The telecommunications industry is undergoing a profound transformation, propelled by technological advancements and shifting consumer expectations.

During day two of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Chris Lewis (pictured), founder and managing director of Lewis Insight Ltd., talked with theCUBE analysts as a part of the keynote analysis. Two key themes emerged during the discussion: the evolving dynamics of the telecommunications industry and the pivotal role of artificial intelligence and accessibility in shaping its trajectory.

“If you think of anything that you produce, which is going to touch the market, touch a customer, then it should be accessible,” Lewis said. “There are standards for website design, which make you more accessible … it creates job opportunities.”

Lewis joined theCUBE Research analysts Dave Vellante and Savannah Peterson at MWC Barcelona, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed the pivotal role of AI in driving innovation and enhancing user experiences and the imperative of inclusive design in technological development. (* Disclosure below.)

The changing dynamics of the telecommunications industry

There is a need for adaptation in an era characterized by rapid technological evolution, according to Lewis, who reflected on his extensive experience in telecommunications industry. The industry is shifting toward greater openness and collaboration.

There’s a call for change among heavyweight EU operators, signaling a demand for a new deal amid financial challenges, highlighting the need for a reality check on broadband infrastructure investments, questioning telcos’ past strategies and emphasizing the importance of regulatory frameworks in shaping industry dynamics.

“One of the things that we do always need in the industry is a bit of controversy, a bit of outside pressure,” Lewis added. “We used to be an industry that was always self-contained. What the IT world is teaching us, the cloud world is teaching us and the AI world is teaching us is that you’ve got to be more open.”

Embracing AI and accessibility

The transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing telecommunications was also discussed. The rapid evolution of telecommunications, propelled by advancements such as AI, brings both hope and apprehension, Lewis pointed out. While AI promises to streamline operations and enhance user experiences, concerns linger about its potential to disrupt traditional systems.

“The pace of change has changed,” Lewis said. “It shifted radically for the telcos because we used to have very separate networks to address different solutions. We’ve consolidated that; we’ve collapsed them into a core. AI helps massively in that, because AI can cope with the scale that we as humans can’t cope with.”

The profound impact of AI on user experiences and service delivery means it is important to include inclusive design in technological development, ensuring accessibility for users of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusivity can range from adhering to web design standards to integrating considerations for neurodiversity in programming and coding, Lewis explained.

“Think about the content you’re producing, the message you’re trying to get across, and [think] about all the ways in which you communicate that to people, and make it easy,” he said.

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE Research’s coverage of MWC Barcelona:

(* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for the MWC Barcelona event. No sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE