BARCELONA, Spain, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At MWC 2026, Andy Hicks, Senior Principal Analyst for GlobalData, released the white paper Reinventing Voice: A Converged, AI-Enabled, and Multimodal Voice Core for the Next Generation of Telecommunications. The white paper highlights that in the AI era, operators can leverage a fully converged voice network to innovate AI services and redefine the value of voice services.
Fully Converged Voice Network: The Optimal Choice for Operators Managing Multi-Generation Networks
As 5G-A accelerates, the evolution of global network standards remains uneven. Although 2G and 3G networks are reaching their end of life, some operators are required to maintain them to support essential services like M2M communication and international roaming. In this context, a fully converged voice network capable of handling 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G services is becoming essential for operators. Such a network addresses the operational challenges posed by lifecycle issues and sets the stage for seamless future evolution.
Facing the global shift towards containerization, the fully converged architecture facilitates a smooth transition from VMs to containers. This approach allows operators to lower their TCO while sustaining continuous innovation and agile updates to voice services.
AI + Voice: Transforming Operators' Voice Value in Three Stages
The rapid advancement of AI presents new opportunities for voice service innovation. Andy Hicks believes that the deep integration of AI and voice can be achieved through three key stages.
First, AI is utilized to improve the basic call experience and create a competitive edge over OTT applications. Typical examples include intelligent noise suppression and enhanced spatial audio immersion, elevating calls to a more sophisticated level of communication.
Next, AI is integrated into audio channels to introduce innovative features like real-time translation and intelligent call summaries. These services do not impose additional requirements on terminals. Operators can quickly deploy these services to gain a first-mover advantage in AI-driven voice innovations.
Finally, AI is integrated into video and data channels to advance voice innovation from single-modal to multimodal, enabling services like interactive customer support and healthcare assistants, and realizing the concept of Call-as-a-Service.
Andy Hicks stressed that operators should capitalize on the opportunities presented by AI. By leveraging a fully converged voice network as a foundation, they can foster service innovation and fully rejuvenate the core value of voice services, driven by the dual advancements of 5G-A and AI.
Click to read the white paper: LINK
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