HCLTech Telecom Survey: AI Ambition Meets Execution Gap

Key Highlights HCLTech highlighted a significant gap between AI ambitions and execution readiness in the global telecom sector. The findings are based on responses from nearly 200 senior telecom executives worldwide, while HCLTech's consolidated revenue for the 12 months ending June 2026 stood at $14.8 billion. Survey Insights • 60% of telecom leaders identify AI as a key driver of future revenue. • Only 25% believe their organizations are ready to operationalize AI at scale. • Nearly 70% agree that connectivity services are increasingly commoditized. • Nearly 80% of telecom companies launched fewer than five new digital products or services in the past year. • Nearly half of telecom leaders consider partnerships with hyperscalers, AI platform providers and software vendors essential for accelerating innovation. • Key challenges include legacy infrastructure, cloud-native modernization and skills shortages. What It Means • Strong AI expectations indicate a potential shift in future telecom revenue models. • The large gap between AI ambition and operational readiness highlights significant execution challenges. • Increasing commoditization of connectivity could push telecom companies toward higher-value digital services. Market Impact Impact: Neutral to Positive The survey highlights significant opportunities for AI-driven transformation in telecom, but also shows that most companies are not yet ready to operationalize AI at scale. For technology providers such as HCLTech, this execution gap could create demand for modernization and digital transformation services. Learning Outcome AI Adoption Gap refers to the difference between a company's intention to use AI and its ability to deploy it effectively at scale. Strong AI spending or ambition does not automatically translate into revenue growth; infrastructure, talent, partnerships and execution capabilities are critical.