A mindset shift to drive network slicing success: a live discussion

Network slicing tech is ready, yet it’s not meeting its vast market potential.?

Atila Horvat , Head of Network Slicing at Rakuten Symphony, was our guest this week on Zero-Touch Live to discuss the operational, commercial and strategic barriers blocking slicing success. He also outlined four key actions operators can take to finally unlock the transformative potential of network slicing. The replay of our conversation is available below.?

"The mindset in telecom hasn’t evolved. We’ve spent decades buying boxed solutions and matching them to previous generations of technology. It’s time for operators to define use cases and lead innovation." — Atila Horvat.?

From bottom-up to top-down: Redefining how telcos think and innovate

Atila is pushing for telcos to shift from a bottom-up, vendor-driven approach to a top-down, operator-led framework focused on:?

• Incubation and collaboration via partnerships with startups and developers to identify use cases and drive innovation.
• Automation powered by AI to deploy data-driven tools that enable real-time, programmable decision-making beyond basic operations.
• Framework-based strategies that move away from rigid box solutions to flexible frameworks that align with evolving market needs.?

As Rakuten Symphony CMO and Zero-Touch Live host Geoff Hollingworth noted, “If telcos follow this framework, they’ll be prepared for future Gs, not just 5G.”?

A practical roadmap for network slicing success

During the interview, Atila also shared these four actionable steps to help operators realize slicing’s potential:?

1. Invest in AI-driven tools to automate and optimize processes.
2. Partner with startups to explore untapped opportunities in network slicing.
3. Shift leadership mindsets from maintaining the status quo to fostering innovation.
4. Redefine organizational processes for scalability and adaptability.?

“Slicing, done right, can transform industries beyond telecom—creating opportunities across e-commerce, IoT, and more.” — Atila Horvat.?

Watch the replay of our discussion above, check out Atila’s recent article on the topic and mention him in the comments to start a conversation.