New BearingPoint study shows: Agentic AI – the use of autonomous, orchestrated AI agents – unlocks enormous potential for the expansion of telecommunications networks. However, the use of these “digital employees” is still in its infancy. Many companies remain stuck in pilot projects.
Amsterdam, February 3, 2026 – Agentic AI is emerging as a decisive driver of network expansion: The technology – autonomous, orchestrated AI agents – has the potential to dramatically accelerate processes, significantly reduce costs, and overcome bottlenecks in Europe’s telecommunications networks. Yet a new study by management and technology consultancy BearingPoint shows that the industry is still at the beginning of its agentic AI journey – while simultaneously under immense pressure. Telecommunications companies are struggling with high production costs, an aging expert workforce, skills shortages, and fragmented system architectures. Traditional cost-cutting measures are reaching their limits. At the same time, competitive pressure demands faster rollouts and greater agility.
The study outlines that a fundamental paradigm shift is required to master these challenges in the years ahead. Agentic AI opens up new dimensions of process automation. Unlike classic generative AI, these agents act in a goal-oriented manner, learn continuously, and work together in teams.
“Digital employees pay for themselves within just a few weeks”
Under agentic AI, we understand digital employees that integrate into processes and work symbiotically with human staff. The potential is enormous, as every task taken over scales hundreds or even thousands of times in a mass rollout. AI agents usually pay for themselves within just a few weeks. Yet despite these considerable opportunities, the industry is still at a very early stage.
Julius Hafer, Partner and Telecommunications expert at BearingPoint
Agentic AI: Savings potential of 50 million euros
Insights from initial pilot projects suggest that the benefits of agentic AI are significant:
- Lead times for infrastructure rollouts can be reduced by more than 30 percent.
- Process idle times can be reduced by up to 75 percent.
- Cost savings of more than 15 percent can already be realized in the first year.
Estimates based on a BearingPoint pilot project have shown that average annual savings of around 175,000 euros can be achieved per agent. Scaled to 300 agents, this results in a savings potential of around 50 million euros per year – a massive lever for profitability.
Status quo: Potential remains largely untapped
Despite these opportunities, the maturity of European telecommunications companies when it comes to agentic AI remains low. The BearingPoint study shows that the average maturity level is only about one third of what is fundamentally possible. Key foundations for successful scaling are particularly underdeveloped: clear governance structures, clearly defined and embedded AI roles, reusable templates and agents, and a consistently structured ideation process. Many companies remain stuck in pilot projects without making the leap to scaling.
BearingPoint’s approach: Structured transformation instead of chaos
To successfully implement agentic AI, BearingPoint has developed a four-pillar model:
Focus on outcomes rather than processes
- Integration into existing systems without disruptive changes
- Scaling through standardized agent development
- Shaping transformation through co-creation together with employees
About the study
The analysis is based on a comprehensive maturity assessment of European telecommunications companies, as well as BearingPoint’s project experience from more than 500 network projects. The study is complemented by an in-depth market analysis and expert interviews.
About BearingPoint
BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach that transforms businesses using technology intelligently. The firm operates across three core units: Consulting, Products, and Capital. Its Consulting services focus on selected areas, combining business and technology expertise with profound industry knowledge. The Products unit provides IP-driven solutions and managed services for business-critical processes. Capital delivers deal advisory and transaction services. In addition to its core operations, BearingPoint runs two joint ventures: Arcwide, a JV with IFS, which specializes in business transformation based on IFS technology, and BearingPoint North America, a JV with ABeam, which is dedicated to consulting excellence and business transformation built on SAP.
BearingPoint serves many of the world’s leading companies and organizations. Together with its strategic alliance partner ABeam Consulting, the firm brings together 15,000 professionals and supports clients in over 70 countries, delivering seamless business transformation with sustainable impact.
BearingPoint is a certified B Corporation, driven by a strong sense of purpose – today and into the future.
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