Telecommunications in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Satellites: Science Fiction Becomes Reality

Drones, robots, humanoids, autonomous vehicles, smart homes, smart cities, smart cars, smart glasses, quantum teleportation, AI, ... the future is here.

However, according to Carlos Fernandes, a fast and reliable network remains the foundation. “All digital services depend on a stable network. If the conectivity fails, everything else loses value,” he says in an interview conducted in collaboration with the Global Minds project. This is also illustrated by the steady rise in mobile data consumption. On the T-Mobile network alone, it has grown by an average of 28 percent over the past three years. 

Today, 99 percent of population in Czech can already use 5G connectivity. “Closing the last gaps is always the hardest part,” notes Fernandes, adding that satellite technologies will become increasingly helpful in this regard. 

Personally, he also strongly believes in the role of artificial intelligence, which should help with the construction of optical networks, as well as with predictive maintenance and intelligent management of telecommunications infrastructure.

You’ve been in the Czech Republic for a relatively short time — how do you like it so far?

Yes, I've only been here a short time, but Prague is clearly a remarkable city – cosmpolitan, safe, and full of energy.  What stands out to me is how active people are and how naturally quality of life connects with the urban environment. And from a business perspective, I see a market with strong engineering talent, demanding customers, and healthy level of competition. That combination pushes us to continuously improve. I’m also impressed by how digitally engaged customers are here - they trully recognize and value network quality.

Your agenda is very diverse. What does it include?

My focus is built around three priorities: network excellence, customer experience, and future readiness.  We continue to invest in top-tier mobile and fixed networks to ensure best-in-class performance. This goes hand in hand with ensuring we deliver our customers the best services wherever and whenever they need.  And importantly, we are preparing for the future by simplifying our architecture and operations therefore enabling the possibility for AI-driven networks, a cloud-native core, and new services built on top of connectivity. I bring more than 25 years of international telecom experience, and my goal is to combine strong technical foundations with a forward-looking mindset. That means strengthening a data-driven culture, embedding AI into our network, scaling our fixed and convergent strategy, and delivering large strategic projects.

How are we currently doing with 5G coverage in the Czech Republic?

Coverage is already very strong and continues to improve. According to the Czech Telecommunications Office, we currently reach around 99 % of the population with 5G. Today, the focus is no longer just on coverage, but on quality – capacity, latency, and consistency. In simple terms, this means how much data the network can handle, how quickly it responds, and how stable the experience is. We are continuously densifying the network and using spectrum efficiently so customers feel the difference in everyday use. We launched 5G in November 2020, and since then, we have significantly expanded and improved it. Independent benchmarks confirm this progress – according to Opensignal, we have the best mobile network in the Czech Republic for 2025, winning 12 out of 15 categories, and we are also strong in fixed internet performance.

Building infrastructure in the Czech Republic is extremely demanding and slow — how successful are you in covering the remaining uncovered areas?

It is indeed challenging. The permitting process takes most of the time – while building and deploying technology takes months, the full project can take three to four years. Despite that, we’re making steady progress. We combine different approaches - site sharing, smarter planning, and new technologies. Closing the last gaps is always the hardest part, but it’s also where connectivity matters most.

And what about fixed, specifically optical, networks? Is construction faster there?

Not significantly. Fiber deployment faces similar administrative challenges. That said, fiber is essential for long-term competitiveness. We combine our own build with partnerships and wholesale access to accelerate coverage where it makes sense. Collaboration is key – just as other infrastructure sectors, it does not make much sense to duplicate networks. Partnerships allow us to build faster and more efficiently. Eg.  water and electricity companies also don’t build two pipes or electricity wires.

Last year T-Mobile announced that the arena in Brno will carry the name T Arena. How challenging is it to set up connectivity for the next millennium?

Large venues like this are among the most demanding environments. You have tens of thousands of people generating massive data traffic at the same time. It requires a very dense, precisely engineered network – advanced indoor coverage systems, dedicated capacity, and real-time optimization. Technologies like distributed antenna systems allow us to deliver strong, stable, high-speed connectivity even in a fully occupied arena. When done right, connectivity becomes a seamless part of the overall experience.

