Russia’s Telecom Market Is to Grow on the Back of AI Agents
BSS system modernization is also set to drive growth.
In 2026, experts expect Russia’s telecom software market to expand. The main growth drivers will be the modernization of BSS systems (Business Support Systems) and the adoption of artificial intelligence. The forecast was published by Nexign, a company that develops high-tech solutions for various sectors of the economy.
According to analysts, telecom operators are transforming into providers of a wide range of digital services, expanding 4G coverage and preparing to launch 5G networks. A spectrum auction for 5G networks is scheduled for 2026. The launch of an LTE network for IoT is also planned.
The outlook suggests that 61% of operators in Russia and the CIS will invest in upgrading BSS systems over the next two years. In the longer term, regulators may classify BSS systems as critical information infrastructure, given that they process large volumes of financial transactions and personal data.
Demand is also expected to grow for modular solutions with low-code and no-code tools. At the same time, 70% of companies in Russia already use low-code tools.
AI Agents and Security
As Nexign noted, approaches to security in the telecom sector are also changing. Operators are developing anti-fraud systems, introducing call and message labeling, and moving en masse to domestic information security solutions. Plans are in place to create a unified IMEI database and to ban firmware reflashing in order to block gray-market devices.
In 2026, the number of commercial deployments of AI agents is expected to rise, both for customer support and for infrastructure maintenance. Of the operators surveyed in a global study, 80% are developing or have already deployed chatbots based on generative AI. Another 44% of respondents are using autonomous AI agents in customer interaction systems.
