MWC26 Reflections
Over the past three days at MWC26 we covered a wide range of themes — from AI and network evolution to security, post-quantum cryptography, eSIM, MVNOs and Open APIs. Stepping back, a few broader patterns emerge.
The most obvious is AI’s dominance. It appeared in almost every conversation, whether the topic was 6G, security, customer operations or enterprise services. Yet the industry still seems to be in an exploratory phase. The ambition is clear — operators want to move beyond being “dumb pipes” and capture value from AI-enabled services — but practical, scalable models remain largely undefined.
Where the discussion felt more grounded was in the foundational requirements around AI. Several speakers emphasised that success will depend far more on disciplined data management, structured knowledge and operational readiness than on the AI models themselves. That is a much less glamorous challenge, but likely the one that will determine whether operators extract real value from AI.
Alongside AI, two quieter but persistent themes stood out: sovereignty and resilience. Many discussions touched on the need for greater control over infrastructure, data and technology. As geopolitical and regulatory environments diverge, operators and governments alike are thinking more seriously about where services run and who controls them. At the same time, resilience is becoming a design principle for future networks, with increasing emphasis on diversity of network types, including the integration of non-terrestrial networks.
The conversation around 6G also reflected this shift. Rather than focusing purely on new capabilities, several speakers stressed the need for flexibility and adaptability in how networks evolve. Defining a rigid 6G blueprint years in advance may be less important than ensuring networks can adapt to unpredictable requirements over time.
Away from the strategic discussions, there were clear signs of progress in several areas that have been discussed for years.
eSIM is moving from projection to reality. Adoption is growing quickly, consumer awareness is rising, and the industry is now focusing on operational challenges rather than basic rollout. At the same time, familiar issues such as fraud are appearing in new forms as the technology scales.
The MVNO ecosystem continues to expand and diversify, with more than 2,000 operators globally. Digital platforms, retailers and fintech players are increasingly treating connectivity as an extension of their core services, particularly as eSIM makes new global propositions easier to launch.
Meanwhile, the conversation around network APIs feels more mature than in previous years. Expectations have cooled somewhat, but there are signs of more realistic thinking around use cases, commercial models and the need for standardisation. The industry still faces a classic chicken-and-egg problem between operators and enterprises, but at least the discussion is moving in a more practical direction.
Finally, security and cryptography remain an ongoing concern. Post-quantum cryptography is beginning to attract more attention, reflecting growing awareness that the foundations of today’s digital infrastructure may eventually need to change. The exact timeline remains uncertain, but the consensus is clear: preparation will take time, and waiting too long carries risk.
MWC always brings bold predictions and ambitious visions. This year, what stood out was a gradual shift toward delivery and operational reality. The big ideas remain — but there is growing recognition that success will depend less on the next breakthrough technology and more on how effectively the industry executes on the foundations already in place.
That’s it for our MWC26 briefings.
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