HCLTech Report: Telecom Leaders See AI as Revenue Driver, But Only 25% Ready to Scale

A new report by HCLTech and Mobile World Live reveals that while 60% of telecom leaders identify AI as a key future revenue driver, only 25% feel their organizations are ready to deploy AI at scale. This "execution gap" hinders the shift from traditional telcos to AI-native TechCos, with challenges in legacy infrastructure, cloud modernization, and skills slowing progress. The report also highlights the commoditization of connectivity services, with nearly 70% of respondents agreeing, underscoring the need for differentiated digital services. Innovation velocity remains constrained, with 80% launching fewer than five new digital products annually. Ecosystem collaboration, particularly with hyperscalers and AI platform providers, is seen as crucial for accelerating innovation and monetization. Despite this, success metrics are still heavily focused on cost optimization.