By John Shelnutt, President and CEO of Fortress Solutions
Bringing together 109,000 attendees from 205 countries, MWC 2025 in Barcelona showcased the latest telecom innovations and hosted discussions shaping the industry’s future. This article highlights key trends and takeaways from the event, including AI-driven advancements in network management and the evolution of private networking amid dynamic market conditions. It also explores the increasing popularity of service layering to expand connectivity options and unlock new revenue opportunities, along with the ongoing transition from legacy distributed telephone switch infrastructure to modern, centralized software-based solutions.
AI-Driven Innovation in Network Management
AI and ML were everywhere at MWC 2025, driving automation, decision-making, and operational efficiency across industries. On display were significant advancements in Generative AI and large language models (LLMs), the latter bolstering AI’s ability to rapidly analyze complex datasets, generate predictive insights, and automate decision-making at scale. Also showcased were next-generation neural networks capable of processing multi-modal data, enabling AI systems to interpret text, images, and real-time sensor inputs with greater accuracy and contextual awareness.
At Fortress Solutions, we are working to integrate these new technologies into our solutions stack. By doing so, we can strategically leverage AI to optimize telecom network maintenance, extend functionality, and cost-effectively support new applications. Instead of abruptly retiring legacy networks, AI-driven solutions have the potential to significantly streamline operations, reduce costs, and drive continuous innovation.
For example, AI-powered ATS tools can help technicians identify root causes, analyze historical logs and diagnostic patterns, and generate predictive insights to rapidly resolve complex network issues. By integrating historic and real-time analytics, these tools will enable proactive maintenance, accelerate mean time to remediation (MTTR), and keep critical legacy components operational while supporting the phased deployment of new or refurbished network hardware and software. Notably, our Signature Repair teams already leverage AI tools and advanced ML algorithms to restore, test, and reintegrate refurbished components with precision, ensuring critical network infrastructure remains reliable.
AI-driven automation can also optimize inventory management by detecting supply chain risks before they affect service availability. As these capabilities evolve, new AI tools will further streamline our 360-degree Global Logistics return material authorization (RMA) process.
In back-office operations, AI will streamline demand forecasting and supply chain optimization, reducing manual workloads while improving efficiency and scalability. Lastly, AI-driven automation is poised to accelerate regulatory reporting and compliance validation, enabling our customers to meet evolving industry standards with minimal overhead.
The Intersection of Private Networking and Dynamic Market Conditions
Two key intersection points stood out for Fortress Solutions at MWC 2025: private networking growth and dynamic market conditions. Many keynote speakers and conference attendees described 2025 as the year private networking will move beyond planning into real-world deployment.
Unsurprisingly, private networking is no longer limited to private 5G, as enterprises adopt fixed wireless, fiber, and hybrid architectures. Discussions at MWC highlighted fixed wireless growth opportunities for private networks, particularly in the U.S. and Canada, where enterprises and service providers seek cost-effective, flexible connectivity.
As private networking evolves, OEMs will require partnerships with managed service providers (MSPs) and system integrators (SIs) to oversee private networking projects, particularly if they lack in-field 5G expertise. As a strategic planning partner, SI, and MSP in private 5G wireless deployments, Fortress Solutions is well positioned at the forefront of this market trend. Our role extends well beyond design, staging, and deployment to include long-term network management, monitoring, and maintenance of radios, access points (APs), switches, routers, and servers.
The second major intersection point is global economic uncertainty, particularly surrounding reciprocal tariffs and evolving trade policies. These dynamic market conditions are prompting businesses to reevaluate spending and prioritize operational efficiencies. At MWC 2025, our FortressONE approach—cost-effectively customizing solutions to meet specific customer requirements—resonated strongly with telecom companies seeking to convert open-ended variable costs into fixed or scalable, pay-as-you-go models.
Service Layering: Expanding Connectivity and Unlocking Market Opportunities
Service layering was another key trend at MWC 2025, with operators describing how they integrated multiple connectivity technologies to expand coverage, optimize performance, and unlock new revenue opportunities.
For example, network operators are deploying private 5G alongside existing Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) infrastructure to improve in-building and campus-wide coverage. This integration enables service providers to introduce managed private networks, bolster indoor 5G connectivity, and cost-effectively support mission-critical enterprise applications.
Similarly, satellite providers are integrating Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) into their service offerings to create hybrid connectivity solutions that seamlessly bridge terrestrial and satellite networks. By deploying FWA infrastructure—such as monopoles or small cells—within residential and enterprise areas, satellite operators can more effectively deliver value-added connectivity solutions in urban and suburban environments.
Notably, proposed changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program could further expand funding eligibility to include FWA and satellite technologies, reinforcing service layering as a scalable strategy for nationwide broadband expansion.
Modernizing Legacy Telephone Switch Infrastructure
Lastly, discussions at MWC 2025 on telecom infrastructure modernization highlighted an ongoing shift—legacy telephone switches, many in operation for over 30 years, are gradually reaching end-of-life. Telecom companies are retiring these distributed, hardware-intensive systems, such as 5ESS and DMS-100, replacing them with centralized, software-driven call control platforms connected to gateways and virtualized infrastructure. By centralizing call processing in server-based environments, service providers reduce physical space requirements, lower power consumption, and streamline network management.
Fortress Solutions actively supports these migration efforts. With decades of expertise in legacy system transitions, we provide skilled personnel for on-site hardware decommissioning and migration services, ensuring a seamless transition to next-generation network architectures.
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