Juniper Research Identifies Key Trends Set to Shape Telecom Through 2026
In a recent press release, Juniper Research has announced its Top 10 Telecoms & Connectivity Trends 2026, a whitepaper outlining the various factors expected to influence global telecom strategies in 2026. The report evaluates developments ranging from AI operations to satellite connectivity integration, showing where “operators, vendors, and investors must act next”.
“This year’s trends demonstrate how telecoms is moving beyond infrastructure towards intelligence, as automation, security, and customer experience become central to growth,” said Sam Barker, VP of Telecoms Market Research at Juniper Research. “Operators can no longer compete on network strength alone. Success now depends on how intelligently they use emerging technologies to deliver value, efficiency, and trust across every layer of connectivity.”
Top 10 Trends Identified
Juniper Research’s analysts ranked the following forces for their expected impact on telecom in 2026:
- AI agents reevaluating customer interaction at scale
- Convergence of MVNOs and travel eSIM services to meet roaming demand
- RCS business messaging becoming significant in fraud-prevention
- Growing partnerships between digital marketing agencies and CPaaS platforms
- Multi-orbit satellite networks providing the groundwork for next-generation connectivity
- Convergence of messaging and voice verification for enterprise security
- Increased MVNO growth across new major industries
- Acceleration of 6G research, particularly around terahertz spectrum innovation
- Rapid adoption of Know Your Customer (KYC) APIs across digital services
- Streamlined consumer eSIM provisioning to meet market shifts
A short video highlighting the top three trends is available on Juniper Research’s YouTube channel.