TL;DR: OpenAI and Circles are teaming up to build a fully AI-native telecom platform. Starting in Singapore, expanding globally, this bold partnership brings OpenAI’s best models into telco operations and customer apps—aiming to set new benchmarks for personalization, efficiency, and profitability in the telecom sector.
OpenAI and Singapore-based telco-tech specialist Circles have launched a global, multi-year partnership to build a fully AI-native telecom SaaS platform, marking a bold step toward redefining telecom services worldwide. (Mobile World Live, Capacity Media)
What’s Actually Happening
- The Vision: Create a platform that injects OpenAI’s leading-edge AI models directly into telecom operations—from research and support to CRM and customer insights.
- Launch Plan: Rolls out first in Singapore, powering Circles.Life’s digital telco app, before scaling to global operator partners.
- Access to Tech: Circles gains privileged access to OpenAI’s early-stage models and research programs—putting it at the vanguard of telco-AI innovation.
Why This Matters
- Telcos are under pressure: Declines in customer satisfaction (NPS), retention, and margins are rampant. Circles and OpenAI aim to reverse that with smarter, AI-infused tools.
- Game-changing AI in telecom: This isn’t mild automation—it’s “agentic AI” embedded in consumer-facing apps to understand context, personalize experiences across connectivity, shopping, travel, gaming, wellness, and more.
- Industry Benchmarking: Analysts liken this to what Nvidia does, but this stands out as SaaS-based and telco-focused—a fresh model that could reshape the industry.
Key Quotes—Straight to the Point
- Awais Malik, Global Chief Growth Officer at Circles:
“At Circles, our mission is to continuously push the boundaries of what a telco experience should be… OpenAI is a global pioneer in AI and we are thrilled to collaborate with them…” - Gaurav Tandon, VP of Product & AI Innovation at Circles:
“We’re excited to integrate OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI research with our proprietary data intelligence engine to reimagine digital connectivity from ground up.” - Oliver Jay, Managing Director for International at OpenAI:
“With OpenAI’s technology, Circles will be setting new standards for how AI can enhance consumers’ interactions with critical telco services. We look forward to working with Circles…”
What This Means Going Forward
- For Telcos: Forget one-size-fits-all upgrades. This partnership promises more personalized, context-aware services—from billing to entertainment—via an intelligent layer added atop existing systems.
- For Telecom Tech: This SaaS model could become the de facto standard for telcos globally that want to leap ahead in AI without building everything in-house.
- For Customers: Expect telco experiences that feel more like concierge services—AI-driven suggestions, seamless help, smart insights—versus the legacy labyrinth of menus and hold music.