New Initiative Positions Telefónica at Forefront of Intelligent Network Automation and Monetization Innovation

New Initiative Positions Telefónica at Forefront of Intelligent Network Automation and Monetization Innovation

(IN BRIEF) Telefónica and Mavenir have agreed to establish a joint AI Innovation Hub focused on integrating artificial intelligence into telecom core networks and advancing autonomous, cloud-native operations. The lab will serve as a real-world testing environment for technologies including AI-driven orchestration, intent-based services, and new monetization models, enabling validation ahead of commercial deployment. The collaboration supports Telefónica’s vision of transforming its network into a programmable, self-optimizing platform while aligning both companies on innovation, security, and industry leadership, with live demonstrations planned at Mobile World Congress 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 20-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Telefónica and Mavenir Systems Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a joint AI Innovation Hub aimed at accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into next-generation telecom core networks. The collaboration will function as a practical development and validation environment for AI-driven capabilities designed to reshape how operators build, manage, and monetize network infrastructure.

The AI Innovation Hub will operate as a real-world testbed where technologies such as autonomous network orchestration, intent-based service delivery, and AI-enabled monetization models can be designed, tested, and refined before commercial rollout. By replicating production-level traffic scenarios within a controlled setting, the initiative enables both companies to validate performance, scalability, and operational readiness of advanced solutions.

Advancing Toward Intelligent, Self-Optimizing Networks

The partnership reflects a shared ambition to move telecom networks toward intelligent, adaptive systems capable of learning from data, predicting user requirements, and automating operational responses in real time. Embedding cloud-native AI capabilities throughout the network stack is intended to transform the core into a programmable digital platform that can dynamically translate business and customer intent into automated actions.

This approach supports Telefónica’s broader strategy to evolve its infrastructure into an autonomous, service-aware environment capable of delivering new enterprise and consumer applications while improving efficiency and responsiveness.

Joint Focus on Innovation, Compliance, and New Business Models

Beyond technology development, the two companies plan to collaborate on best practices in AI governance, data security, and regulatory alignment. The initiative will also include coordinated marketing activities, technical thought leadership, and participation in industry forums to help shape emerging standards and commercial frameworks for AI-native telecommunications.

By combining Telefónica’s operational expertise with Mavenir’s cloud-native platforms and open interface architecture, the partners aim to accelerate the deployment of AI-powered services and unlock new revenue opportunities through programmable network capabilities.

Live Demonstrations Planned at Mobile World Congress 2026

The companies will present live demonstrations of the joint innovation work at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, showcasing use cases such as AI-enhanced communications, autonomous service exposure, and intent-driven network operations. The demonstrations are designed to illustrate how AI can enable faster service creation, improved automation, and more flexible digital service delivery.
Visit our teams in Hall 2 (Stand 2H60) to see how Telefónica and Mavenir are accelerating the evolution toward autonomous, AI-native networks. Contact us to reserve a meeting with our team of experts at #MWC26 https://www.mavenir.com/mwc-2026/#request-a-meeting-mwc

For more information: Telefónica at MWC 2026

About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the world’s leading telecommunications service providers, with the mission of delivering the best digital experience to its customers. The company offers fixed and mobile connectivity as well as a wide range of digital services for residential and business customers. With more than 350 million customers, Telefónica’ s main markets are Spain, Brazil, Germany and the UK.

About Mavenir
Mavenir is enabling intelligent, automated, programmable networks through the development of telco-first, cloud-native, AI-by-design software solutions for mobile operators. The company’s deep telco domain expertise has been proven through deployments with 300+ operators globally in over 120 countries, which together serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers.
Mavenir combines its deep telco experience with the cloud and IT expertise and data science skillsets essential to solving real customer challenges. Its proven software solutions are AI by design, delivering the AI-native future and operators’ evolution to TechCos.

Media Contact:

Dirección de Comunicación Corporativa
email: prensatelefonica@telefonica.com
telefonica.com/en/communication-room/

SOURCE: Telefónica