A complete guide to choosing the right telecom partner in 2026

Telecoms are expected to deliver far more than connectivity. Enterprises increasingly rely on CPaaS and digital communication capabilities to engage customers, launch new services, and scale faster. For telecom operators, this creates an opportunity, but only with the right technology and telecom partner. 

By partnering with a CPaaS-driven technology partner, telecoms can deliver new opportunities that drive growth and revenue, while gaining the support, resources, and additional benefits needed to compete in a fast-moving market. Through strong telecom partnerships, operators can co-create the right strategies and CX solutions that align with their vision and meet the needs of both large enterprises through direct sales and SMBs through digital marketplaces. 

This guide explains what a telecom partner is, highlights top choices in the market, and offers a clear checklist to help you choose the right partner in 2026. 

What is a telecom partner? 

Think of a telecom partner as a trusted guide. They know telecommunications industry inside and out. They help businesses build and maintain communication systems like messaging, voice, network connectivity, customer engagement tools, APIs, and more – offering innovative solutions along the way.  

Work with telecom partners to: 

• Reduce time to market by leveraging proven expertise and ready-to-deploy solutions 
• Scale communication services reliably across channels, regions, and customer segments 
• Strengthen network monetization with ongoing innovation in emerging technologies 
• Stay competitive with cloud communications, APIs, AI automation, and omnichannel CX 
• Enable indirect sales and new revenue models through advanced messaging and integrations 

Top 5 telecom partners for 2026 

Here is a mix of global CPaaS leaders shaping the telecom industry in 2026: 

1. Infobip 

Infobip is a global CPaaS leader and one of the most complete telecom partners on the market. It helps telecoms expand into new services, monetize network assets, and deliver advanced communication solutions, all from a single, unified platform.  

It is a trusted partner to more than 800 carriers worldwide, with direct connections to mobile networks, including all Tier 1 US carriers. These direct connections ensure fast, reliable message delivery and high service quality. 

Best suited for telecoms looking to: 

• Offer SMS, voice, email, RCS, WhatsApp, and other chat apps to enterprise and SMB customers 
• Integrate CPaaS and network APIs to extend services or enable marketplace offerings 
• Provide modern customer engagement and contact center solutions at scale 
• Deploy omnichannel security, authentication, and fraud prevention solutions to protect networks and customers 

Infobip has a global presence, operating in 190+ countries with 40+ data centers worldwide. These data centers help keep communication services stable, secure, and always available, even at high volumes. 

By working closely with telecom companies, Infobip helps modernize existing services, launch new revenue streams, and improve customer experiences, without heavy infrastructure investment. 

Connect with Infobip experts at MWC26 Barcelona, taking place 2–5 March at Hall 6, booth 6B11, to explore real-world use cases, platform capabilities, and partnership opportunities. 

2. Vonage (Ericsson) 

Vonage, now part of Ericsson, acts as a CPaaS/UCaaS telecommunications partner with carrier-direct voice, messaging, and video APIs. Best suited for: 

• Enterprises needing unified communications 
• Companies integrating voice, video, RCS, and more into apps 
• Scalable network APIs using Ericsson’s global 5G infrastructure 

3. Twilio 

Twilio is well-known in the US market, focusing on programmable APIs for messaging, voice, and customer engagement. Often chosen by companies that want: 

• Strong developer tools 
• Flexible APIs for SMS, voice, video, email 
• Custom-built communication workflows 

4. MessageBird (now Bird) 

Bird is focused on omnichannel messaging via global carrier networks. Typically used for: 

• Customer notifications and alerts 
• Marketing messages across SMS, WhatsApp etc. 
• Support conversations using automated and guided messaging 

5. Sinch 

Sinch specializes in messaging, voice, and verification. Businesses choose this option for:

• Global SMS, RCS, voice delivery at scale 
• One-time passwords (OTP) and verification 
• Simple omnichannel messaging with AI verification 

Why Infobip is the best telecom partner in 2026 

Infobip stands out in the telecom industry for several reasons: 

Helping telcos grow new revenue streams 

Besides being a technology provider, Infobip partners with mobile network operators, MVNOs, and ISPs to help them expand into new revenue streams using modern communication tools. We cover 70+ markets through our telecom partnerships, which gives us deep experience in scaling solutions globally. Major operators rely on our platform to transform their networks and customer engagement, thanks to proven technology and strategic support for innovation. 

