Telefónica and Mavenir have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create an AI Innovation Hub: a joint laboratory designed to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into the evolution of core network, the most critical part of an operator’s “brain.” The announcement comes at a time when the telecom sector is trying to transition from increasingly virtualized networks to more autonomous networks capable of self-optimization with less human intervention, without turning each change into a delicate and slow operation.
The idea behind the Hub is clear: test in a controlled environment what must later work in production, emulating real traffic patterns. This allows for developing, validating, and fine-tuning advanced capabilities before large-scale commercial deployment. In other words: fewer PowerPoint promises and more “test benches” that mimic the conditions of a live network with users, peaks, and complexity.
Why the core network is the battlefield for automation
The “core” isn’t just any layer. It hosts functions that support services like voice, messaging, mobile connectivity, client authentication, session management, and increasingly, exposing network capabilities to digital services. Touching the core is touching the nerve center: if something goes wrong, the impact isn’t just a brief outage on a corporate website but a massive degradation of services.
That’s why the focus on AI isn’t just about “putting a chatbot in the operator,” but about moving towards intent-based networks and autonomous orchestration: enabling the network to interpret objectives (“I need to prioritize this type of traffic,” “I want to guarantee a service level in this area,” “I want to optimize energy costs without breaking latency”) and translate them into automated, measurable, and reversible actions. Telefónica and Mavenir explicitly mention use cases such as AI-driven autonomous orchestration, intent-based services, and AI-enabled monetization frameworks within the Hub.
From “operating the network” to “driving results”
The interesting shift is cultural and operational: years of success measurement in the sector have focused on technical KPIs (alarms, tickets, intervention times). With AI, the focus shifts toward systems that “learn, anticipate, and adapt” in real-time. Telefónica and Mavenir present the Hub as a step toward networks that are intelligent, autonomous, and self-optimizing, aligned with the vision of turning the network into an “intent-aware” digital platform capable of predicting needs and executing automated actions.
In this context, AI doesn’t replace engineering teams; it changes the work. Less reactive operation, less “firefighting,” and more policy design, quality control of automations, model validation, and decision auditing. Here’s a key detail often overlooked: for automation to be credible in critical networks, it must be explainable, governable, and secure.
The promise (and risk) of exposing open interfaces
Mavenir highlights a point linked to modern telecom trends: by exposing network capabilities via open interfaces, AI can turn the network into a programmable services platform. This opens the door to faster digital product launches and potentially new revenue sources — a strategic goal in telecom.
But it also raises technical questions that often determine whether a project scales or remains a pilot:
- How is the scope of automation controlled? (what can be touched and what cannot)
- How do you prevent a “locally correct” decision from causing a domino effect?
- How are automatic decisions audited when incidents occur?
- How is all this integrated with compliance, data privacy, and security?
Telefónica and Mavenir emphasize that this collaboration will promote leading practices in AI, data security, and regulatory compliance, as well as technical leadership and participation in sector forums.
MWC 2026: live demonstration and market message
The announcement isn’t just a press release. Both companies plan a live demo at the Mobile World Congress 2026 (Barcelona, March 2–5, 2026, Hall 2, stand 2H60), showcasing next-generation use cases with AI-enhanced communications, autonomous service exposure, and intention-driven operations.
This is a significant gesture: MWC is the showcase for technological credibility in telecom. Demonstrating something in operation — even in a controlled environment — sends a clear message: “We’re serious about core automation.”
What’s truly at stake: speed without losing control
From an outside perspective, it might seem like just another agreement. Internally, it reflects a tension across the sector: networks are becoming too complex to operate as before, but at the same time, they are too critical for “blind innovation.” A hub focused on testing with emulated traffic in a realistic environment aims to close this gap: accelerate innovation without turning each deployment into a leap into the unknown.
There’s also a competitive aspect: if networks become programmable platforms, the difference between operators won’t be just coverage or price. It will be the ability to launch services, automate operations securely, and turn connectivity into a more “composable,” integrable, and measurable asset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “core network” mean in telecommunications, and why is it so critical?
The core is the set of systems managing essential functions (session control, authentication, voice/data services, routing, and policies). Changes to the core can affect millions of users, which is why innovation tends to be slower and tightly controlled.
What is an “intent-based” network, and why is it such a hot topic with AI?
“Intent-based” involves expressing goals (the intent), and the network interprets those into configurations and automated actions. AI helps interpret context, optimize decisions, and react to variations in real-time.
How can AI enhance telecom network operations without increasing risks?
In theory, through governed automation: pre-deployment testing, operational boundaries, observability, audit trails, change control, and rollback mechanisms. This underscores the importance of labs like the AI Innovation Hub before large-scale deployments.
What should we expect to see at MWC 2026 regarding this collaboration?
Telefónica and Mavenir announced a live demo in Barcelona (March 2–5, 2026) focused on use cases such as AI-augmented communications, autonomous service exposure, and intent-driven operations.
via: telefónica