This is what analysts think will shape 2026 telecommunications

Analysts at the Broadband Nation Expo delved into the biggest trends and issues they expect will shape the telecommunications landscape in 2026. Here's what they said:

• The use of complementary technologies for connectivity has been a key trend that shows no signs of stopping. “We are seeing a lot more complementarity nowadays,” said Brattle Group Principal Paroma Sanyal. This includes large and small operators doubling down on fixed wireless access and the rise of direct-to-device with satellite.

• Berge Ayvazian, senior analyst and consultant at Wireless 20/20, said he focus isn’t the last mile but the “first mile,” the piece of the puzzle from the street to the home. Typically, “the common denominator is Wi-Fi.”

• Access to spectrum—namely the 6 GHz band—will be key for operators looking to deploy Wi-Fi 7, Ayvazian added. He thinks 6 GHz is poised to not only give operators “a huge amount” of bandwidth but also offer them a new way to tap into unlicensed spectrum and extend wireless connectivity.