The Distillery #6: The UK's Great Banking AI Experiment & Infobip's Messaging Trends

In this edition:
- UK financial firms can now experiment with AI, thanks to NVIDIA and the FCA
- Infobip's 3 biggest mobile messaging trends examined
- We reveal the opportunities that SGP.32 is set to create within cellular IoT
- Our latest insights on AI in cellular networks, shared mobility, soft POS, and VodafoneThree
TELECOMS & CONNECTIVITY
How SGP.32 is Supercharging the Next Cellular IoT Boom

6.5 billion. That’s the number of cellular IoT connections we’re forecasting by 2030 — and SGP.32 is set to play a huge role in making sure these connections are managed faster, cheaper, and more flexibly than ever before.
To mark the release of our new cellular IoT research, we’re offering an exclusive look at three opportunities SGP.32 will create for operators, IoT MVNOs, and others in the connectivity orchestration space.
🟣 SGP.32 is more than just remote provisioning. It lets enterprises switch providers faster and more often; slashing provisioning time and cost. That places orchestration front and centre, giving operators and platforms who master multi-network management a real competitive edge.
🟣 eSIM becomes viable for low-cost hardware. Simpler integration and fewer hurdles mean eSIMs can now power devices such as alarms and sensors; opening new markets and fresh revenue opportunities for operators to scale IoT like never before.
🟣 Security has long been a barrier for cellular IoT adoption. SGP.32 changes the game by adding stronger lifecycle management and built-in cybersecurity; which should ease enterprises' concerns over device security and embolden wider IoT deployments.
FINTECH & PAYMENTS
FCA and Nvidia Team Up to Help UK Banks Experiment with AI

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a “supercharged sandbox” with NVIDIA, giving banks early-stage access to AI tools, data, and regulatory support.
Starting in October, firms can experiment with NVIDIA’s AI Enterprise Software to explore safe AI use; tackling challenges like privacy and fraud. The FCA says the initiative aims to boost innovation and help firms lacking in-house capabilities while supporting market growth.
Distilled...
🟣 This sandbox aims to tackle key barriers to AI adoption within financial services, including data access, compliance uncertainty, and infrastructure gaps. By participating, firms can accelerate the development and launch of advanced, compliant AI solutions - gaining a clear edge over competitors.
🟣 Giving financial services firms a safe space to experiment with AI will be crucial to unlocking efficiency savings from AI integration. Our research on the topic says UK banks are already saving $129 million this year; climbing to $3.9 billion by 2030.
🟣 Smaller firms may struggle to meet the technical, financial, or resource demands needed to participate; risking larger players dominating the field. The FCA introducing scaled participation tiers or subsidised access could balance things and prevent AI advancements from concentrating within a few firms.
TELECOMS & CONNECTIVITY
Infobip Industry Analyst Summit: 3 Messaging Trends to Watch

