Can telecoms turn data into action? Seven-dimension model maps readiness

A new study in the International Journal of Business Information Systems has developed a framework to help telecommunications companies evaluate their use of big data. The research, involving 50 experts, refines and tests an existing maturity model, revealing how well organizations manage, analyze, and utilize data. The model incorporates seven dimensions: data governance, market strategy, network performance, business development, customers, investments, and innovation.

These are further divided into five maturity levels, enabling weighted scores to pinpoint where a company excels and where improvements are needed.

The researchers argue that traditional, generic maturity models may not fully capture the unique demands of the telecommunications sector. Data plays a crucial role in network management, predictive maintenance, traffic optimization, fraud detection, and customer behavior analysis. Furthermore, the industry is increasingly reliant on real-time data, distributed infrastructure, and automated decision-making. Therefore, any framework must be operational and not merely theoretical.

This seven-dimension maturity model could potentially pave the way for developing similar sector-specific models for other data-intensive industries. The study, authored by Fatmir Desku et al., is published in the International Journal of Business Information Systems (2026) and can be accessed via DOI: 10.1504/ijbis.2026.155571.