This Appledore Research Note reports from Telecom TV’s second AI-Native Telco Forum in Düsseldorf, hosted by Deutsche Telekom. As operators try to move AI from pilots into production, the event offered a timely snapshot of where the industry stands — and how far it still has to go.

We draw out the themes that mattered most: ontologies and semantic context, verification and safety for agentic operations, and emerging AI monetization models. We highlight the presentations and conversations that stood out for us, from DT, Orange, Rakuten Symphony, Wavelo, Blue Planet and Totogi, from the main stage and the showfloor.

We also give our thoughts on where AI-native thinking still reads as bolt-on hype, and why telcos need sharper business models for AI.

For CSP network and operations strategy teams, OSS/BSS vendors and anyone tracking operator AI maturity, this is an informative read on what separates credible AI-native plans from the familiar pitch with AI sprinkles on top.

Companies referenced in this report: Amdocs, AT&T, China Telecom, Ciena Blue Planet, Deutsche Telekom, e& (Etisalat), Elisa, Liberty Latin America, Mavenir, MetTel, Nokia, NTT DOCOMO, NVIDIA, Orange, PLDT, Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony, Red Hat, Smart, Telecom TV, T-Mobile US, Totogi, Verizon, Wavelo, Wind River