Reshaping networks: from a 5G core to an agentic core

Developments in AI this quarter highlight telecoms operators moving beyond connectivity to offer bundled infrastructure for enterprises. Sovereign infrastructure is further strengthening their role in markets with local data requirements, making partnerships and focused industry solutions key to success.

5G is beginning to make inroads in Africa, though its overall impact remains uneven and limited. With the technology now in its seventh year of deployment, this is a critical juncture for stakeholders to take immediate and coordinated action to accelerate deployment, deepen adoption and maximise the impact of 5G in the region. This includes addressing bottlenecks to spectrum availability and introducing policy incentives to stimulate both consumer and enterprise demand, particularly in markets where operators have already invested heavily in network rollouts.

As the market races to evaluate the opportunity of token-focused AI monetisation, perhaps the most important question is around the challenges and risks. Against the backdrop of an evolving and uncertain new market, this piece covers the potential pitfalls that operators need to be aware of.