Esri's telecom team put together a partner map for this year's show, and it got me thinking. Here's my take on which Esri UC 2026 booths in the Utilities, Telecom, and Water pavilion are worth carving out real time for, starting with the teams I work with directly.

Comcast proved distributed AI runs 76% cheaper at the edge. The operators winning aren't building something new — they're leveraging what they already own. But only if the foundation is right.

Organizations today are being asked to do more with fewer people, faster than ever before. In that environment, capacity is no longer a background concern. It becomes a competitive advantage. This essay explores why outsourcing is no longer about cost, but about sustaining execution, clarity, and progress when complexity keeps rising.

The true cost of free tools becomes clear when data leaves your hands and risk begins to grow. Learn how telecom leaders can protect their networks, strengthen governance, and build a more secure future.