AI Infiltrates the Telco World at #MWC24

While 5G deployments continue to expand, the buzzword on everyone's lips was AI. From keynote speeches to hushed conversations in crowded booths, the message was clear: AI is poised to fundamentally reshape the telco landscape.

But this wasn't just another tech-trend hype cycle. Industry leaders showcased concrete applications and tangible benefits of AI across the entire network lifecycle. Andrew Border of 惠普企业服务 emphasized using AI for "multicloud, multivendor, multidomain" network buildouts, simplifying operations and accelerating service delivery.

Bennett Indart of NTT painted a vivid picture of AI-powered digital twins optimizing transit networks and even "reformatting" IndyCar races through real-time data analysis.

The ramifications of this AI infiltration are far-reaching. Paul Gampe of Console Connect highlighted the massive data demands of AI, noting the need for robust networks capable of handling data migration and repatriation.

Joel Brand of 迈威迩 pointed to the potential for revenue generation through AI-driven innovation directly on the radio access network. This isn't just about optimizing networks; it's about transforming the customer experience.

Sally Bament of 瞻博网络 showcased their AI-native platform, emphasizing its ability to assure excellent experiences for both network operators and end users.

Thierry Klein of Nokia Bell Labs echoed this sentiment, highlighting how AI can bring "customer centricity" to network operations through improved consistency, scale, and quality. The impact extends beyond telco, spilling into adjacent markets.

Parm Sandhu of NTT DATA spoke of the transformative potential of AI in industrial operations, from worker efficiency and productivity to supply chain management and product design.

Devin Yaung , also of NTT DATA ,emphasized the crucial role of edge computing in collecting the data that fuels AI models, stating that "the edge is going to be the most important" factor in AI's success.

Looking ahead, the next 12-18 months promise exciting developments. Chris Penrose of 英伟达 shared findings from their AI & Telecom report, revealing a significant jump in telcos who believe AI is critical to their future success. This translates to increased budgets for AI infrastructure and a focus on leveraging AI for competitive advantage.

Openness and virtualization will be key themes, as highlighted by Jon Baldry of Infinera . He sees AI as a major driver for 800G pluggable optics and open, virtualized RAN deployments.

Chris Pearson and Viet Nguyen of 5G Americas anticipated advancements in 5G Red Cap and non-terrestrial networks (#NTN), further expanding the reach and capabilities of 5G, that was the case at MWC and will likely be true for the rest of 2024.

The industry is also grappling with the crucial question of monetization. As Cristina Rodriguez of 英特尔 pointed out, operators are looking to reduce costs and generate new revenue streams through AI. This will involve developing innovative services and leveraging AI's potential to optimize network performance and efficiency.

However, challenges remain. Andrew Coward of IBM cautioned against AI hype, emphasizing the need for robust analytics and orchestration capabilities to truly leverage AI for network operation. He aptly described the current state as a "three-legged stool" missing key components.

But the overall mood is undeniably optimistic. The pieces are falling into place. Industry leaders are collaborating on initiatives like the GSMA AI training academy to bridge knowledge gaps and build a common understanding of AI's potential.

As Harpreet G. of Shabodi aptly stated, "the network is beyond just being a dumb pipe." It's becoming an intelligent platform for innovation, and AI is the key to unlocking its full potential.

MWC24 provided a glimpse into this future, where AI-powered networks deliver superior experiences, empower new business models, and connect us in ways we can only begin to imagine. The future of telco is intelligent, and it's arriving faster than we think.