As 2025 winds down, it’s becoming clear that AI is already reshaping the entire telecom and infrastructure stack. So, what will 2026 bring? Well, at the strategic level, AT&T Chief Data Officer Andy Markus argues that 2026 will bring more accessible AI tools, more code, and more embedded intelligence, fundamentally changing how networks are built, operated, and monetized.
That vision is already materializing in the supply chain. Broadcom’s strong fiscal 2025 results show how AI-driven demand for networking and custom silicon is offsetting slower legacy segments, cementing its role as a critical enabler for hyperscalers and AI infrastructure builders.
Meanwhile, operators and infrastructure providers are racing to keep up. In the latest episode of RCRTech’s Rack to RAN, NTT Global Data Centers COO Joe Pace details how the company is rethinking scale, power, and sustainability to support AI-era workloads. And Deutsche Telekom’s multi-year partnership with OpenAI signals how AI is moving directly into customer-facing services and network operations.
Enjoy the read, and we’ll see you Monday!
Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Managing Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
Twenty-thousand leagues under the sea: Nearly all global internet traffic flows through a small number of submarine fiber-optic cables. These undersea highways connect continents and dwarf terrestrial cross-border networks.
MasOrange accelerates O-RAN: MasOrange has made 30% of its 5G network O-RAN-ready and added AI-driven automation from Ericsson, aiming to boost efficiency, enhance service quality, and accelerate next-generation 5G innovation.
AI-Powered Telecom Infrastructure
Supermicro, in collaboration with NVIDIA, delivers AI-powered infrastructure tailored for telcos, enhancing operational efficiency, network management, and customer experiences. Explore now
Beyond the Headlines
NTT scales for AI: NTT Global Data Centers outlines a multi-pronged strategy for AI-era demand, balancing global expansion, power constraints, and sustainable, AI-ready design as customers push for higher capacity and greater efficiency.
Oceans, space, and AI: GlobalData says underwater and space-based data centers are emerging as alternatives to traditional facilities, offering natural cooling, renewable energy, and long-term scalability.
Private 5G going places, says Ericsson: Private 5G is outpacing Wi-Fi for its early growth, and its trajectory is diverging as well. Just as Nokia checks-out, Ericsson notes a rising tide of high-value industrial use cases.
5G SA in Europe: Vodafone and Spirent have co-developed an automated software testing platform for swifter rollout of software and services on Vodafone’s 5G voice core infrastructure in Europe.
AI phones and mobile economics: For years, smartphones made users do the work — manually moving context between apps. AI phones promise agent-led computing, shifting this task orchestration to software.
What We're Reading
AI predications from AT&T: As 2025 comes to a close, AT&T’s Chief Data Officer outlines six landscape shifts that AI will bring in 2026. “More code and more access to AI tools will make the tech look very different next year,” he writes.
Exceeding expectations: Broadcom has reported strong fiscal 2025 results, with AI-driven demand for networking and custom silicon offsetting slower segments, reinforcing its position as a key supplier to hyperscalers and AI infra builders.
Oracle deepens ties in LatAm: Oracle has signed new and expanded hardware and software deals across Latin America, landing major customers in telecom, finance, healthcare, and industry, including TIM, Entel, Rappi, and Bradesco.
Indonesian telecom market set for growth: Indonesia’s telecom services revenue is forecast to grow 3.7% CAGR through 2029, according to GlobalData, driven by rising mobile data and fiber adoption.
“Looking forward to serving India”: Elon Musk said Starlink is ready to serve India, as company executives met Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to discuss expanding satellite-based last-mile broadband access nationwide.
New Google AI chief: Amin Vahdat is Google’s new chief of AI infrastructure buildout. As the chief technologist for AI infrastructure, Vahdat reports to CEO Sundar Pichai, with a plan to spend $93 billion on AI infra by end of 2025.
Environmental review, permitting reform: The Semiconductor Industry Association is urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act of 2025.
Lenovo targets enterprise AI innovation: Lenovo announced new data storage, virtualization solutions, and data management services, designed to help customers modernize IT and data infrastructure for enterprise applications.
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