On the first day of the 18th Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit, held on December 10-11, 2024, at the Ritz-Carlton in Dubai, experts on the Telecom Review Leaders’ panel explored key priorities for today's ICT leaders. The discussions focused on strategies for drafting and executing policies influenced by AI, analyzing its role in technological evolution, and examining the impact of 5G-Advanced on the ICT sector.
The panelists included Sylvain Seignour, President, Netcracker Technology; Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU); Vikram Sinha, CEO, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH); Bader Al Zidi, CEO, Vodafone Oman; and Mohamed Nasr, CEO, Telecom Egypt. The panel was moderated by Zakaria Chouaib, Managing Director, PMP Strategy MEA.
Onoe said that digital transformation opens up many opportunities for the ICT industry and that proper planning and collaboration amongst operators, vendors, regulators, and other industry stakeholders is vital for leveraging the potential of emerging technology such as 5G and AI.
Seignour noted that the ultimate customer journey will be determined by the agility of the network and will define the future model operation.
Sinha emphasized the critical role of artificial intelligence in the ICT sector, warning that countries failing to adopt AI quickly risk being left behind. He highlighted how AI can accelerate growth by speeding up the development and implementation of products and solutions. Sinha also stressed that robust digital infrastructure is essential for sustaining revenue growth in every country.
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Al Zidi, embracing the rise of AI, emphasized the need for operators to leverage AI and machine learning (ML) to monetize networks, maximize value, and fully utilize existing infrastructure. Nasr added to the discussion by highlighting the potential of partnerships with hyperscalers and the integration of subsea cables and AI. He stressed the importance of collaboration among industry players and stakeholders to ensure competitiveness within shared infrastructure.
Nasr also pointed out the critical need to clearly understand the requirements of data centers and fiber cables to avoid inefficient investments. The panel concluded by underscoring the necessity of building a sustainable and green ICT ecosystem, emphasizing the use of advanced technologies and strategies that promote interoperability across the ICT sector.
