Autonomous 5G Operations
Tech Mahindra, Microsoft Launch AI-Powered Digital Twin to Revolutionize 5G Networks
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Key Points
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Azure Operator Nexus adoption in Europe and North America is highlighted as part of the Tech Mahindra–Microsoft Network Digital Twin initiative, signaling a focus on regional cloud-native deployments.
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CME vertical is cited as Tech Mahindra's major revenue contributor (about 33%), and the collaboration is framed as a strategic move to defend that high-growth segment amid rising competition.
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The public unveiling of the Network Digital Twin concept occurred on June 30, 2026, with coverage noting the aim to unify large volumes of live network telemetry into an AI-ready data estate.
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The solution is described as enabling testing and validation of network changes in a risk-free virtual environment before deployment to live infrastructure, supporting autonomous orchestration.
Tech Mahindra and Microsoft unveiled a joint Network Digital Twin solution on June 30, 2026, aiming to give telecom operators an AI-powered virtual replica of their 5G networks. The platform combines Microsoft Azure, Azure Digital Twin, and Microsoft Fabric to let carriers test network changes in a safe simulation before pushing them to live infrastructure, Yahoo Finance reported.
The companies say the solution can deliver up to 25% improvement in network operational efficiency, according to Fortune India. The target customers are medium and large Communication Service Providers, or CSPs, primarily in Europe and North America.
How the Digital Twin Actually Works in Practice
A network digital twin is essentially a live, virtual copy of a real telecom network. Engineers feed it real-time data from towers, routers, and user devices. They can then simulate outages, test new configurations, or model the impact of adding 5G slices — all without touching live equipment. Innovation Village described the platform as creating a "real-time, AI-ready data estate."
The platform uses what the companies call "agentic AI" — software that can reason and act on its own. Amol Phadke, Tech Mahindra's Chief Transformation Officer, said the goal is to move operators "from reactive maintenance to predictive, autonomous orchestration," according to Yahoo Finance. Microsoft's Alessandra Antonelli added that telecoms could become "queryable, partially self-operating systems."
5G Slicing Is Too Complex to Manage Without AI
5G introduced a technology called network slicing. It lets carriers carve a single physical network into multiple virtual lanes, each with its own performance guarantee. A hospital might need one slice for remote surgery. A logistics company might need another for autonomous trucks. Selling these slices at a premium is how telecoms plan to make 5G profitable.
The problem is that managing dozens of slices manually is nearly impossible. The digital twin handles SLA-driven promises — meaning it monitors whether each slice is hitting its guaranteed performance level and fixes problems before customers notice. Whalesbook noted that earlier virtualized network attempts failed because they lacked the real-time data pipelines this platform now provides.
Tech Mahindra Is Defending a Crucial Revenue Stream
Telecom clients make up roughly 33% of Tech Mahindra's total revenue, according to Sahi Markets. That makes the Communications, Media, and Entertainment vertical the company's single largest business segment. Analysts frame this launch as a defensive move to hold onto large CSP contracts as rivals push into the same space.
Tech Mahindra closed FY26 with $6.38 billion in revenue and a record $3.79 billion in Total Contract Value, per Whalesbook. CEO Mohit Joshi is running a three-year plan called Project Fortius, targeting a 15% EBIT margin by FY27. High-margin managed services contracts — the kind this AI platform is designed to win — are central to hitting that number.
Critics Ask Whether Telecoms Will Trust AI With Live Networks
Not everyone is convinced the rollout will be smooth. Telecom carriers are traditionally cautious. Handing an AI system the authority to make changes to live infrastructure is a significant leap. Some industry watchers question whether CSPs are truly ready to "trust a digital mirror with operational judgment," as one technical assessment put it, according to Lokmat Times.
A separate concern surrounds who really benefits. Some analysts argue Microsoft is the primary winner, locking Azure in as the underlying layer for global 5G infrastructure. Meanwhile, Economic Times noted that while Tech Mahindra CEO pay rose 11.7% to Rs 67.5 crore in FY26, median employee pay fell 4.89% — a contrast that may fuel scrutiny as the company accelerates its AI-driven efficiency push.
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