HCLTech Telecom AI Readiness Survey

HCLTech, in partnership with Mobile World Live, released its Telecom Pulse Survey Report on August 17, 2026. The survey, based on insights from nearly 200 senior telecom executives worldwide, reveals a significant gap between AI ambitions and readiness. While 60% of telecom leaders view AI as a key revenue driver, only 25% believe their organizations are ready to operationalize AI at scale. The report highlights persistent challenges including legacy infrastructure, cloud native modernization, and skills gaps. Nearly 70% of respondents agree that connectivity services are increasingly commoditized, and almost 80% launched fewer than five new digital products in the past year. Ecosystem collaboration with hyperscalers and AI platform providers is seen as critical by nearly half of leaders. Anil Ganjoo, Chief Growth Officer at HCLTech, emphasized the need for telcos to transform into AI-native TechCos.