With its recent recommendations for the wider deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has set the stage for a major transformation in India’s telco industry. According to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, AI is poised to become the driving force behind industry-changing advancements.
According to GlobalData's Indian telecom operators country intelligence study, India’s telco industry is expected to reach $41.1 billion by 2026, reflecting a 2.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). This momentum sets the scenario for the convergence of AI and telecommunications, providing operators with a distinct competitive advantage when they embrace and fully utilize AI technology.
Shri Charan Padala, principal analyst in the thematic intelligence team at GlobalData, comments, “As data volumes surge, network capacity struggles to keep pace with the escalating demand. However, with strategic implementation of AI in crucial areas like network management, the sector can elevate its quality of service (QoS), optimize spectrum management, enhance network security and bolster overall reliability.”
One of the most significant benefits of AI in telecommunications is its capacity to develop self-optimizing networks that can adapt quickly to fluctuating traffic loads. Telcos can discover and fix network anomalies quickly by employing powerful AI technologies, considerably reducing the risk of service outages.
Furthermore, AI provides a compelling solution to the growing problem of SIM card swapping fraud, which has resulted in financial losses due to unlawful transactions. Advanced technologies such as embedded SIM (eSIM) have shown promise in risk mitigation by eliminating the physical SIM card's vulnerability to tampering and misuse. When integrated with AI, telcos acquire the potential to combat fraudulent operations proactively.
AI systems effectively identify suspicious transactions by utilizing automated monitoring and real-time analysis, allowing for prompt countermeasures to stop potential fraudsters. In addition, AI's capabilities go beyond reactive measures, enabling continuous monitoring and enhancement of SIM security features, guaranteeing that users' data remains secure.