom strategy; cloud and software models are expanding; and foundational infrastructure remains non-negotiable.
Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Managing Editor
RCR Wireless News
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EU pushes spectrum reform: An EU advisory group is proposing reallocating key spectrum bands to mobile operators, signaling a potential policy shift that could reshape Europe’s spectrum roadmap and accelerate 5G/6G planning.
Amdocs posts steady Q4: Amdocs has posted steady fiscal Q4 growth with strong cloud and 5G project demand, expanded managed services wins, and a solid outlook as operators accelerate digital modernization and automation.
AI pipeline lifts Cisco: Cisco’s Q1 shows expanding AI-infrastructure orders and broad-based networking strength — pushing valuation higher as the company repositions for the AI era and shifts away from legacy hardware.
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