At last week’s Infobip Industry Analyst Summit, Ivan Ostojić, Chief Business Officer at Infobip, highlighted three key trends shaping the shift from simple messaging to real conversations.
Click below to read our blog unpacking these trends and, together with our own insights, what they mean for the future of mobile messaging.
(A big thank you to the Infobip team for inviting us!)
ICYMI
Signal Boost
Every issue, we highlight the research, blogs, infographics, and insights we're especially proud of.
🔒 Mobile operators clearly don’t need a sandbox, judging by how they're set to invest over $17 billion in AI-driven network security over the next few years.
🚴 Shared mobility and micromobility are transforming travel in cities and rural areas alike, as cash-strapped youngsters move away from car ownership.
💳 Our latest infographic breaks down how soft POS is helping small businesses to boost sales, cut costs, and simplify payments.
📱 And finally, Vodafone and Three have joined forces to become VodafoneThree. Here’s what this means for UK telecoms.
Latest research, whitepapers & press releases
-
ReportFebruary 2026Fintech & PaymentsKYC/KYB Systems Market: 2026-2030
Our KYC/KYB Systems research suite provides a detailed and insightful analysis of an evolving market; enabling stakeholders such as financial institutions, eCommerce platforms, regulatory agencies and technology vendors to understand future growth, key trends and the competitive environment.
VIEW -
ReportFebruary 2026Telecoms & ConnectivityRCS for Business Market: 2026-2030
Our comprehensive RCS for Business research suite provides an in‑depth evaluation of a market poised for rapid expansion over the next five years. It equips stakeholders with clear insight into the most significant opportunities emerging over the next two years.
VIEW -
ReportFebruary 2026Fintech & PaymentsMobile Money in Emerging Markets: 2026-2030
Our Mobile Money in Emerging Markets research report provides detailed evaluation and analysis of the ways in which the mobile financial services space is evolving and developing.
VIEW -
ReportJanuary 2026IoT & Emerging TechnologyPost-quantum Cryptography Market: 2026-2035
Juniper Research’s Post-quantum Cryptography (PQC) research suite provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of this market; enabling stakeholders, including PQC-enabled platform providers, specialists, cybersecurity consultancies, and many others, to understand future growth, key trends, and the competitive environment.
VIEW -
ReportJanuary 2026Telecoms & ConnectivityMVNO in a Box Market: 2026-2030
Juniper Research’s MVNO in a Box research suite provides Mobile Virtual Network Enablers, Mobile Virtual Network Aggregators, and other players with detailed analysis and strategic recommendations for monetising demand for MVNO in a Box services.
VIEW -
ReportDecember 2025Telecoms & ConnectivityAI Agents for Customer Experience Platforms Market: 2025-2030
Our comprehensive AI Agents for Customer Experience Platforms research suite comprises detailed assessment of a market that is set to disrupt mobile communications. It provides stakeholders with insight into the key opportunities within the AI agents for customer experience platforms market over the next two years.
VIEW
-
WhitepaperFebruary 2026Telecoms & ConnectivityProtecting Users from Scam Ads: A Call for Social Media Platform Accountability
In this new whitepaper commissioned by Revolut, Juniper Research examines how scam advertising has become embedded across major social media platforms, quantifies the scale of user exposure and financial harm, and explains why current detection and enforcement measures are failing to keep pace.
VIEW -
WhitepaperFebruary 2026Fintech & PaymentsThe Next Steps for Mobile Money – Interoperability and Openness
Our complimentary whitepaper, The Next Steps for Mobile Money – Interoperability and Openness, analyses how interoperability and open platforms can drive new growth opportunities through partnerships with key stakeholders.
VIEW -
WhitepaperJanuary 2026IoT & Emerging TechnologyPreparing for Q-Day: Post-quantum Security Shift
Our complimentary whitepaper, Preparing for Q-Day: Post-quantum Security Shift, assesses the factors which are increasing interest in adopting PQC, and challenges to PQC adoption. Additionally, it includes a forecast summary of the global spend on PQC by 2035.
VIEW -
WhitepaperJanuary 2026Telecoms & ConnectivityHow Fintechs and Retail Companies Are Changing Mobile Services
Our complimentary whitepaper, How Fintechs and Retail Companies Are Changing Mobile Services, explores the key enterprises entering the MVNO market and launching mobile services via MVNO in a Box partners. It also provides forecasts for total MVNO revenue from mobile subscribers in 2030.
VIEW -
WhitepaperJanuary 2026IoT & Emerging TechnologyTop 10 Emerging Tech Trends 2026
See which emerging technologies will shape enterprise strategy and investment in 2026; from post-quantum cryptography to neuromorphic computing and next-generation infrastructure.
VIEW -
WhitepaperDecember 2025Telecoms & ConnectivityHuman + AI: Drivers of Customer Experience AI Agents in 2026
Our complimentary whitepaper, Human + AI: Drivers of Customer Experience AI Agents in 2026, examines the key drivers of the AI agents for customer experience platforms market in 2025.
VIEW
-
Telecoms & Connectivity
AI Agent Spend for Customer Experience to Grow 400% Globally Over Next Two Years
February 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
Fraudulent eCommerce Transactions to Surpass $131 Billion by 2030 Globally; Driven by Escalating Friendly Fraud
February 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
Mobile Money Users in Emerging Markets to Reach 2.2 Billion by 2030, as Interoperability and Integration Drive Growth
February 2026 -
Telecoms & Connectivity
Juniper Research Unveils 2026’s Telecoms & Connectivity Award Winners
January 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
Civic Identity Apps, Tokenisation, & AI to Revolutionise Fraud & Security Globally in 2026
January 2026 -
Telecoms & Connectivity
eSIM Connections to Reach 1.5bn Globally in 2026, But Platforms Must Adapt to Fuel Growing IoT Demand
January 2026