ABI Research analysts will be attending Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona on March 2nd-March 5th to get a glimpse at the biggest innovations shaping the technology sector. In this blog, our analysts share their top expectations for the show, covering connectivity, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital security.
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Have we seen the demise of telco email services? At first glance, it looks like that is fast-approaching. Many telcos have shuttered their email platforms due to declining revenue and competition from cloud-based alternatives. But ABI Research believes that there is another path forward, with third-party email providers playing an essential role. Transitioning telco-branded consumer email services to a credible third-party platform can strike the balance between cost and customer management, while also providing opportunities for revenue generation.
Telecommunications market research is more essential than ever in 2025. The industry is undergoing rapid change, shaping how networks are managed, services are delivered, and customers choose a telco partner. Mobile ecosystem players that fail to pivot accordingly risk missing out on new monetization opportunities and getting leapfrogged by the competition. Qualitative, quantitative, and competitive analyses help industry stakeholders identify the latest telecom trends, gain strategic recommendations, and benchmark against their competitors.
With increasing legal obligations and ambitious net-zero targets set by Communications Service Providers (CSPs), alongside the rapid growth of global connectivity and data demand, these providers are actively seeking ways to enhance sustainability across their operations. Passive cellular antennas, critical elements of telco networks as discussed in our previous article, represent a significant opportunity to improve sustainability through energy efficiency and innovative design that reduce environmental footprint and lengthen the life span of products before replacement. To help achieve their ambitious environmental goals, CSPs must strategically manage antenna deployments and interoperability with other elements of the Radio Access Network (RAN). In fact, the fastest growing subsegment of passive cellular antennas is green and more sustainable antennas, driven by operator requirements for low environmental impact and increasingly tightening legislation.
Page updated on 02/02/2026
Only a select few technology companies can truly claim that innovation is embedded in their corporate DNA. Many others follow the trail blazed by industry giants, striving to replicate their success. In today’s hyper-competitive and rapidly evolving digital world, identifying the most innovative technology companies is crucial for both solution providers looking to benchmark performance and organizations seeking strategic partners.
The ability to lead in innovation not only reflects a company’s technical prowess, but also signals future-readiness, market leadership, and customer-centricity. ABI Research’s Competitive Rankings for 2025 and 2026 provide an unbiased lens into these innovation leaders, offering a nuanced perspective on transformative capabilities across 16 technology segments.
Table of Contents
Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 promises to be a landmark event, marking a dramatic shift in focus from communications to computing. In the midst of this transformation, ABI Research anticipates that the tech show will shine a spotlight on the growing rift between China and the West, with a special focus on how telcos are embracing platforms that can power next-gen applications, especially in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
As we inch closer to Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, network Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs) are a hot ticket item within the telecoms industry. They are a way for telco operators to provide developers with access to network capabilities, enhancing user experience and offering more efficient services, while unlocking new features otherwise not possible. APIs have unlocked opportunities across supply chains, with notable successes including app stores like Apple's and Google's, cloud services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure, and various consumer and enterprise services.
Technological advancements in cellular standards have been the hallmark of MWC for 2 decades, dating back to the 2G and 3G eras. This year, that will change for many reasons:
Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 is fast approaching, and ABI Research will be there once again to witness the latest innovations shaping the future of mobile technology. Based on numerous pre-briefings ahead of Barcelona, our analysts are calling the most dramatic shift in MWC's history: watch the telecoms industry finally shed its old skin. Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not just joining the party, they are taking over the entire show.
