The 18th edition of the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit organized a panel on infrastructure deployment which explored the critical factors shaping telecom networks' future. This panel was moderated by Firas Mhedhebi, Managing Director at PMP Strategy Dubai.
Industry experts contributing to the discourse included Maria Stebneva, Head of Sales, Canada, Juniper Networks; Femi Oshiga, Vice President of Sales for Outdoor Wireless Networks, CommScope; Rashid Al Ahmadi, COO, InfraX; Jérémie Mekaelian, Director of Business Development for IT & Networks, Sofrecom; Tony Geheran, President, Strategic Broadband Consulting; Hasan Alshemeili, Head of Technology Planning, du; and Emaad Ahmed, Chief Expert Carrier Business, Huawei ME&CA Region.
Matching Rapid Technological Advancements
Infrastructure deployment is at the heart of enabling digital transformation, but challenges persist in terms of pace, innovation, and collaboration. Huawei’s representative emphasized the urgency of modernizing processes to match rapid technological advancements. "As technology evolves, we need to act swiftly to ensure infrastructure keeps pace," the panelists remarked.
The discussion also highlighted the increasing complexity of the digital ecosystem. Geheran noted the critical need for robust security frameworks that integrate seamlessly with business operations. "Security isn't a siloed effort; it's about aligning technology stacks and partners with policies that ensure resilience," he stated, stressing the importance of continuous testing and collaboration across stakeholders.
Additionally, Sofrecom shared insights on the tangible benefits of innovative solutions like mobile private networks and predictive AI tools. "Real-time detection and proactive fixes prevent costly failures," Mekaelian explained, underlining how lessons learned from network operations drive value for businesses.
Oshiga explained that CommScope supports seamless 5G deployment by integrating legacy networks with solutions like high port count antennas, MOSAIC (combining active and passive antennas), and future-proofing designs to manage spectrum, optimize tower space, and handle growing traffic demands efficiently.
The role of network slicing emerged as a focal point. Alshemeili highlighted its potential in tailoring services, such as gaming or streaming, to specific customer needs while maintaining efficiency. "One size doesn't fit all. Organizations must adapt their systems to meet diverse user expectations.”
Addressing the digital divide, Sofrecom likened digital access to the transformative infrastructure of previous centuries. "Connectivity today is as vital as railways and highways once were, driving socioeconomic development," Mekaelian said, advocating for shared infrastructure to bridge gaps in underserved regions.
Huawei also stressed the need for collaboration among regulators, industry councils, and technology providers to optimize investments and deliver impactful solutions. "Standardization must evolve to integrate cross-sector needs, benefiting society and the economy," Ahmed proposed.
Balancing Intricate Interplays
The panel discussion on infrastructure deployment took a fascinating turn as speakers delved into the intricate interplay between standardization, innovation, and the evolving human factor within the telecom ecosystem. The dialogue revealed a shared acknowledgment of the growing complexity of infrastructure and the urgent need to address emerging challenges with cohesive strategies.
InfraX emphasized the necessity of evolving global standards into localized frameworks to ensure applicability across diverse contexts. Al Ahmadi proposed establishing specialized focus groups under regulatory bodies to bridge the gap between technological innovation and practical business models. "Technology will always be there," Al Ahmadi noted, "But success hinges on creating win-win partnerships between technology providers, operators, and end-users."
Going Beyond Technical Implementations
Geheran pointed out the strategic imperative of infrastructure sharing and future-proofing. Drawing on his experiences in Canada, he underscored how collaborative initiatives, like shared cell towers, could reduce costs and accelerate network rollouts. However, he acknowledged that similar collaboration on fiber networks and other advanced technologies remains limited, leaving opportunities untapped.
Climate change is also a critical factor influencing infrastructure resilience, urging operators to integrate sustainability into their long-term strategies. Addressing this avenue, Oshiga presented a holistic approach to sustainable infrastructure deployment; one which focused on energy efficiency through minimal energy input, recyclable materials, and reduced production power consumption. He highlighted that efforts must be made to recycle deployed equipment in collaboration with material providers, network operators, and end users to collectively lower the industry's carbon footprint for a sustainable future.
The human dimension was another key theme. Stebneva, addressing the evolving talent pool, argued that technical strategies should align with long-term business objectives. She stressed the importance of specialized expertise to tackle complex use cases and advocated for an adaptable education system to keep pace with technological advancements. “It starts with clear business goals,” she said, “and trickles down to defining infrastructure requirements and building expert teams to meet those challenges.”
As the panel drew to a close, the speakers’ opinions converged in a three-fold shared vision: fostering collaboration between stakeholders, evolving standards to meet real-world needs, and investing in both technology and talent. The roadmap to future infrastructure deployment, they agreed, is as much about partnerships and people as it is about technological advancements.
