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There’s something powerful about being in a room full of people who don’t just share a vision, but are actively building it together.
That’s what stood out to me at DTW Ignite 2025. Not just the energy (which was unmistakable), or the turnout (which was massive), but the tone. This year, the conversations were more grounded, the technologies more deployable, and the focus sharper. We’ve stepped into a new chapter, one where action takes precedence over aspiration.
Across three days in Copenhagen, it became clear that the industry isn’t chasing trends anymore. We’re focused on real outcomes. And what’s encouraging is that we’re seeing them. From AI-led operations to autonomous networks, telcos are not just testing innovation in controlled environments. They are scaling it, integrating it, and delivering measurable value.
A Clear Shift Toward Real-World Execution
One of the biggest shifts I observed was seeing ideas move out of the concept stage and into real-world deployment. In previous years, much of the dialogue centered around potential: what AI could do, how networks might self-heal, and how partnerships should evolve.
This year, that vision felt grounded. We saw intelligent systems actively solving problems, modular IT infrastructures reducing time-to-market, and Catalyst projects showing that innovation, when done right, leads to measurable impact.
A defining example of this shift was the InfraVerse: Breaking Boundaries for XR Sustainability Catalyst, a powerful project we developed in collaboration with Vodafone, Verizon, Celfocus, Esri, Tata Consultancy Services, and Sand Technologies. The project brought together drone data, AI, and 3D digital twins to reimagine how telecom infrastructure is visualized, planned, and managed. Sustainability wasn’t an afterthought; it was embedded from day one.
From enabling faster tower inspections to supporting more efficient site design, the solution delivered both technical innovation and environmental impact. For this project we were named one of the five global finalists in the Outstanding Catalyst Interactive Showcase at TM Forum’s Innovation Awards. This was a proud moment and it reinforced what’s possible when the right mix of collaboration, clarity, and and a shared drive to make meaningful change comes together.
AI and Automation Are Finally Delivering at Scale
Two years ago, autonomous networks were still largely conceptual. Today, they are a necessity.
The rise of self-managing, self-healing systems is driven not by novelty, but by need. With growing network complexity, mounting cost pressures, and increasing demand for reliability, telcos simply cannot rely on manual intervention anymore.
AI is helping networks become more responsive, resilient, and efficient. This includes predictive maintenance, dynamic resource allocation, and intelligent fault resolution. At Cyient, we’ve been investing in exactly this kind of automation. This includes digital twins, smart NOCs, and AI-led service assurance. It was reassuring to see that the path we’re on is very much aligned with where the industry is going.
Empowering People in a Smarter Network Era
Technology wasn’t the only thing evolving at DTW Ignite—people were at the center of the conversation too.
As AI and automation continue to take over repetitive tasks, telcos are shifting focus to how their teams can create more value. It's no longer just about what AI can take over—it's about what people are empowered to focus on instead. As roles shift, the skills in demand are evolving too: from data fluency and AI orchestration to sustainability leadership and advanced analytics.
This is an area where Cyient can offer tremendous value. We do this not just through our platforms and services, but also by helping customers restructure operating models so that human creativity and machine intelligence complement each other.
Sustainability Is Now a Core Design Principle
One of the most encouraging changes I noticed this year was how deeply sustainability is now embedded in strategic conversations. It’s no longer a standalone initiative or a marketing checkbox. It has become a business imperative.
Whether it was energy-efficient network architectures or greener partner ecosystems, the drive to reduce carbon footprints is now influencing design, procurement, and operations alike.
Cyient’s work in energy management for telecom networks, including intelligent infrastructure optimization and sustainable asset lifecycle management, aligns directly with these priorities. And at DTW Ignite, it was clear that this focus is not just valued. It’s expected.
What Customers Are Really Asking?
Across my conversations with partners, customers, and industry leaders, three priorities came through clearly:
- How can we modernize quickly without compromising operational stability?
- How can we reduce cost and complexity while staying agile?
- How can we refocus our people on higher-value work as automation scales?
These aren’t theoretical questions. They’re business-critical. They reflect the real pressures telcos are navigating right now. And while technology plays a critical role, the bigger challenge is one of mindset: embracing open ecosystems, modular architectures, and smarter ways of working.
At Cyient, we are working to be that trusted partner in this shift. Our modular, scalable, AI-driven solutions are designed to reduce friction, enhance adaptability, and free up teams to focus on what matters most.
What’s Next: 12–18 Months of Accelerated Maturity
What stood out at DTW Ignite 2025 was not just the momentum, but the direction. The next 12 to 18 months will be shaped by execution—by putting ideas into motion at scale.
- Autonomous network operations will move from pilots to core practice.
- Deeper integration of AI across planning, operations, and CX
- Sustainability will become a shared priority, woven into infrastructure design, vendor strategy, and day-to-day decision-making.
This is where the gap widens—between those who act with clarity and confidence, and those who hesitate. The ones who move now will shape the next decade of telecom.
DTW Ignite 2025 reinforced what we already believed: the telecom industry is no longer just imagining change, it's delivering it. At Cyient, we’re not just aligned with that momentum—we're contributing to it. And we're committed to helping our partners turn every bold idea into real-world impact.
About the Author
Nuno Taveira is a growth and business development leader focused on bringing innovation, technology, and digital transformation to life. As SVP & Global BU Head for Communications at Cyient, he partners with global telecom players to drive change that improves performance, enables sustainability, and creates meaningful impact—for businesses and for the people they serve.