Opening Keynote Panel: How is customer demand driving change in the telco mindset?

The telecom industry is experiencing significant changes with new architecture and models, particularly through next-gen infrastructure. Some operators have adopted a “techco” business model, providing infrastructure, enhanced by value-added services through partnerships and others have opted for pure infrastructure play, doubling down on unique routes and high quality bandwidth to differentiate. This is driven by enterprises wanting to consume network services from a platform with an on-demand, flexible app-store experience. This has a huge impact on the need for security mechanisms and interoperability between networks, as communications service providers contemplate the future of ICT connectivity fabrics. Luminaries from leading regional players will discuss these questions: 

• Is AI forcing the distinction between physical infrastructure owners and end-to-end service provision? What does that look like in the future? 

• How will managed network services evolve? 

• What will enterprises require from network operators going forwards? 

• Where are the emerging revenue opportunities and how do telcos differentiate themselves from other ecosystem players? 

• What commercial models or partnerships are going to work in the new ecosystem? 

• What are the immediate strategic priorities to maintain growth in the next three years? 

• What growth levers are being explored with a longer-term view?