Telcos aren’t just upgrading anymore - they’re flipping the whole model. In 2025, keeping up means moving quickly, working smarter, and staying flexible. And none of that happens without solid product data.
Here are six key trends shaping the move from telco to techco - and why your product data needs to be ready for every one of them.
Insights shared by Bluestone PIM Telco Accelerator experts - Fredrik Roos and Viktor Lövgren.
1. From Traditional Telco to Innovative Techco
The telecommunications industry is undergoing a revolutionary transformation in 2025. As traditional telcos evolve into technology-driven companies - or "techcos" - they're reshaping not just their operations but their entire position in the digital economy and e-commerce landscape.
This strategic pivot is no longer optional but essential for survival and growth in an increasingly competitive market. Let's explore the key trends driving this transformation and why robust product data management is the foundation for success.
What’s Wrong With the Traditional Model?
Traditional telecommunications companies face mounting challenges:
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Legacy systems hindering innovation and agility
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Extended development cycles delaying market response
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Revenue models overly dependent on conventional services
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Increasing competition from digital-native companies
In contrast, the techco model offers compelling advantages:
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API-first architecture enabling rapid integration and deployment
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Microservices infrastructure supporting modular growth
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Digital-centric service portfolios expanding revenue opportunities
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Ecosystem-driven approaches fostering partnerships and innovation
2. The Market Isn’t Just B2C Anymore
Forward-thinking telcos are discovering growth opportunities beyond traditional consumer services. By transforming into techcos, they can seamlessly expand into:
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B2B markets: Providing enterprise-grade solutions with specialized capabilities
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B2B2X ecosystems: Enabling partners to build value-added services on their platforms
This expansion requires a flexible foundation—one where composable commerce and adaptable infrastructure become business imperatives rather than optional investments.
Discover how B2B telecom companies can drive growth - get the insights in our e-book.
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3. Breaking Free from Legacy Constraints with Modular Architecture
The biggest roadblock for telcos? Legacy tech stacks. Monolithic systems are expensive, inflexible, and slow to change.
A modular architecture—powered by composable components—is the way forward. It allows telcos to:
- Replace outdated systems piece by piece
- Launch new services without massive overhauls
- Adapt faster to shifting market demands
That’s exactly what Bluestone PIM’s Telco Accelerator was designed for.
Built in collaboration with industry partners, the platform allows telcos to shift away from legacy tech and adopt a flexible, microservices-based setup.
The solution also enables to integrate purpose-built extensions:
- Campaign Manager to streamline marketing efforts
- Customer Manager to improve customer data handling
- Advanced Bundle Configurator to tailor product bundles easily
See in the video how this approach helps reduce risk, cut costs, and speed up results.
4. The Composable Commerce Advantage: Start Small, Scale Fast
Composable commerce isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a smarter way to work. For telcos, it means:
- Addressing immediate challenges with targeted solutions
- Scaling gradually without major disruptions
- Maintaining control over how, when, and where transformation happens
For example, a provider looking to launch innovative bundled offerings can implement Bluestone PIM's Advanced Bundle Configurator to rapidly build, test, and deploy new packages. With access to over 700 APIs endpoints and architecture designed for enterprise-scale operations, Bluestone PIM becomes the cornerstone for efficient product management and continuous innovation.
5. Using AI for Product Data Excellence
AI is revolutionising telecom - but it’s not just chatbots or predictive analytics. AI has a real impact on product data management.
As services become more complex, telcos need to manage large volumes of product information across multiple markets and channels - and this is quickly becoming a challenge.
The right PIM system with AI features enables telco companies to:
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Auto-generate product descriptions for different markets
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Spot inconsistencies instantly
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Translate at scale without losing context
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Streamline data workflows and free up internal teams
Unlike other platforms, Bluestone PIM integrates with any AI provider you choose without locking into a single model.
6. OpenAPI v5 and the Shift to Industry Standards
Telecoms are moving towards open standards, with TM Forum’s OpenAPI v5 leading the charge.
TM Forum’s OpenAPI v5 promotes:
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Asynchronous, event-driven architectures
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Composable system design
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Faster development cycles and real-time responsiveness
These advancements accelerate innovation cycles, reduce development timeframes, and ensure compatibility with the broader digital ecosystem—all critical factors for telecommunications companies transitioning to techco models.
Strategic Recommendations for Telecom Leaders in 2025
For telecommunications executives navigating this transformative landscape, four strategic imperatives stand out:
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Think big, start small, scale fast: Begin your transformation journey by replacing individual components strategically while maintaining a comprehensive vision for your future architecture.
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Maintain technological independence: Select composable systems that preserve your flexibility and prevent vendor lock-in as market conditions evolve.
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Establish control over your product data: Take full ownership of your product information assets and leverage AI to enhance data quality, consistency, and market relevance.
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Adopt a vendor-agnostic AI strategy: Remain open to incorporating emerging AI technologies without becoming dependent on specific providers.
The Path Forward: Product Data as Transformation Bedrock
Telcos are at a turning point. Those who embrace flexible platforms, composable systems, and smart product data strategies will be positioned to lead. Those who don’t may be left behind.
The Bluestone PIM Telco Accelerator offers the structure telcos need to make that leap. With a modular build, strong usability, and enterprise-grade performance, it supports innovation, adaptability, and growth - without compromise.
