Telecom service providers are at a critical juncture as growing demands push them to fast-track virtualization and modernize their infrastructure—strategic moves that will determine their competitiveness in an AI- and 5Gpowered landscape. This research report from Fierce Network explores how telecom operators are reassessing their networks to adopt cloud-native technologies and AIdriven architectures. The report features perspectives from industry leaders including Red Hat, Orange Business, MetTel, and Proximus.