Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a common keyword among global telecommunications companies. Faced with growth limitations in their core telecommunications operations, they are seeking to seize opportunities in overseas markets by promoting AI as a new growth driver. However, there are concerns that, because telecommunications companies may find it difficult to establish global technological competitiveness outside their core business, their efforts could result in nothing more than a 'show of presentation.'
According to industry sources on the 7th, global telecommunications companies showcased a range of AI businesses and technologies at the world's largest mobile exhibition, Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, held this month in Barcelona, Spain.
Japan's SoftBank presented its AI LAN solution 'AITRAS,' which utilizes telecommunications base stations for AI computing. The American telecommunications company Verizon also unveiled a solution called 'Verizon AI Connect' to help manage AI computing using base stations and revealed an AI network solution that combines the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform with its 5G network.
Germany's Deutsche Telekom stated, 'We are transforming into an AI company,' adding that it is developing an AI smartphone in collaboration with Silicon Valley AI startup Perplexity, which it plans to unveil in the second half of the year. Deutsche Telekom is reportedly planning to sell the AI smartphone it developed in Europe.
Deutsche Telekom's subsidiary and one of the top three U.S. telecommunications companies, T-Mobile, unveiled the AI agent 'Magenta AI.' T-Mobile also introduced a customized AI customer service platform called 'IntentCX,' developed in collaboration with OpenAI. T-Mobile is ramping up its AI business, including establishing an AI LAN Innovation Center in collaboration with NVIDIA, Nokia, and Ericsson.
British telecommunications company Vodafone has formed a strategic partnership with American Microsoft (MS) and plans to invest $1.5 billion in the development of AI services for its customer base. This strategy aims to expand market presence in Europe and Africa by promoting AI-based digital services.
Domestic telecommunications companies are also working to explore overseas markets for the AI services they have developed. LG Uplus announced its expansion into the Middle East with its AI agent service 'ixi-O' at MWC 2025. SK Telecom also recently unveiled an AI agent for overseas markets called 'Esther' and aims for commercial rollout in the U.S. by starting a closed beta test this month.
The reason both domestic and foreign telecommunications companies are focusing on AI instead of their core business is due to the stagnation of the domestic market. An industry source noted, 'In most developed countries, basic telecommunications services are already widely provided. The number of mobile phone subscribers has reached saturation, and the number of new subscribers is hardly increasing, making further growth difficult. AI, as a new business, can expand beyond the domestic market to overseas, which is why telecommunications companies are betting their lives on it.'
However, there are concerns that AI may hinder the technological competitiveness of telecommunications companies, as it is not their core business. An adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Communication at Chung-Ang University said, 'Although telecommunications companies in various countries claim they will grow their AI business and expand overseas, they will ultimately be limited to domestic operations due to a lack of technological competitiveness. Because these companies lack original AI technologies, they will have no choice but to rely on external corporations, and when attempting to enter overseas markets, they will need permission from firms possessing original AI technologies.'
He added, 'For global telecommunications companies that can cultivate original technologies and offer differentiated AI services, AI will become a stepping stone for growth, but those unable to do so will find themselves in a situation where they are merely fattening up big tech companies through their AI business, which is akin to 'serving food to dogs.'