1、IBM Institute for Business Value|Research InsightsFrom connectivity provider to growth partnerHow telcos can unlock potential with small and medium-sized enterprises2IBM helps communications service providers unlock new revenue potential through business and delivery transformation driven by hybrid

2、cloud and AI-first approaches across the value chain.Our solutions help optimize network operations,enable differentiated experiences across customers,employees,the edge,and beyond,and fortify cybersecurity.For more information,visit: IBM can helpDefining SMEs For the purposes of this research,SMEs

3、refer to businesses with 0 to 250 employees,segmented as follows:Micro enterprises:0 to 9 employees Small enterprises:10 to 49 employees Medium enterprises:50 to 250 employeesThis definition aligns with widely used international benchmarks and reflects the employee thresholds applied across the 22-c

4、ountry survey sample.While SME classifications vary by region and regulatory context,this framework captures the breadth of the segment while enabling meaningful comparisons across size bands.3Contents Introduction Waking an underserved giant .6Part one From connectivity to integration:The CSPs blue

5、print for SME digital success.9Part two From promises to performance:SLAs as dynamic operational platforms .18 Part three From add-ons to accountability:How CSPs can lead in SME security .25 Action guide .324Peter JarichHead of GSMA IntelligenceThe next growth frontier for telco operators lies with

6、small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs)a segment that is both vast and increasingly digital.SMEs constitute the overwhelming majority of businesses worldwide,and their rising dependence on cloud,AI,automation,and secure connectivity puts them at the center of future demand.Yet the same scale and di