Infosys Powers Telstra's 'Connected Future 30' with AI-First Core Modernization

Infosys, a global leader in digital services and consulting, has significantly expanded its collaboration with Telstra International, the global arm of Australia's premier telecommunications and technology company.[1][2] This strategic partnership is centered on accelerating Telstra International’s digital transformation by deploying an "AI-first" approach to modernize its core systems and operations.[3][4] The collaboration aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and provide crucial support for Telstra's ambitious new 'Connected Future 30' strategy.[5] For the broader technology and telecom sectors, this move signals a deepening trend of legacy companies leveraging specialized AI expertise to navigate the complexities of a digital-first world and unlock new avenues for growth and innovation.

The core of this expanded partnership lies in Infosys's role as a strategic technology partner, tasked with a comprehensive modernization of Telstra International's essential systems.[4][6] This initiative will leverage Infosys's AI-first set of services and platforms, including Infosys Topaz, to streamline operations, enhance connectivity, and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across Telstra's international business.[7][8] Telstra International, which operates a vast network spanning nearly 200 countries and territories with over 30 subsea cable systems, seeks to become more agile and responsive to the evolving demands of its global customer base.[1][2] By overhauling its software infrastructure and connectivity systems, Telstra aims to transition toward a more automated and digitally integrated environment, a critical step for a company whose network forms the backbone of digital connectivity for thousands of businesses worldwide.[3][5] The collaboration is not merely about technological upgrades; it is a strategic move to future-proof Telstra's infrastructure, enabling it to deliver more intelligent and responsive services.[4][8] This includes everything from optimizing network resource allocation to automating fault detection and service provisioning.[9]

This enhanced collaboration is a cornerstone of Telstra's 'Connected Future 30' strategy, a five-year corporate roadmap designed to maintain the company's competitive edge in an AI-driven era.[10][11] Unveiled in May 2025, the strategy is built on three main pillars: investing in nationwide low-latency connectivity, developing AI-powered programmable networks, and delivering personalized, data-informed customer experiences.[10] The partnership with Infosys directly addresses these pillars by providing the technological foundation necessary to evolve into a software-centric, AI-first connectivity company.[4][2] Telstra's goal is to move beyond simply selling bandwidth and instead offer value-added services like prioritized connectivity in congested areas or scalable bandwidth for seasonal business peaks.[12] Achieving this requires a sophisticated, AI-driven network that can proactively manage traffic, self-heal, and be programmed to meet specific customer needs—capabilities that the Infosys partnership is intended to build.[10][12] The strategy acknowledges that as technologies like AI become more widespread, the demand for secure, reliable, and high-capacity connectivity will only intensify.[12]

The implications of this partnership extend beyond the two companies, highlighting a significant shift within the global telecommunications industry. Telecom providers are increasingly recognizing that to stay competitive against nimble cloud hyperscalers and other digital natives, they must embrace automation and AI to enhance efficiency and innovate their service offerings.[3][10] The scale and complexity of modern telecom operations make them ideal candidates for AI-driven optimization, which can lead to substantial cost reductions and improved service quality.[13] Infosys has been actively developing AI solutions tailored for the telecom sector, including collaborations with tech giants like Nvidia to create tools that improve network operations and customer service.[14][15] These solutions aim to tackle challenges ranging from streamlining network service design to training contact center agents with realistic AI-generated simulations.[14][15] The Telstra-Infosys collaboration exemplifies this industry-wide trend, where deep technical expertise from digital services firms is leveraged to transform the core business of established telecom operators.[3][4]

In conclusion, the expanded alliance between Infosys and Telstra International represents a significant strategic investment in an AI-powered future. For Telstra, it is a critical enabler of its 'Connected Future 30' vision, aimed at transforming its international operations into a more agile, efficient, and customer-centric organization.[5][8] By modernizing its core systems with an AI-first methodology, Telstra is positioning itself to not only meet the surging global demand for connectivity but also to innovate and deliver next-generation services.[4][16] For Infosys, this collaboration reinforces its position as a key partner for major enterprises navigating digital transformation and underscores its expertise in applying AI to solve complex industry challenges.[1][7] Ultimately, this partnership serves as a prominent case study for the telecommunications industry, demonstrating a clear pathway for legacy providers to harness the power of AI, redefine their value proposition, and build a resilient and intelligent network for the future.