Telecoms World Asia 2026 to Address AI Profitability and Network Investment Challenges

Telecom Business Review | Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Telecommunications companies across Asia are reassessing how network expansion translates into commercial returns. Infrastructure investment remains necessary, but the pressure to improve profitability has placed greater scrutiny on technology spending and business models. These concerns will guide Telecoms World Asia 2026, scheduled for October 27 and 28 at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre, CentralWorld, Bangkok.

Organized by Terrapinn, the conference enters its 20th year with more than 1,500 telecommunications professionals expected to participate. The event will feature over 130 speakers and more than 120 sponsors and exhibitors. Executives from mobile network operators and technology providers will examine the commercial challenges facing Asia's telecommunications industry.

Generative AI will receive particular attention during the opening keynote, which will examine whether operators can convert AI investments into measurable profits. Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Group CEO of Telekom Malaysia, and Rajeev Sethi, President Director and CEO of XLSMART, will join industry executives to discuss the financial implications of AI adoption. The session will focus on moving beyond experimentation toward commercially viable applications.

Network modernization presents another challenge as telecommunications providers consider the transition from 5G to 5G-Advanced and eventually 6G. Bhupinder Singh of Vodafone Business International will examine the implementation gaps associated with these developments. The discussion will address how operators can approach future network investments while managing existing infrastructure commitments.

Autonomous network management will also feature in the program, alongside cybersecurity concerns surrounding AI adoption. The second day's “Man + Machine” keynote will examine how telecommunications leadership is adapting to AI-driven business models. Representatives from Deutsche Telekom and True Corporation will contribute perspectives on the organizational changes accompanying this transition.

The exhibition will bring together technology providers including China Telecom and CommScope, alongside Equinix and NTT DATA. Their participation will complement discussions on network infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Telecom Business Review is serving as a media partner because the conference directly addresses subjects central to its editorial coverage, particularly network infrastructure and telecommunications technology investment. Its readership includes industry executives evaluating connectivity solutions and technology developments. Coverage of the conference can extend these discussions beyond Bangkok by examining their implications for network modernization and commercial performance.

The conference will provide an opportunity to assess how Asian telecommunications companies intend to balance infrastructure development against profitability expectations. Its emphasis on AI investment returns and network evolution reflects the business decisions that will influence the industry's next phase of development.

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