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ARTICLE SAMENA TRENDS
ARTICLE
Where 5G-A Meets AI: A New Era for Telecoms Smarter
Networks, Smarter Services: The 5G-A & AI Synergy
Introduction: The Convergence That’s Changing Telecom
As telecom operators transition from basic connectivity providers
to digital experience enablers, two powerful forces are reshaping
their journey: 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
. While 5G-A delivers the next evolution in network performance –
with higher speeds, improved uplink, slicing, integrated sensing and
many other new advanced capabilities – AI provides the intelligent
cognitive layer that enables intelligent automation, prediction, per-
sonalization & new business models across every telecom function.
The convergence of 5G-A and AI is more
than just a technology upgrade – it’s a
strategic enabler that delivers measurable
benefits across the telco value chain. From
reducing operating costs to unlocking new
revenue streams, early adopters are already
realizing the returns of building intelligent,
AI-native 5G-A networks
Separately, both technologies are transformational. But together,
they create a compounding effect: networks that not only move fast-
er – but think faster, respond smarter, and monetize better . Telcos
across the globe – from South Korea to Kuwait – are beginning to
embed AI into the very fabric of 5G-A infrastructure, unlocking new
business models, operational savings, and radically improved user
Abhinav Purohit experiences.
Chief Expert, Middle East & Central Asia Region,
Business & Strategy Consulting This write-up tried to explore what 5G-A and AI mean in the telecom
context, how their relationship is shaping the next wave of telecom
innovation, and what telcos are doing today to ride this intelligent
revolution.
What is 5G-A and What is AI (in the Telco Context)?
Understanding 5G-Advanced
5G-A (Release 18 and beyond in 3GPP terminology) represents the
next significant evolution in 5G networks. While early 5G deploy-
ments focused on enhanced mobile broadband and foundational
connectivity, 5G-A is where the real power of 5G begins to material-
ize – through enhanced performance, intelligence, and adaptability.
Thus, in a sense, 5G-A moves 5G closer to 6G.
86 JUNE-JULY 2025
