As Mavenir continues its global expansion, the Middle East remains a key market, with significant projects underway. “Mavenir is a 20-year-old company with over 300 customers globally, serving more than three and a half billion people,” said Pardeep Kohli, CEO of Mavenir, in an exclusive briefing with Telecom Review at MWC Barcelona 2025.
While we are based in the US, our presence in Europe and the Middle East is strong, particularly in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
One of Mavenir’s most notable regional partnerships is with e& UAE. “Our primary focus in the region has been on messaging services, and over the years, we’ve transitioned to 4G and now offer applications like voice over LTE (VoLTE), voice over Wi-Fi (VoWi-Fi), and packet core solutions,” Kohli explained. “We’ve seen success with operators like Turkcell and e& UAE, where we have successfully deployed our IMS solutions.”
Beyond IMS, Mavenir is working closely with e& UAE on packet core and cloud migration initiatives. “This partnership is not just about deploying code stacks; it’s about migrating applications to their public cloud environment and leveraging AI to optimize operational efficiency,” he added. “Given e&’s reputation for innovation and quality, we’re proud to be working with them and expanding our footprint in the region.”
The Rise of MVNOs
As the industry embraces digital transformation, Kohli highlighted the importance of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven network evolution. “We now have over 70 customers in the packet core, of which 20 new customers have been added in the last year,” he noted. “AI adoption aligns closely with cloud migration—before you can integrate AI, you first need to move to the cloud.”
That shift is accelerating, and we are at the forefront of enabling it.
Kohli also pointed out another major industry shift: the rise of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). “Traditional operators tend to be slow in migration and innovation, while MVNOs are far more agile,” he said. “We’ve been working with several new MVNOs entering the market, helping them bring fresh, innovative offerings.”
One such initiative involves a Canadian provider launching a free mobile service in the US, supported by advertising. “It’s similar to how Facebook and Google generate revenue through ads while offering free services,” Kohli explained. “Users might see occasional ads—like on YouTube—but in return, they get a free mobile service. This model could appeal to younger users or anyone open to an ad-supported approach. It’s an exciting development, and we’re looking forward to exploring more opportunities like this.”
How Operators Can Win the AI Race
Reflecting on broader industry trends, Kohli shared insights from his recent discussions with telecom leaders. “In the last few days, I’ve met with around 15 different CXOs, and there’s a common realization—the mobile market has matured,” he said. “Everyone already has a phone. Consumers no longer feel the need to pay more for additional features because they already have what they need. Even phone upgrade cycles are slowing down.”
This presents a challenge for operators: “If revenue isn’t growing but operational costs are rising, how do you sustain the business?"
To address this, Kohli shared, “The answer lies in two key areas. First, optimizing operations with AI—there’s a lot of hype around AI, but it has real potential to reduce costs and improve efficiency. That’s where we are actively involved.”
The second area is leveraging AI to develop new applications. “Historically, operators lost ground to over-the-top (OTT) players who innovated while operators remained primarily connectivity providers,” he noted. “With AI, there’s now a chance for operators to reclaim some of that lost ground—if they act quickly.”
Kohli believes that regional differentiation will play a crucial role in this shift. “Unlike global platforms like YouTube, which offer a uniform experience worldwide, AI applications will be more region-specific,” he explained. “AI in Dubai will be different from AI in Texas. This creates an opportunity for local operators to develop AI-driven services before global tech giants step in. But the question remains: how many operators will move fast enough to capitalize on it?”
Through AI-driven network optimization, cloud migration, and innovative MVNO models, Mavenir is positioning itself as a key player in shaping the next phase of telecom evolution.
“The industry is changing fast,” Kohli concluded. “Those who adapt quickly will be the ones who thrive.”
More Mavenir Exclusives:
Shaping Next-Gen Networks: Mark Charman, VP MEA, Mavenir, on Innovation and Progress
Mavenir’s Ilia Abramov Talks Security in the Era of 5G
Our Solutions Are Helping Operators Transform Network Economics, Says Mavenir’s Virtyt Koshi
