STL Partners

I've enjoyed sharing and celebrating innovation we found over the last half a year. At the end of 2024, here is our team's pick of cheeky, wonderful and unexpected services 🎄 Kerina Naran, PhD , George Glanville #telco #innovation #celebrate

In 2024, we saw innovation across many areas, with telcos exploring a plethora of opportunities to gain more attention from consumers. In December, we added five services to the Consumer innovation tracker in the areas of pet care, energy, cybersecurity, immersive platforms and marketplaces. These are being delivered by operators around the world such as TELUS, Globe Telecom and VEON. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eU5QKpvZ #telecommunications #telecoms #telcos #innovation

GenAI momentum continues in telecoms The adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) in telecoms is growing, highlighting its transformative impact on the industry. Telcos are integrating AI into operations and developing innovative solutions for enterprise clients. Key trends include a focus on in-house large language models, multi-model platforms, and the emergence of telco-specific solutions, signalling a dynamic shift in the sector. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eDXdev5Z #telecommunications #telecoms #telcos #GenAI #AI #artificialintelligence

Telcos must take risks in consumer innovation  Operators must venture beyond traditional connectivity to stay ahead and unlock growth. This requires a willingness to take risks and accept that not every initiative will succeed—where failure is a vital part. STL Partners’ Consumer innovation tracker provides in-depth insights into the innovative services offered by telcos worldwide, highlighting operators who are reshaping the consumer experience and setting industry trends. Read highlights from Telefónica, Virgin Media O2 & Elisa: https://lnkd.in/eA6sCuar #telecommunications #telecoms #telcos #innovation

Finding value from AI, analytics and automation in the telco In this report, we update our model of the financial value of adding AI, analytics and automation (A3) into a telco’s processes. This report focuses on the impact A3 can have in the BSS, channels, marketing and sales, and has a particular focus on the impact of new GenAI capabilities in these areas. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFKuki8N #telecommunications #telecoms #AI #automation #analytics

Edge computing is a key enabling technology for AI and GenAI - and AI momentum has fuelled $6 billion of investment into edge computing technologies in 2024. In STL's latest Guide to Edge Computing for Investors we identify key acquirers, investors, and customers likely to shape the edge computing landscape in 2025 - and explain what’s motivating their investments. Some of our predictions include: 𝟭. 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Companies that have received funding under Europe’s IPCEI Cloud initiative and the Biden-Harris Administration’s Microelectronics Commons will reach minimum viable product stage and begin to look for external funding. 𝟮. 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲. Expect more deals such as H&M’s investment in Avassa, ABB’s investment in Pratexo and Sainsbury's strategic partnership with NCR Voyix Edge. 𝟯. 𝗨𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲. This is especially relevant in regions with ageing grids, transmission constraints, or capacity challenges, including Europe, the US, and Japan. The issue of the UK's ageing grid for renewable energy consumption was actually featured on BBC Breakfast this morning.   If you’d like to see the rest of the slides in the deck and discuss how STL can support you in securing investments or identifying the right targets, reach out!

Telco innovation has not stopped! Before we go 'ho-ho-ho', I'd like to share the latest picks from our Telco Consumer Innovation Tracker. None of these three services is in the "weird and wonderful" category (although with Kerina Naran, PhD we LOVE getting some of those too!)- but these three are all in established areas, and we expect each to make a difference. Check out: 👉 Telefónica's crypto-wallet - whether you are a fan of cryptocurrency or not, plenty is going on in this domain 👉 Virgin Media O2 cyber-granny - an (artificially) intelligent scam-fighter, of which we need more in the future 👉 Elisa's smart energy solution for households- the importance of raising sustainability in household energy management needs no explanation We expect to see more such activity in the future.

Telcos dig for value beyond connectivity As the telecom landscape shifts, operators must push beyond traditional connectivity and embrace new services to remain relevant and drive growth. STL Partners’ Consumer innovation tracker delivers in-depth insights into innovative digital services offered by telcos worldwide, spotlighting operators who are redefining the consumer experience and setting trends that can inspire the industry. Read highlights from KDDI Corporation, Dialog Axiata PLC and Yettel.Bulgaria: https://lnkd.in/eKrMRTBH #telecommunications #telecoms #telcos

We just completed the fieldwork for our cybersecurity survey of IT decision-makers in small and medium companies (SMBs). Here are some top-line findings, while my colleague Nicola Warren and I crunch the full data set: 👉 SMBs recognise the importance of cybersecurity at a level that surprised me positively. 👉 But being small, they don't often have the expertise to manage cybersecurity internally: only about 1 in 3 companies has a cyber expert. So they need help. (This wasn't surprising!) 👉 The spending is low, especially among the smaller companies, but the vast majority expect to grow it next year. 👉 SMBs have a lot of frustrations, challenges and worries when it comes to cybersecurity. Ensuring employees behave responsibly tops the chart, but the list is long. 👉 How SMBs buy cybersecurity varies a lot, but they take advice from a number of players- and that's an opportunity for those who want to be more active in this market segment. 👉 Price is very important but it is *not* the most important factor when choosing a supplier. 👉 Telcos have every chance to play in this market: cybersecurity propositions could be a reason for SMBs to switch telco suppliers. Please get in touch, if you would like to discuss this topic- I personally find it fascinating! #telco #cybersecurity #SMB #SME

AI in networks: Energy saver or carbon driver? Find out what industry experts Jukka-Pekka Salmenkaita, Elisa, Jérôme Goulard, Orange Business and Amy Cameron, STL Partners have to say at the live Telco Sustainability Forum. It's not too late to join the session 👉 https://hubs.ly/Q02_6WTB0