As telecom providers scale 5G, prepare for 6G, and adopt AI, they face rising demands for performance, automation, and strict data residency. Global mobile traffic is increasing by more than 25% year over year, driving the need for infrastructure to support massive data growth, low-latency workloads, and advanced services such as private 5G, edge compute, and IoT. Industry analysts expect AI adoption in telecom to accelerate sharply in 2026, with IDC highlighting enterprise edge and AI-driven intelligence as key investment areas. To stay ahead, telecom operators require cloud infrastructure that delivers high performance, sovereign control, and predictable economics while supporting both today’s network workloads and tomorrow’s AI-powered innovations.

Infrastructure designed for telecom

Telecom networks depend on infrastructure that is reliable, distributed, and engineered for performance-sensitive workloads. Vultr provides high-performance cloud compute, bare metal, and cloud GPU instances across 32 global cloud data center regions, enabling operators to deploy latency-critical applications wherever needed. Vultr Kubernetes Engine (VKE) supports the containerization and orchestration of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) and Cloud Native Functions (CNFs). At the same time, autoscaling ensures seamless performance during traffic spikes or rapid service expansion. As operators launch new network functions, enterprise services, and edge compute offerings, Vultr provides the flexibility to deploy workloads consistently across regions, without lock-in or unnecessary complexity.

The growing role of AI and real-time network intelligence

AI is becoming central to how telecom networks are planned, optimized, and operated. Operators are using AI for traffic forecasting, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, fraud prevention, and automated customer support. These models require scalable GPU compute, distributed data pipelines, and low latency inference.

Vultr supports this shift with cloud GPU, managed Kubernetes, and serverless inference. Operators can run AI models for Radio Access Network (RAN) optimization, Quality of Service (QoS) prediction, and network automation near subscribers and data sources, thereby improving response times and operational efficiency. Whether training new models or deploying real-time inference, Vultr enables the operationalization of telecom AI without making it a dependency of the core network.

Flexibility without the hyperscaler trade-offs

Traditional telecom workloads run on hyperscaler clouds, often introducing complexity and unpredictable costs. High egress fees, complex pricing structures, and restrictive ecosystems make it difficult for operators to scale efficiently. Telecom providers also require sovereignty controls to keep data within the country and maintain compliance with local regulatory frameworks.

Vultr delivers transparent, predictable pricing that is typically 30 to 50% lower than hyperscalers. Operators gain the freedom to innovate with open APIs, Terraform compatibility, Kubernetes-native architectures, and an interoperable ecosystem. With sovereign cloud options, IAM controls, and customer-managed encryption, Vultr enables operators to deploy and manage sensitive workloads while maintaining security and ensuring compliance with jurisdictional regulations..

Practical telecom use cases

Telecom operators are using Vultr to modernize infrastructure, scale APIs, and deliver new enterprise services with flexibility and predictable performance:

• Network infrastructure modernization: Operators are shifting from legacy hardware to VNFs and CNFs that require deterministic performance and consistent deployment across markets. With Vultr Bare Metal and VKE, providers can roll out modernized cores, signaling systems, and microservices faster, while maintaining predictable cost structures. Customers like 3CX use Vultr to scale globally with predictable pricing and high reliability.
• Messaging, identity, and API-driven services: Telecom APIs, including Short Message Service (SMS), Rich Communication Services (RCS), identity verification, number lookup, and fraud detection, are scaling globally. VoIP.ms utilizes Vultr to deliver reliable, high-performance communication services in over 125 countries, thereby reducing costs while expanding its reach.
• Large-scale IoT ingestion and analytics: IoT devices generate billions of events daily. Vultr Object Storage, cloud GPU, and distributed compute help operators process telemetry at scale for smart city infrastructure, industrial automation, and enterprise IoT platforms. Our IoT use case shows how cloud GPUs support real-time image processing and high-volume data analytics.
• Fraud detection and network intelligence: Veriswitch powers its SmartShield platform on Vultr to intercept 90-95% of spam calls with high accuracy. Vultr Cloud Compute, cloud GPU, and network isolation support real-time analytics at telecom scale.
• Media delivery and real-time communications: Global Real-Time Communications (RTC), live video, and broadcasting services require low-latency performance. Vultr Cloud GPU and regional compute locations support encoding, transcoding, conferencing, and broadcast workflows. Caton Technologies utilizes Vultr to deliver ultra-low-latency live video over IP, ensuring high-quality, reliable real-time broadcasts across regions.
• 5G, 6G, and edge services: Next-generation applications such as AR and VR, robotics, and autonomous systems require hybrid MEC deployments. Vultr provides regional compute, Direct Connect, and GPU acceleration that integrate seamlessly with telecom edge locations, enabling high-performance edge services without hyperscaler complexity. Our Physical AI for Robotics use case shows how cloud GPUs and 5G/6G networks enable advanced robotics workloads.

Why telecom operators choose Vultr

Operators choose Vultr for its performance, flexibility, and cost efficiency. Vultr offers predictable pricing, an open ecosystem, and enterprise-grade infrastructure across 32 global cloud data center regions. Telecom teams can modernize networks, deploy AI workloads, and launch new edge and enterprise services while reducing cost and maintaining sovereignty and control.

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Visit our telecom page to learn more about how Vultr can accelerate your telecom operators.