The top three disruptive trends for service providers’ routing and switching networks in 2026 and how these key trends will play a key role for IP networks in an AI-heavy future.
OM139162
Email Article
All set! This article has been sent to my@email.address.
All fields are required. For multiple recipients, separate email addresses with a semicolon.
Please Note: Only individuals with an active subscription will be able to access the full article. All other readers will be directed to the abstract and would need to subscribe.
2026 Trends to Watch: Service Provider Routing and Switching
These are Omdia driven recommendations based on content that is both similar, and has been frequently visited by other users in combination with the content you are currently viewing.
Omdia Recommends
These are Omdia driven recommendations based on content that is both similar, and has been frequently visited by other users in combination with the content you are currently viewing.
A Blueprint for Modern IP Transport Networks in the AI Era
Report / 14 Feb 2025 / Sameer Ashfaq Malik
This report discusses existing network challenges, highlights service providers’ questions, and recommends a blueprint network architecture for modern IP transport networks for an AI-heavy future.
UPGRADE
Ready or Not? A Survey of Network Readiness Among Service Providers
Survey / 01 Sep 2025 / Sameer Ashfaq Malik
The survey report examines and assesses the telco service providers’ IP transport network readiness for the demands of the AI era. Although progress has been made, many service providers worldwide continue to face obstacles and network shortcomings in supporting AI-driven applications.
UPGRADE
“Technical debt”: The invisible threat to telco AI
Analyst Opinion / 16 Jul 2025 / Sameer Ashfaq Malik
Technical debt—the burden of legacy routers and switches in a fragmented and inflexible IP WAN infrastructure—limits the full potential of telcos in AI. Reducing this technical debt is essential for telcos, and it’s not a one-time project but a strategic transformation that requires ongoing network audits in the AI era.
UPGRADE
AI for IP bearer transport networks
Analyst Opinion / 09 Aug 2023 / Sameer Ashfaq Malik
Autonomous driving networks (ADN) with unified IP routing policy and AI-enabled E2E full lifecycle closed loop automatic intelligent network operations with limited human interventions reduce daunting opex costs and maximize overall business value.
UPGRADE
An error occured. Please try again later
You are now following this Analyst
You unfollowed this Analyst
The Analyst Team
Sameer Ashfaq Malik
Follow AnalystSenior Principal Analyst
Sameer joined Omdia in March 2021. His expertise includes 5G and transport, carrier network E2E solution design, enterprise strategy, IoT smart city, AI-based network orchestrations and automation, and SDN. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, including leadership positions at Huawei, ZTE, and Etisalat.
Most recently, Sameer was responsible for ICT network solutions business development at Huawei for the APAC region. His projects included engaging with carrier planning, strategy, and C-suite groups. He authored many articles and contributed to the ITUT 2016 state broadband report publication. Sameer has established carrier relationships around the globe. In 2019, he received the Huawei Service Provider Employee Ambassador award at company level and was the subject of a short documentary. In 2020, he was recognized as Distinguished Technical Talent by the Australian government. His family recently took up residency in Australia, where they are based in Sydney.
More Content By Sameer Ashfaq MalikBecome A Client
Find out more about our full suite of products and solutions.
Become A ClientYou must sign in to use this functionality
Authentication.SignIn.HeadSignInHeader
These are Omdia driven recommendations based on content that is both similar, and has been frequently visited by other users in combination with the content you are currently viewing.
Omdia Recommends
These are Omdia driven recommendations based on content that is both similar, and has been frequently visited by other users in combination with the content you are currently viewing.
Thank you
Our expert analysts will review your question and the Ask an Analyst team will get back to you. We aim to respond within 24 hours, but we’re often quicker.
Ask an Analyst
Our team of experts are here to answer your questions. From advice on market trends to a query on research point, and everything in between, we want to hear from you.
Ask an analyst is available as part of a subscription. If you'd like access, contact us today.