A platform that scales with your business 

With Infobip, partners can manage SMS, voice, email, RCS, chat apps, APIs, security tools, and more in one place. This means less complexity, faster go-to-market, and we don’t just provide a solution and leave – we work alongside you to launch and scale it successfully. 

Flexible business model built for telcos

Operators and businesses can sell new services built on top of our platform, from automated messaging to contact center tools, creating new offers for customers without a one-size-fits-all approach. Our flexible business model adapts to your needs, and our partner program is custom-made specifically for telcos. 

Global infrastructure with local support 

Infobip works with 800+ direct operator connections and supports telecom partners through 75+ local offices worldwide. This combination of global infrastructure and on‑the‑ground expertise ensures secure, reliable communication and strong local compliance, meeting the demands of a globally connected market. 

Infobip’s telecom partner success stories

Through strategic telecom partnerships, these companies improved messaging reliability, security, and revenue: 

1. e& enterprise: Driving enterprise innovation through emerging technologies 

e& enterprise wanted to help businesses adopt emerging technologies using secure and scalable digital communication. By working with Infobip’s omnichannel platform, e& enterprise expanded its portfolio with cloud-based messaging and AI-powered services. This helped customers move faster with digital transformation, improve customer engagement, and deliver new business value. 

2. Hrvatski Telekom: Faster bill payments and reduced support load 

Hrvatski Telekom aimed to reduce support calls and speed up bill payments. Using Infobip’s AI-powered chatbot, customers received automated payment reminders and self-service options. As a result, 57% of customers paid their bills within five days. Many issues were resolved without contacting support, lowering call volumes and improving customer satisfaction. 

3. Deutsche Telekom: Advancing CX through Network APIs 

Deutsche Telekom wanted to make better use of its network capabilities. By partnering with Infobip, it exposed network features through APIs that developers and businesses could easily use. This made it possible to build more personalized digital services, improve customer experience, and create new revenue opportunities beyond basic connectivity. 

4. Indosat Ooredoo: Accelerating international A2P SMS revenue growth 

Indosat Ooredoo needed to stop revenue loss from unregulated A2P SMS traffic. With Infobip’s SMS firewall and monetization solutions, the operator increased international A2P SMS revenue by more than 3x. Domestic traffic also grew by up to 10%, leading to cleaner traffic and stronger financial results. 

5. Jazz: Taking telco CX to the next level with conversational channels 

Jazz partnered with Infobip to modernize customer experience through conversational channels. By shifting high-volume customer interactions to digital self-service and automation, Jazz reduced pressure on call centers while improving response times and customer satisfaction. The partnership helped Jazz scale CX efficiently across millions of subscribers and strengthen its telco-to-techco journey. 

How to choose a telecom partner in 2026 

Not all telecom partners are the same. Use this simple checklist to find the right one: 

1. Understand your needs first 

Before you start evaluating partners, ask yourself: What do I really want to achieve? Do you need faster messaging, global reach, flexible APIs, or better customer engagement? Be clear about your goals – this will make choosing a partner much easier. 

2. Personalized approach 

Every business is different, and one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work. Ask yourself: Does this partner really understand my business, my customers, and my goals? Look for a technology partner that can customize solutions for your needs, offer guidance specific to your industry, and adapt as your business evolves. Personalization ensures you get the maximum value from your telecom partnership. 

3. Look for scalability 

Your partner should grow with you. Can they handle more users, channels, or regions as you grow? Pick a partner that scales with you so you don’t outgrow them in a year. 

4. Technology & innovation 

Choose partners who keep up with trends like cloud communications, APIs, AI automation, and omnichannel support. A partner that innovates helps you stay competitive too. 

5. Reliable support and integration 

Strong technical support, easy integration with your systems, and clear documentation are must-haves for long-term success. 

6. Transparent pricing and value 

Look for partners who offer clear, fair, and predictable costs. The goal isn’t just saving money, but value that supports growth without hidden costs. 

7. Proven track record 

Look for partners trusted by other companies. Check case studies, testimonials, or real results. If a partner consistently delivers, they’re more likely to deliver for you too. 

8. Security & compliance 

Your telecom partner must safeguard customer data and comply with global telecom and privacy standards. 

The partner that shapes your future 

In 2026, choosing the right telecom partner is a strategic choice that affects how you connect with customers, grow globally, and stay competitive. 

The best telecom partners do more than deliver messages. They help businesses and telecoms communicate smarter, innovate faster, and build stronger customer relationships. By selecting a partner who aligns with your goals, you’re preparing your business for growth, flexibility, and success in the years ahead.