Posted On 13-09-2025

• Surging 5G Deployments: The rollout of 5G networks across the US by leading telecom operators such as AT&T and Verizon is rapidly increasing the complexity of network policies. These companies are investing in advanced policy management solutions to enable dynamic traffic steering, network slicing, and differentiated service levels. According to Verizon’s Q1 2024 report, their aggressive 5G expansion led to increased adoption of artificial intelligence-driven policy control systems, which enable better management of bandwidth and user experience. This technological advancement drives the demand for scalable and flexible policy management platforms.
• Growing Data Consumption and Regulatory Compliance: The exponential rise in data consumption due to IoT devices and OTT applications is challenging telecom providers to enforce fair usage policies, prevent network congestion, and comply with evolving FCC regulations. Companies like Cisco have introduced policy management suites tailored to handle surge in data traffic and ensure regulatory compliance, providing telecom operators with improved traffic visibility, advanced analytics, and automated policy enforcement.

• Adoption of AI and Machine Learning: US telecom companies are increasingly integrating AI and ML into policy management platforms to enable predictive analytics for network optimization, proactive congestion management, and personalized user experiences. For example, Ericsson partnered with T-Mobile in Feb 2024 to deploy ML-powered dynamic network policy solutions that reduce latency and help manage surges in streaming and gaming traffic.
• Cloud-Native Policy Management Solutions: The industry is shifting towards cloud-native architectures for policy management, driven by the need for real-time scalability and agile service delivery. In March 2024, Amdocs announced the launch of a containerized, cloud-based policy management suite, enabling telecom operators like Sprint to accelerate 5G services rollout, quickly deploy new policy rules, and reduce total cost of ownership.

• Expansion into Private 5G Networks: With the proliferation of private 5G networks in sectors like manufacturing and healthcare, there is significant opportunity for policy management vendors like Nokia to offer industry-specific policy solutions that ensure security, customized QoS, and efficient data handling tailored to enterprise needs.
• Integration with Edge Computing: As telecom providers deploy edge computing infrastructure to minimize latency and deliver rich content, integrating policy management at the edge presents a new growth avenue. Companies such as VMware are developing solutions allowing for local policy enforcement to optimize network performance for emerging applications such as AR/VR.

• In May 2024, AT&T announced the deployment of an AI-driven policy control function that dynamically allocates bandwidth and prioritizes critical applications on its 5G network. This innovation allows AT&T to offer ultra-low latency services and differentiated experiences to enterprise customers, reflecting a significant advancement in policy enforcement capabilities.
• In April 2024, Nokia unveiled a cloud-native policy management platform specifically designed for private 5G deployments. The company reported that major US manufacturers have begun piloting this solution to address industrial automation and network security requirements, marking a strategic expansion beyond traditional telecom operators.
• In March 2024, Cisco signed a partnership with a leading regional telecom provider to integrate its unified policy management suite with the provider’s edge computing infrastructure. This collaboration enables real-time enforcement of user and application policies at the network edge, supporting the rapid growth of IoT and immersive media services.