Network Transformation 2023

Strategic agendas for sustainable, secure, open and profitable networks

The global rollout of 5G services is taking place in tandem with myriad new mobile network innovations and technology evolutions: cloudification of networks; edge compute and network slicing ecosystem development; the standardisation of non-terrestrial 5G; and the emergence of generative AI. The network transformation landscape is incredibly dynamic not only because of a need to meet evolving consumer and enterprise demands, but also because of spectrum constraints, energy consumption constraints and early discussions of 5G’s evolution towards 6G (with 5G-Advanced in the interim). To this end, operator decisions on network transformation strategies have never been more important.

Such decision-making is important to the operators themselves, their network infrastructure suppliers and the customers who will rely on the networks of tomorrow. Understanding mobile operator network transformation strategies is a critical foundation for comprehending the shape of the mobile industry – today and tomorrow. Our survey of 100 operators from around the world provides a basis for that, divided into key themes to answer the critical questions facing the mobile ecosystem.