Jeff Kagan Industry Analyst
Industry Analyst and Strategic Advisor Jeff Kagan on the future with AI, IoT, data
ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, April 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — As the 2026 NAB Show approaches (April 18–22, 2026), Industry Analyst and Strategic Advisor Jeff Kagan is raising a critical question for investors, competitors, employees, and the media: What will the cable TV and telecommunications industry of tomorrow look like, and who will the leaders be going forward?
“First, step back and look at the big picture,” says Kagan. “The entire telecommunications industry, once again, is in a period of transformation, impacting cable TV, wireless, telephone, data, Internet, IoT, and more.”
This is not the first time the industry has undergone major change. However, today’s transformation, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, may be one of the fastest and most significant yet.
Historically, such shifts have redefined industry leadership, creating new winners while leaving past winners behind. Recall how Motorola and Blackberry led until Apple iPhone and Google Android entered the picture.
Today, certain services like traditional cable TV are declining, while other services like broadband, wireless, IoT, data networks, and more are growing. That being said, cable TV companies face new competition. For example, FWA is allowing wireless competitors to enter the home and business broadband markets.
AI is now at the forefront of this next evolution, rapidly reshaping how companies operate, compete, and serve customers. Alongside AI, technologies like IoT and advanced data networks are all expected to play a major role in the industry’s future.
“AI has quickly moved onto the radar of investors, customers, and employees,” Kagan explains. “It is transforming the world as we know it, and doing so at an unprecedented pace.”
This shift carries major implications not only for telecommunications companies but also for the businesses and consumers they serve, and for society as a whole.
“This moment is similar to the early days of the commercial Internet in the 1990s,” Kagan adds. “Some companies will win big, while others will struggle to find their path forward. Right now, the AI noise level and chaos are very high.”
Companies across the industry are investing heavily in AI, recruiting talent, modernizing infrastructure, and rethinking products and services to stay competitive. However, many senior executives are still working to fully understand the technology and its implications.
“Most CEOs and senior leaders were not trained in AI, just as they were not trained for the Internet revolution decades ago,” says Kagan. “That’s why many today are bringing in a CAIO and AI experts to guide them through this massive and important transition.”
Over the next decade, the industry is expected to experience rapid growth, along with periods of uncertainty and disruption. Every company aims to emerge as a leader, and billions are being invested to do so. That being said, not all will succeed.
Some companies will adapt to AI successfully and remain competitive in the new market. Others will struggle to keep pace, while some risk being left behind entirely as the AI-driven transformation accelerates over the next decade and beyond.
Looking ahead to the 2026 NAB Show, Kagan expects greater clarity from industry players on AI, IoT, and data networks.
“I will be looking for clear direction and strategy from both major and emerging competitors,” he says. “This is a moment when a massive change wave is sweeping across not just telecom, but every industry, every workforce, and every investor.”
Kagan adds that while the initial AI shockwave has already hit, the focus is now shifting toward execution, long-term strategy, execution and remaining competitive.
This is where investors will be looking for companies’ new growth strategies.
“At this year’s 2026 NAB Show, I expect companies to outline their next steps on how they plan to compete, grow, and lead in this new AI era.”
With a full schedule of meetings and briefings, Kagan notes strong engagement from companies eager to share their strategies. “Everyone wants to be seen and heard in a very noisy and chaotic industry,” he says.
“My calendar is filling quickly with discussions from both existing clients and new companies,” he says. “They want their direction and growth strategies to be seen, heard, and understood and compared favorably within the broader marketplace.”
The 2026 NAB Show will feature a wide range of industry leaders, large and small, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Altice, Cox, DISH, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, AWS, Apple, Cisco, Google Cloud, NVIDIA, Oracle, Panasonic, Seagate, and many others.
About Jeff Kagan
Jeff Kagan is an Atlanta-based ICT Industry Analyst, Strategic Advisor, Consultant, Influencer, and Keynote Speaker. For more than 40 years, he has provided expert analysis on wireless, telecom, 5G, 6G, AI, Internet, and emerging technology trends.
Kagan advises CEOs, CMOs, CAIOs, and senior leadership teams as they navigate industry transformation and the evolving AI landscape. His work spans both B2B and B2C markets, offering insights into innovation, market shifts, and competitive strategy.
Former AT&T Executive Vice President of Public Relations Dick Martin wrote in Tough Calls: AT&T and the Hard Lessons Learned from the Telecom Wars:
“Jeff Kagan has been described as the most widely quoted analyst in the telecommunications industry.”
Kagan has authored thousands of columns and articles, translating complex technological developments into clear, actionable insights for executives, investors, and the broader business community.
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