AI services offer telcos fresh revenue opportunities – GSMA
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readThe GSMA reports that telecommunications operators have a strategic opportunity to generate new revenue by managing and optimizing AI services for consumers and businesses. By moving beyond basic connectivity, operators can leverage their existing billing and infrastructure to become essential intermediaries in the AI economy.
Context & Background
- ✦Telecom operators are shifting from internal AI efficiency improvements to external commercialization of AI consumption.
- ✦The rise of AI-powered applications has introduced 'tokens' as a new unit of digital consumption, similar to voice minutes or mobile data.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Kenechi Okeleke, Director of Regional, Social and Policy Research at GSMA Intelligence, emphasizes the need for operators to define their position in the AI value chain.•Over 200 telecom operators globally are currently offering enterprise copilots and conversational AI tools.
Outlook & Next Steps
Operators must urgently develop commercial strategies and network capabilities, such as edge processing and network APIs, to avoid being relegated to low-margin connectivity providers in an increasingly competitive AI landscape.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- Telecom operators can transition beyond traditional connectivity by monetizing AI consumption through token-based billing models.
- The GSMA identifies infrastructure, models, and solutions as the three primary areas where operators are currently expanding their AI business footprints.
- Operators face a narrowing window of opportunity to capture AI market share as they compete against established hyperscalers and AI-native companies.
Key Facts:Beginning of 2024 to March 2026: Average daily token usage in China grew significantly between the start of the year and the end of the first quarter.20 to 30 per cent: China Mobile's MoMA platform demonstrated the ability to reduce token costs for users.
Editorial Excerpt
Telecommunications operators can unlock new revenue streams by helping businesses and consumers manage and optimise AI services, says the GSMA.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
How do AI tokens differ from traditional mobile data usage?
Unlike gigabytes, the value of AI tokens depends on the specific AI model, the complexity of the task, and whether they represent input, output, cached context, or reasoning.
What is the 'control layer' in the context of telecom AI services?
It involves operators helping businesses manage AI services across multiple providers by offering model aggregation, intelligent routing, cost control, and governance compliance.
