2026, A Year of Diverging Market Dynamics
One of the defining characteristics of 2026 will be the growing divergence between markets. The telecom and digital services ecosystem is no longer moving at a uniform pace globally.
“In some regions, we see strong growth dynamics driven by bundled offers and content strategies, particularly in parts of the Middle East,” explains Guillaume Briche. “In others, markets are consolidating, focusing on customer retention and value creation in highly competitive environments.”
This contrast is pushing telecom operators to reassess their positioning. While some continue to explore diversification through media, payments, or new digital services, others are refocusing on core connectivity while seeking partnerships to unlock new revenue streams. Initiatives such as RCS and Open Gateway reflect this search for scalable, standardized solutions, though their success in 2026 will largely depend on execution speed and operational alignment.
“These initiatives address very real challenges,” Briche notes. “Open Gateway, for example, aims to reduce fragmentation by standardizing operator APIs. But the key question is execution: governance, alignment, and time to market will determine success.”
The Turning Point for Local and Alternative Payment Methods: From Optional to Strategic Differentiator
In 2026, digital payments will no longer be a secondary consideration in service design. They will be a central strategic lever. While Direct Carrier Billing remains a strong pillar of digital monetization, alternative payment methods are becoming indispensable. Digital wallets, mobile money, and local payment schemes are rapidly gaining adoption, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
This year, the ability to orchestrate multiple payment methods seamlessly, based on geography, use case, and consumer behaviour, will differentiate successful digital players from the rest. This is particularly true as payment use cases expand beyond entertainment into everyday services such as ticketing, transport, parking, and live events.
“These payment methods are not replacing DCB. They are complementing it. Together, they create stronger, more resilient monetization models that adapt to local realities.”
Consumer Behaviour in 2026: Shorter, Faster, More Contextual
Another major force shaping 2026 is the continued evolution of consumer behaviour. Content consumption formats are becoming shorter, more fragmented, and increasingly context driven.
Short video formats, often under two minutes, are now mainstream. Short-form drama content is growing rapidly, and user journeys are increasingly spread across multiple screens, TV, smartphones, and PCs, often within the same experience.
At the same time, conversational interfaces powered by AI are redefining how users discover content and services. This shift is already impacting digital marketing strategies, giving rise to new approaches such as Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), where visibility within AI-generated responses becomes as important as traditional SEO.
“In 2026, brands will need to think differently about discovery,” notes Guillaume Briche. “Being present where AI-driven conversations happen will be essential.”
Artificial Intelligence: From Technology Topic to Organizational Transformation
If there is one transversal trend that will define 2026, it is generative AI. Its impact goes far beyond efficiency gains or content creation.
For Digital Virgo, AI has evolved into a company-wide transformation topic, affecting product development, digital marketing, compliance, translation, customer journeys, and internal operations. The challenge for 2026 will not be access to technology, but adoption at scale.
Rather than reducing the importance of human expertise, AI is reinforcing it. Soft skills, judgment, and contextual understanding will become even more valuable as automation increases. Companies that invest in training, governance, and ethical frameworks around AI will be better positioned to adapt to rapid change.
“The real competitive advantage is no longer about the tools themselves, it’s about how people use AI. It’s about empowering teams to work faster, smarter, and more creatively.”
Regulation and Trust: A Defining Factor for the Coming Years
As digital services expand into new use cases, regulation will play an increasingly central role in 2026. Payment services, AI systems, data usage, and content distribution are all subject to growing regulatory scrutiny.
In Europe, the upcoming AI Act illustrates how governments are seeking to ensure transparency, safety, and trust in AI-driven systems. Similar trends are visible worldwide, reflecting broader concerns around sovereignty, consumer protection, and data governance.
“In this context, local presence becomes a real competitive advantage,” says Briche. “Regulation is not the same in Nigeria, Brazil, Poland, or France. Understanding and anticipating these differences is essential.”
For digital players, compliance will no longer be just a cost of doing business, it will be a differentiator that enables long-term partnerships and sustainable growth.
What 2025 Made Possible and Why It Matters for 2026
While 2026 is clearly about what comes next, the foundations were laid in 2025. For Digital Virgo, last year validated long-term strategic choices: geographic expansion, investment in AI and platforms, diversification of payment methods, and a strong focus on local execution.
These elements now position the group to address the challenges of 2026 with confidence. More importantly, they illustrate a broader lesson for the industry: success in digital monetization is built over time, through consistency, adaptability, and execution excellence.
“2025 was a great year at several levels. What we are seeing today is the result of investments and strategic decisions made over many years.”
The Next Phase of Digital Monetization: A Clear Direction for the Year Ahead
As 2026 unfolds, the digital ecosystem will continue to fragment, accelerate, and diversify. For telecom operators, fintech players, and digital service providers, the ability to combine innovation with operational discipline will be decisive.
Digital Virgo’s vision for 2026 is clear: deliver scalable, compliant, and locally relevant monetization solutions in a world where payments, AI, and consumer expectations are evolving faster than ever. By staying close to markets, investing in people and technology, and focusing on solutions, not only products, the group aims to remain a trusted partner in shaping the future of digital services.