What do customers actually expect from networks today? Is connection speed the main requirement?

Customers expect the network to simply work – everywhere, instantly, and securely. At the same time, demand for data continues to grow. In the last three years, mobile data consumption among our customers has increased by an average of 28 %. Speed, reliability, and sufficient data volume are key. All digital services depend on a stable network. If the network fails, everything else loses value – so reliability remains the absolute foundation.

In the age of AI and digital content, technology development moves incredibly fast. I imagine the cycle never really ends — you’re constantly building, digitalizing, or modernizing. What will future technologies bring, and how quickly do the old ones become obsolete?

Technology cycles are accelerating, but it’s not about replacing everything overnight. It’s about evolution. AI will make networks more autonomous and efficient. Cloud-native architectures will bring greater flexibility and scalability. Older technologies phase out gradually, but the key factor is how fast we can adapt and integrate new capabilities.

Did you attend the global congress in Barcelona? And what stood out?

Yes. Two things stood out. First, AI is truly becoming operational in telecom – it is no longer just a concept – and it noy only targeting efficiencies but also enabling new services and revenue streams. Second, we see convergence between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. Satellite integration, network programmability, and APIs (Aplication programming interface) are becoming very real. These trends will directly shape the services we bring to customers.

You offer innovations on the Czech market such as drone coverage, stratospheric coverage, and various AI solutions for customers. What’s next? Can you reveal what we can expect in the near future?

We will continue to focus on network quality and resilience, while opening the network further through APIs, partnerships, and new services. AI will play a bigger role both in operations and customer experience. At the same time, we continue expanding coverage, especially in hard-to-reach areas, including, white spots and corridors, through both our own investments and spectrum-related commitments.

Recently I visited your Technology Innovations Day at the Magenta Experience Center, and several things caught my eye. Could you explain to our readers what a teleport is and how it works? Satellite internet has also already gained a strong reputation. What does it bring to your services?

The teleport is essentially a gateway between terrestrial and satellite networks, allowing us to integrate satellite connectivity into our core infrastructure.

Satelite technologies are not a replacement for mobile networks, but a powerful complement – expecially in remote areas or emergency situations. We expect gradual integration, starting with specific use cases and expanding over time.

Glasses that enable features like simultaneous translation are the stuff of James Bond movies. How much interest is there in this kind of technology?

Yes, smart translation glasses with AI assistant provide real-time translation for up to 89 languages and automatically create subtitles. This is a great thing because thanks to the voice control application allow quick access to information, real-time translation and recording of images and sound without having to hold the device in your hand. It is definitely a device that can make life and travel easier for many people and will find its customers.

Which of the innovations you're currently working on is your favorite?

Both in the area of AI applied to networks: one is the digitalization of the fiber rollout process, especially through the integration of AI capabilities to improve planning, automation, and operational efficiency. The other one is AI-driven predictive maintenance and intelligent network operations to proactively detect issues and optimize service quality across telecom infrastructure.

All this development and modernization must cost a huge amount of money. How large are your investments in this area in the Czech Republic?

It is a significant and long-term commitment. Connectivity is critical infrastructure. In the last 6 years total long-term systematic investment by T-Mobile, as the leading investor into telecommunications infrastructure, construction of mobile and optical networks, modernization and others exceeded 30 billion CZK. What matters is not only the scale of investment, but also  how effectively we use it. We focus on areas with the greatest customer impact – boosting capacity in cities, coverage in rural areas, and modernization of the core network – while improving efficiency through sharing and partnerships.

Antonio Carlos Correia Fernandes has more than 25 years of experience in telecommunications in an international environment and joins from the Deutsche Telekom Group. He joined T-Mobile Czech Republic on January 1, 2026. His main priorities are: further improving the quality of network services, developing AI solutions, strengthening technological performance and efficiency, implementing data-driven processes, and supporting projects in both fixed and mobile technologies in line with the execution of the company's convergent strategy.