Our annual top emerging technologies for 2026 include the 10 most important technologies reshaping how people live, work, and buy. Like last year, AI continues to dominate, but this year we identify new applied AI technologies, such as agentic commerce and autonomous transportation, that consumers and others will experience directly, while technologies like agentic software development and physical AI will help innovators build the future that consumers will soon experience. Lastly, technologies like frontier models and AI security and trust will fuel the innovators and builders creating the future. In this report, we explain what these technologies are, when to expect value, and where to look first.

6G is the sixth generation of wireless technology, expected to launch commercially around 2030. It promises ultrahigh speeds (up to 1 Tbps), near-zero latency, and pervasive intelligence through AI-native networks. Unlike previous generations, 6G will integrate terrestrial and nonterrestrial networks, operate in THz spectrum, and embed sensing capabilities into communication infrastructure. These advances will enable transformative applications like holographic communication, autonomous mobility, and global connectivity, and organizations should begin planning for ecosystem readiness and risk assessment. This report describes 6G drivers, benefits, and major use cases in eight industries.

MWC 2026 in Barcelona made one thing clear: The 5G hype has finally cooled, and the industry is sprinting toward what’s next. While I was on the ground navigating the chaos of the Fira, my partner Octavio was tracking the global signals from the digital sidelines. Between my sore feet and his high-level view, we’ve […]

You can use secure access service edge (SASE) services to deliver on business outcomes, maximize IT spend, and address scarcity of resources. But to realize these benefits, you’ll first have to select from a diverse set of vendors that vary by size, type of offering, geography, and use case differentiation. Networking and security leaders should use this report to understand the value they can expect from a SASE services vendor, learn how vendors differ, and investigate options based on size and market focus.

SpaceX’s latest FCC filing signals a bold escalation in the battle for AI infrastructure dominance: a proposal to deploy up to 1 million solar‑powered orbital data‑center satellites — positioning space, not Earth, as the next frontier for compute capacity. Framed as “the most efficient way to meet the accelerating demand for AI computing power” and […]

On January 14, Verizon experienced a major nationwide cellular service disruption that left subscribers across the country facing significant connectivity issues. Although outage report numbers climbed into the hundreds of thousands, this visible count represents only a small portion of the true impact. As is typical in large‑scale outages, many customers who encountered problems never […]

Edge computing and IoT are evolving rapidly, creating both opportunities and complexity for technology leaders. Confusion persists around edge fundamentals, and success depends on aligning IoT use cases with business priorities and fostering collaboration between IT and operational technology (OT) teams. Emerging trends such as AI at the edge, enhanced observability, advanced security models, sustainability solutions, and edge development platforms will reshape strategies in 2025. This report explains the core concepts, outlines critical collaboration practices, and highlights the top 10 trends to help enterprises build resilient, future-ready edge and IoT initiatives.

The space industry is entering a new era of innovation and investment, driven by reusable launch technologies, miniaturized satellites, and an insatiable demand for global connectivity. Low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) constellations promise to bridge the digital divide, enable advanced applications, and unlock markets that were previously out of reach. Yet, despite the excitement, these solutions will take time to mature and deliver cost-effective connectivity at scale. This report explores the opportunities and limitations of satellite connectivity, helping business and technology leaders determine where it fits into their strategy — and when.

Infrastructure is back in the spotlight as AI reshapes enterprise technology priorities. In 2025, major vendors are talking vectors and knowledge graphs, telling their clients zero stories, and showcasing their infrastructure strategies to support AI workloads. This renewed focus has elevated infrastructure from a commodity to a strategic enabler. Emerging interest in satellite, quantum, and power/cooling innovations further expands the definition of infrastructure. This report outlines the top 10 infrastructure trends of 2025 and explains how they affect your strategy and investments.

Leadership Defined By Business Outcomes The private 5G services market has evolved dramatically, and our new evaluation, The Forrester Wave™: Private 5G Services, Q4 2025, reflects this transformation. What was once a race to deliver connectivity has become a competition to deliver enterprise-ready, outcome-driven solutions. The leaders in this space are no longer just network providers — […]