Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the telecom industry but emphasizes the need for telcos to evolve into strategic partners and ecosystem orchestrators to meet customer expectations and drive business outcomes. Core Insights - The telecom industry is shifting from providing basic connectivity to becoming strategic partners that deliver measurable business outcomes, with 74% of organizations expecting telcos to drive results such as revenue growth and operational efficiency, yet only 39% feel their telco currently delivers on this expectation [9][29]. - Organizations are increasingly looking for tailored solutions and expect telcos to demonstrate deep industry knowledge, with 65% willing to pay a premium for customized services, up from 57% in 2024 [11][69]. - There is a significant expectation for telcos to act as ecosystem orchestrators, with 65% of organizations believing their telco should integrate IT, system support, and industry expertise [86][90]. - The demand for advanced network services is rising, with 53% of organizations already using services like SD-WAN and private 5G, and 70% planning to invest in enhanced 5G capabilities in the next one to two years [130][135]. Summary by Sections Growth Partner - Customers want telcos to be strategic partners that understand their industry and deliver measurable outcomes, with 74% expecting accountability for business results [9][28]. - Only 39% of organizations believe their telco drives top-line growth, indicating a gap between expectations and delivery [10][29]. Ecosystem Orchestrator - Organizations expect telcos to coordinate multi-vendor environments, with 65% believing telcos should orchestrate an ecosystem integrating IT and industry expertise [86][90]. - 70% of organizations prefer telcos to innovate and collaborate with hyperscalers and partners rather than compete [92][93]. Network Innovation Architect - Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are seen as essential for expanding service footprints, with 61% of organizations recognizing their role in unlocking new geographic markets [11][116]. - Over half (54%) see potential for NTNs to power IoT ecosystems and machine-to-machine communication [115][121]. AI Transformation Engine - 84% of organizations plan to invest in AI/ML services, with 73% seeking deeper integration of AI with connectivity [14][15]. - However, 72% feel their telco lags behind hyperscalers in AI capabilities, highlighting the need for partnerships and outcome-focused offers [15][19]. Trusted Ally - Investments in sovereign cloud and AI are growing, with 52% of organizations planning to invest in sovereign cloud within two years [15][19]. - 76% plan AI-driven security investments, but only 51% are satisfied with their telco's AI-driven cybersecurity offerings [19][19]. Personalized Experience Provider - Organizations demand seamless digital customer experiences, with 64% deeming it important, yet 65% find the buying process too complex [18][19]. - Customers prefer solution-led selling, with 68% wanting integrated solutions, but only 46% see sufficient expertise in sales [19][19].