In this podcast, Research Partners Caroline Gabriel, Chris Baugh and Tom Rebbeck discuss the key topics that we will cover in our research in 2026. They explore spectrum, AI and why the telecoms industry may be ‘losing its religion’. Caroline, Chris and Tom also share the one thing that they will be watching most closely in 2026.

Learn more about our research and insights here: https://www.analysysmason.com/what-we-do/practices/research/

The space industry is entering a decisive phase as satellite connectivity, government investment and new commercial models move from experimentation to large-scale deployment. In this podcast episode, Christopher Baugh, Partner and Head of Space Research, is joined by Antoine Grenier, Partner and Head of Space Consulting, alongside Lluc Palerm and Claude Rousseau, Research Directors in Analysys Mason’s space practice. They discuss why 2026 will mark a year of adoption and scaling for the space sector, including the accelerating integration of satellite and terrestrial networks; rising demand for direct-to-device services; increasing government focus on sovereignty and control; and the implications of growing investment, consolidation and infrastructure build-out across the space value chain. Read the full predictions here: Predictions for the space industry in 2026. Watch the video episode here: Predictions for the space industry in 2026

At Analysys Mason, we celebrate every successful deal. In 2025, we supported over 210 deals across a range of technology-enabled services, from traditional telecoms and digital infrastructure to emerging sectors like space, IT services and software. It has been a year of growth, collaboration and transformation, as we have strengthened ties with the investment community and embraced new business models.

In this podcast episode, Alessandro Ravagnolo, Partner, is joined by Charles Murray, Partner, as they delve into the Analysys Mason technology, media and telecoms (TMT) merger and acquisition (M&A) predictions for 2026. They explore how TMT investors will navigate the evolving landscape of market consolidation, the impact of new technologies like AI and the strategic decisions that will shape the industry’s future. Join us as we look ahead to another year of bold ideas, strategic partnerships and transformative deals.

Explore all of our M&A predictions

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Telecoms operators will face critical strategic decisions in 2026 as AI investment reshapes the communications infrastructure landscape and intensifies pressure on traditional network economics.

In this episode, Alessandro Ravagnolo, Partner, is joined by Caroline Gabriel, Partner, and Charles Murray, Partner, to discuss how telecoms operators should respond as capital requirements for AI and digital infrastructure increase. They explore the investment decisions that operators must make, the implications for network ownership and infrastructure strategy, and whether market consolidation will be essential to achieving scale and sustainable returns. Read the associated full predictions: Telecoms operators will battle for position as their infrastructure capex is dwarfed by spending on AI

France is likely to be the next major European market to go from four to three mobile operators in 2026

In this podcast, Gilles Monniaux, Principal at Analysys Mason, speaks with Ahmed Haddad, Technical Advisor at Arcep, about the French regulator’s approach to the evolution of wireless networks and digital sustainability. They begin by discussing a study conducted by Analysys Mason on behalf of Arcep on the evolution of the uses of wireless telecoms networks and on the dimensioning of those networks. They also explore digital sustainability and how Arcep incorporates it into its work. Topics include:

• the potential evolution of wireless network use cases (evolution of demand)
• the ability of wireless networks to increase their capacity through developments such as refarming, increased network sharing, the use of new spectrum bands, etc. (evolution of networks)
• how the study uses scenarios to assess the impact of the uncertainty associated with the evolution of both demand and networks
• the environmental impact hotspots in the ICT sector, including devices, networks and data centres
• how a regulator like Arcep integrates sustainability into its regulatory policy and the role national/international collaboration plays into that.

This episode offers practical insights for policy makers, operators and stakeholders on balancing network innovation with environmental responsibility.

Read the related report: https://en.arcep.fr/fileadmin/reprise/dossiers/frequences/etude-usages-et-reseaux_sept2025/study-executive-summary_evolution-uses-telecoms-networks_ENG_sept2025.pdf

Read more work on Arcep’s work on digital sustainability: https://en.arcep.fr/arcep/arcep-europe-international/digital-sustainability.html

Learn more about Analysys Mason's regulation and policy services: Regulation and policy for telecoms, media and technology (TMT)

Sovereign military satellite communication (satcom) networks are evolving from closed systems to hybrid architectures that integrate commercial satellite capacity to meet growing demand. In this episode, Christopher Baugh, Partner, speaks with Luke Wyles, Analyst, about how commercial satcom services are currently procured and integrated, as well as the associated security, governance and co-ordination challenges for governments.

They discuss why secure, zero-trust orchestration is becoming central to hybrid military satcom architectures, and how this aligns with alliance initiatives such as IRIS2 and the NATO Commercial Space Strategy. Learn more about Analysys Mason's Space research and insights.

In this episode, Tom Rebbeck, Partner and expert in telecoms services, and Jonathan Daniel, Analyst, discuss the latest trends across financial KPIs. They examine how revenue, EBITDA, capex and operating cashflow have evolved over the 12 months to 3Q 2025 and highlight the most notable shifts in operators’ financial performance.

Read the related report: Operators’ financial KPIs: trends and analysis

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Government funding plays a crucial role in the space industry; it supports both emerging and established companies. In this episode, Christopher Baugh, Partner at Analysys Mason, speaks with Dallas Kasaboski, Principal Analyst at Analysys Mason, and Craig Brown, Director of Investment at the UK Space Agency (UKSA). They discuss why government support is essential for the health of the space sector and how it is deployed, including grants, subsidies, contracts and other mechanisms.

The conversation explores:

• current government support initiatives for the space industry in the UK and how they are deployed
• which organisations benefit most from government funding and why commercial markets still require support
• how government intervention supports start-ups as they scale and work towards sustainability
• the role of public funding in helping companies to raise private investment
• the outlook for space security and defence programmes in the current geopolitical climate
• how funding aligns with the various stages of technology development
• how private-sector space companies should approach and use government support.

This episode also provides insight into how public-sector support influences space market growth, investment and long-term sustainability.