The telecommunications landscape in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, shifting market demands, and evolving regulatory frameworks. As operators navigate the complexities of 5G adoption, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation, and digital transformation, innovation has become a key differentiator in ensuring long-term success.
In an exclusive interview with Telcom Review during MWC Barcelona 2025, Szymon Uczciwek, Vice President of Business Growth and Strategy for MEA, expanded on the most significant trends shaping the telecom industry in MEA, the challenges and opportunities of 5G deployment, and how Comarch's innovation-driven approach is helping operators stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital world.
As Vice President of Business Growth and Strategy for MEA, what are the key differences in telecom industry trends and challenges for these regions, and how does Comarch adapt its business development strategy to these diverse markets?
The MEA region is highly diverse, with significant variations in market maturity, regulatory landscapes, and technological priorities.
In GCC countries, telecom operators are making substantial investments in 5G, AI-driven automation, and cloud-native solutions, focusing on premium services, smart city initiatives, and enterprise digitalization. In contrast, Africa’s telecom sector is prioritizing network expansion, cost efficiency, and bridging the digital divide. There is a strong demand for OSS/BSS (operations support system/business support system) solutions that not only enhance existing infrastructure but also pave the way for the future growth of 5G and fiber networks.
Comarch adapts to these distinct market needs by offering modular, scalable solutions that enable operators to modernize their IT environments at their own pace while aligning with their strategic objectives. Our cloud-first approach provides flexibility, while our AI-driven automation tools help telecom providers reduce OpEx (operating expenditure) and enhance service delivery, regardless of the market’s size or investment capacity.
With 5G rollouts accelerating globally, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities for telecom operators in MEA in adopting 5G networks? How is Comarch supporting them in this transition?
The biggest challenges for MEA operators in 5G adoption include high CapEx (capital expenditure) requirements for network deployment and infrastructure upgrades, regulatory constraints and spectrum availability, and the complexity of monetization strategies, such as finding ways to make 5G profitable beyond enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB).
At the same time, 5G presents significant opportunities. Private 5G networks are gaining traction, particularly in industries such as oil and gas, logistics, and smart cities. Network slicing is presenting new revenue streams for business-to-business (B2B) and Internet of Things (IoT) services, while AI-driven automation is optimizing network operations and service assurance.
Comarch supports operators with this transition by providing AI-powered OSS solutions that enable real-time network automation, zero-touch provisioning, and intelligent network slicing. Our BSS portfolio helps operators implement flexible, scalable monetization models, ensuring that 5G investments translate into real business value.
Telecom operators in MEA face varying regulatory environments. How does Comarch navigate these diverse regulatory frameworks to help customers comply with local rules while driving innovation?
Regulatory diversity in MEA presents a significant challenge, as each country has its own data sovereignty laws, cybersecurity standards, and compliance requirements. At Comarch, we take a region-specific approach, ensuring that our solutions fully align with local regulations while maintaining a global standard in terms of innovation.
Our cloud-native solutions are designed with flexibility in mind. They support deployment on private, hybrid, or local public clouds, helping operators comply with data localization requirements. Additionally, our security-first approach ensures that our OSS/BSS platforms meet stringent cybersecurity mandates, such as those enforced in GCC countries.
By working closely with regulatory bodies and customizing compliance modules, we help operators across MEA stay ahead of evolving regulations while driving their digital transformation forward.
Considering Comarch's recent collaboration with AGH University, how do you foresee this partnership influencing the future of IT infrastructure, particularly in terms of integrating academic research with practical business solutions in international projects?
Comarch’s collaboration with AGH University is a prime example of how academic research and business innovation can drive technological advancements. Universities are at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development (R&D) in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. By bridging academia with industry needs, we can accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies in real-world telecom projects.
One key area of focus is AI-driven network automation and predictive analytics. Our joint efforts with AGH University are advancing the development of self-optimizing networks (SON) and AI-powered service assurance solutions. This collaboration also plays a crucial role in training the next generation of telecom engineers, ensuring that MEA operators have access to world-class expertise and state-of-the-art technology.
By integrating scientific research with practical applications, we are strengthening Comarch’s ability to deliver highly innovative, future-proof telecom solutions globally.
Looking towards the next decade, what technological innovations will significantly impact the telecom industry? How is Comarch positioning itself to lead and contribute to these advancements?
AI, automation, cloud-native infrastructure, and the convergence of telecom and IT will shape the next decade in telecom. Comarch is strategically positioning itself to lead this transformation through innovation in several key areas.
AI and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing network management, enabling self-optimizing and self-healing telecom networks. Comarch is investing significantly in AI-powered OSS to help operators minimize downtime, enhance efficiency, and improve overall network performance. As telcos transition to cloud-based, software-defined (SD) infrastructures, Comarch’s cloud-native OSS/BSS solutions empower them to deploy scalable, agile services while reducing operational costs. Our solutions also support Open RAN architectures, ensuring flexibility and vendor interoperability.
As 5G deployment continues, research into 6G is already shaping the future of connectivity. Comarch remains actively engaged in 6G research initiatives, ensuring our solutions are future-ready for next-generation networks and evolving communication paradigms. At the same time, energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction are becoming critical priorities for telecom operators. Comarch is integrating energy-optimization features into its OSS solutions to help operators reduce power consumption, optimize resource usage, and advance sustainability goals.
We are committed to developing intelligent, automated, and future-proof telecom solutions that keep operators ahead of market demands while driving long-term business success.
Comarch Exclusives:
Innovation in Action: Comarch's Initiatives and Projects in APAC and MEA
Comarch: Offering Unlimited Possibilities in the Middle East
Comarch VP Addresses Partnerships, Smart Cities and Middle East Expansion
