During the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit, Andrew Feinberg, President & CEO at BostonGene and Chairman & CEO at Netcracker, shared his perspective on the digital transformation program and the significance of the Middle East market in an exclusive interview.
When asked about the key factors for a successful digital transformation program, Feinberg emphasized that digital transformation is not solely about technology but involves various other factors. He stated, “Digital transformation is crucial for the future success of telecom operators worldwide. Globally implemented programs must be primarily customer-centric. Recognizing that technology is just one facet of digital success, transformation needs to be holistic and supported operationally, culturally, and from a business standpoint. It must be driven top-down, understanding that change is inherently complex. For proper governance, transformation is mandatory. The right order is needed to drive transformation from a business perspective and enable technology to support this, not the other way around.”
Importance of the Middle East Market for Netcracker
Addressing the importance of the Middle East market for Netcracker, Feinberg expressed its paramount significance and enthusiasm for collaboration with local players. He stated, “The Middle East is of paramount importance to Netcracker. The region is witnessing substantial growth and innovation.” He expressed Netcracker's eagerness to collaborate on delivering next-generation technologies and contributing to the region's innovative solutions, concluding, “The Middle East is emerging as a standard-bearer for various vertical industries globally.”
Harnessing the Power of AI
In his keynote presentation, Andrew Feinberg provided insights into the advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI. He highlighted how Netcracker and BostonGene strategically utilize these technologies across diverse industries, extending beyond telecommunications and medicine. Feinberg delved into BostonGene's revolutionary AI-based molecular and immune profiling technology, emphasizing its groundbreaking contributions to addressing the complexities of cancer treatment. He explained how advanced AI enables BostonGene to pioneer new approaches in comprehending and treating the intricate challenges posed by cancer, stating, “Traditionally, when we think about cancer, we think about DNA, but that is just a sliver of understanding that we have of this incredibly complex disease.”
Feinberg underscored BostonGene's commitment to a holistic and patient-centric approach with the slogan “treat the patient, not the disease,” signaling a shift towards individualized care. The keynote expanded its focus to Netcracker, the global telecom arm of NEC, highlighting its pivotal role in facilitating the telco to techco transformation journey. Feinberg elucidated how Netcracker contributes to business growth by enabling telcos to monetize networks with innovative business models, enhance customer engagement, and expand their value proposition into verticals beyond traditional telecom offerings. In discussing business efficiency, he emphasized Netcracker's support for increasing network agility, efficiency, and security, as well as improving internal digitalization skills and optimizing IT and operational costs.
Network Performance Problems and AI
Feinberg further elaborated on Netcracker's extensive use of analytics-driven applications across various domains, showcasing their relevance and effectiveness in optimizing diverse facets of the company's operations. The keynote also highlighted tangible business benefits derived from AI implementation, including a 50% reduction in human-services contacts, a notable 15-20% increase in sales productivity, a significant 36% acceleration in skilled personnel response times, a substantial 35% decrease in the risk of incidents, and a remarkable 60% reduction in network performance problems. These statistics underscored the transformative impact of AI across various dimensions, showcasing its effectiveness in enhancing efficiency and mitigating risks in different operational aspects.
