Top 10: Mobile Predictions for 2025

The telecommunications industry is at a critical juncture, with generative AI (Gen AI) and 5G innovations continuing to disrupt networks each day. As hybrid working patterns continue, the enterprise world is demanding data and reliable connectivity more than ever before.

As a result, telco companies are poised for significant growth, with new business models embracing technology set to bolster services and improve overall customer experience. This coincides with an overall focus on improving sustainability to improve their development, whilst also committing to the environment.

From AI to sustainability, Mobile Magazine looks at some of the most significant industry predictions for 2025.

10. Subsea investments

Telstra International, a leading telco organisation, is predicting that subsea investments will continue to invest into submarine network capacity and infrastructure across key connectivity hubs. This significantly includes the Philippines and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

“The Philippines' growth as a strategic connectivity hub has been driven by its evolving regulatory landscape, particularly new regulations like the Public Service Act, which allows 100% foreign ownership and creates a highly favourable operating environment for overseas businesses,” explains Roary Stasko, CEO at Telstra International.

“Tech companies and data centre operators will likely seek markets where they can trade latency for sustainable energy access. This approach could bring Australia closer to Asian markets, potentially emerging as a pivotal Indo-Pacific connectivity hub, though significant investments will be required to successfully navigate this transition.”

9. Sustainable PC design 

E-waste generation is outpacing the rise in formal recycling, which means that refurbishment and the recycling of electronics will become critical for achieving net zero goals and addressing the scarcity of raw materials.

“In 2025, businesses will increasingly seek devices designed for longevity and maximum upgradeability, driving a stronger shift toward a more circular economy and sustainability in the tech industry,” says Mary Jacques, Lenovo’s Executive Director, Global ESG and Regulatory Compliance.

“Sustainable laptop design will focus on modularity for easy repair and upgrades, durable materials to enhance longevity and increased use of recycled or recyclable components to reduce product carbon footprints and improve overall recyclability.”

8. IT spend

According to a forecast by Gartner, European IT spending is expected to hit US$1.28tn in 2025. As a result, 2025 is poised to set a record as the highest growth rate in IT spending in a single year in Europe since the post-pandemic surge in 2021.

“The surge of building out AI-related infrastructure by technology providers is driving high levels of spending on data center systems in Europe,” says John-David Lovelock, VP Analyst at Gartner. “CIOs in Europe will continue investing in public cloud end-user spending, which is estimated to reach US$123bn in 2024, and grow their security spending, projected to reach US$47bn.”

7. eSIM adoption

eSIM adoption is expected to transform consumer roaming, with the technology playing a critical role in bolstering connectivity to high-speed networks. This will be particularly important as 5G continues to expand worldwide.

“I’m convinced eSIMs will start approaching critical mass in the consumer market next year. The butterfly effect of international roaming fees and soaring adoption of eSIM-enabled devices will take their toll on traditional roaming revenues and customer loyalty, spurring consumers towards travel eSIM packages,” comments Gabriel Salvate, Head of Customer Solutions & Presales at BICS. 

6. The era of multi-cloud

In 2025, it is expected that both hybrid and multi-cloud environments will open up a range of opportunities for resellers. Offering platform, infrastructure and end-user services, they are working to reshape IT modernisation, which is inevitably disrupting traditional reseller roles.

“As cloud services expand, resellers are shifting from product sales to managing cloud infrastructure and digital transformation projects,” says Ralf Jordan, Vice President Channel EMEA at Lenovo. 

“The multi-cloud trend, originating in large enterprises, is now penetrating SMEs, offering opportunities across platforms, infrastructure and services. This evolution positions multi-cloud as a dominant strategy for businesses of all sizes.”

5. Fibre deployments

The adoption of fibre is accelerating in 2025, with service providers having to rethink their deployment strategies to overcome high upfront costs, for example. As a result, collaboration between those in the industry will become higher.

“To unlock greater efficiencies, the traditional deployment model will need to evolve,” explains Nir Hollander, General Manager at Amdocs Mobile Networks. “This shift allows each team to focus on their core competencies, reducing costly design errors that currently surface during fieldwork and cause delays. By streamlining operations and optimising workflows, CSPs can bring fibre to market faster and at a lower cost.”

Nir adds: “In 2025, those who adopt this dual-team strategy will be better positioned to meet growing consumer demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity and keep pace with the competitive surge of fibre deployments nationwide.”

4. Hybrid working 

Despite widespread return-to-office mandates, hybrid and remote working is still very prevalent across the networking industry. By 2025, it is expected that investment in reliable, high-performance technology and AI-driven collaboration tools will create more inclusive and flexible working environments. 

“Businesses will increasingly adopt hybrid work models, giving employees the autonomy to choose where and when they work. This shift will be supported by AI-driven tools that enable seamless communication and collaboration across remote and in-office teams,” comments Steve Rafferty, Head of EMEA at Zoom.

These tools will not only enhance productivity but also increase equity by ensuring that employees, no matter where they are, feel equally involved in collaborative efforts.”

3. AI developments

AI is continuing to disrupt the global telco industry, with its platforms continuing to evolve with the business world. The technology is already finding ways to improve network infrastructure and user-facing applications, including via the use of AI agents.

“In 2025, advanced AI agents will completely change how we work, helping us achieve specific outcomes with minimal input. These 'zero effort, zero touch' AI agents will become more mainstream,” says Jurgen Hatheier, International CTO at Ciena.

“Service providers will use AI agents to improve customer experiences, offering empathic and context-aware service. To mitigate errors and hallucinations in AI outputs, businesses will use controlling agents for validation, adding a crucial layer of machine-to-machine verification. While not flawless at first, this represents a step toward greater trust in AI systems.”

2. Sustainability strategy

Investing in a sustainability strategy is a mission-critical priority for telcos, with most major telecom operators in the US and Europe committing to specific sustainability targets like reducing carbon emissions. These ambitious targets focus on reusing, refurbishing and recycling network equipment to meet ESG commitments.

“While many operators have made good progress with recycling or reselling old equipment, the widespread adoption of refurbished equipment is still in its early stages. This shift is a critical step toward achieving a truly circular ecosystem, but it puts OEMs in an increasingly awkward position,” explains David Evans, Head of Asset Recovery & Services at TXO.

“In 2025, OEMs will face mounting pressure to transform their approach. The most forward-thinking companies will find innovative ways to extend the life of their products, likely through collaboration with third-party providers, the adoption of advanced reverse logistics and investment in refurbishment capabilities to address these challenges head-on.”

1. The path towards 6G: Open RAN

Keysight Technologies views Open RAN as being instrumental to aiding the evolution of 6G networks. 

Open and disaggregated network architectures can make the transition to 6G easier by allowing multi-vendor network components to be reused when possible. Likewise, new components can be added to support 6G.

Radio Access Networks, or RAN, refers to a network of radio base stations required to interface with mobile user equipment, including smart phones.

“The idea of virtualising the digital parts of the RAN has driven the industry to work to standardise the resulting disaggregation and to standardise the interfaces between these architectural components,” says Roger Nichols, 6G Program Manager at Keysight Technologies.

“Open RAN and other open standards is seen by many as a necessary step for 6G and thus, further work in the space is happening to move the concepts to the next generation.”

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