In an AWS-powered panel during the first day of the 18th edition of Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit, industry experts discussed how network cloudification is unlocking new opportunities for telecom operators.
Moderated by Moataz Moustafa, Telco Business Development Leader, MEA, AWS, the session featured insights from Dr. Ibrahim Gedeon, Executive Director at GuardianSafetyNet; Danial Mausoof, VP and Head of Technology and Solution Sales at Nokia; Shadi Khuffash, Senior Sales Director, South Middle East at Fortinet; and Ari Banerjee, Chief Strategy Officer at Netcracker Technology.
Overview
The transition to network cloudification is revolutionizing telecommunications, pushing operators to rethink infrastructure, security, and monetization strategies. During this panel, industry leaders shared insights on overcoming integration challenges, harnessing cloud-native innovations, and addressing security concerns while unlocking the full potential of cloudification. The discussion touched on key technologies, such as GenAI, SASE, and CloudRAN, which are driving scalability, flexibility, and performance across the industry.
A Security-First Approach to Cloudification
Khuffash emphasized the need to reimagine security frameworks in the cloud era, underscoring that traditional perimeter-based models are no longer viable. “In a cloud-native environment, security must be an integral part of the development process, with a focus on early-stage design,” he mentioned.
He highlighted the importance of zero trust architecture, which ensures data privacy and strengthens the overall framework. When co-panelist Dr. Gedeon pointed out that firewalls are not enough in the cloud, the Fortinet executive emphasized that in the current landscape, “firewalls now serve as just one component of a broader security strategy, which should include cloud composure management and identity access management, among others.”
Furthermore, he stressed the need for addressing the inherent risks posed by large language models (LLMs), which are gaining prominence in accelerating cloud adoption. He advocated for a multi-tenant approach to enhance scalability and speed, emphasizing that monetization strategies must adapt to these new realities.
The Customer-Centric Cloudification
Dr. Gedeon’s perspective revolved around the operational and customer-centric aspects of cloudification. He noted that while end users often remain unaware of the cloud’s direct impact—as cloud appears to be ‘invisible’ or working ‘behind the scenes’—its role in delivering seamless performance is undeniable.
Dr. Gedeon highlighted the industry’s need to embrace vendor flexibility, particularly in regions where reliance on specific vendors is diminishing. He also pointed out that the costs of ensuring robust security in cloud environments often exceed the costs of cloud infrastructure itself. In addition, he explored the potential of GenAI in predictive analytics and network optimization, stressing that networks free from legacy constraints stand to gain the most from cloudification.
He reminisced about past technologies, highlighting the challenges of monetizing new technologies, and criticizing the lack of progress in actual “network slicing.”
Virtualization and Operational Agility
Banerjee focused on the shift from proprietary hardware to virtualization (software-defined networks), emphasizing the operational agility needed for success. He explained that “orchestrating virtual network functions efficiently is critical for reducing time-to-market and ensuring seamless operations across fulfillment, planning, and insurance processes.”
The Netcracker executive also stressed the importance of balancing sustainability goals with AI-driven innovations, cautioning against unchecked reliance on automation. Acknowledging the company’s thorough transformation with GenAI, he touched upon Netcracker’s internal use of AI and machine learning (ML) to improve resource allocation and design efficiency.
He further highlighted the interplay between customer-facing use cases and network-centric applications, describing them as essential for enabling comprehensive transformation across the telecom ecosystem.
Technology Convergence and Monetization
Mausoof brought attention to the convergence of technologies like Cloud RAN, edge data centers, and immersive computing as drivers of innovation and monetization. While he acknowledged the significant integration efforts required, he emphasized the potential for these technologies to open new revenue streams, such as immersive video and spatial computing. Reducing TCO while achieving scalability and performance are also significant factors behind cloudification.
Mausoof touched on the role of GenAI in optimizing network performance, noting its dual role in enhancing predictive capabilities and introducing inherent risks. With AWS as a partner, they bring together different technologies and the benefits of AI in scalability.
For the Nokia executive, the imperative for the industry is clear: “innovate or die” in an ever-evolving market.
Fireside Chat: AWS’s Role in Regional Cloud Innovation
In a compelling discussion prior to the panel, Bernard Najm, Vice President of Telco MEA at AWS, and Zakaria Chouaib, Managing Director of PMP Strategy MEA, explored how AWS is fostering growth in the Middle East and African telecom sector through strategic investments in cloud infrastructure, security, and data sovereignty.
Najm emphasized the region's diversity, highlighting the unique challenges posed by its vast geographical landscape and varying infrastructure needs. "In large and diverse countries like those in the Middle East and Africa, we tailor our infrastructure solutions to address specific local requirements," he explained. AWS remains committed to strategically investing in infrastructure across the region, particularly in key markets like Saudi Arabia, to drive innovation and connectivity. Proximity to robust cloud infrastructure, Najm noted, acts as a catalyst for technological advancement, encouraging businesses and operators to innovate.
Education and upskilling also play a pivotal role in enabling markets to fully harness the power of the cloud. Najm highlighted AWS’s educative, upskilling initiative, which currently comprises over one million individuals and aims to equip the workforce with the necessary expertise to unlock the potential of cloud services. This approach ensures that the regional telecom sector can leverage cutting-edge technologies effectively while fostering a culture of innovation.
The conversation also delved into how AWS brings new cloud services to end customers. According to Najm, understanding the unique capabilities and strategies of individual operators is crucial. "To devise effective strategies, it's essential to align with the operator's internal organization and their vision," he said. Internal transformation, both within AWS and its partners, is key to delivering tailored solutions that address local market needs and maximize the value of cloud adoption.
Highlighting emerging trends, Najm pointed out the rapid proliferation of generative AI (GenAI) across industries and emphasized AWS's commitment to ensuring widespread access to foundational models and its partner ecosystem. He also touched on the development of secure sovereign landing zones, which are designed to meet the regional requirements for data sovereignty. This focus on sovereignty reflects AWS’s understanding of the sensitive nature of data in the region and its efforts to provide secure and compliant cloud solutions.
Zakaria Chouaib added that the telecom sector's growth hinges on leveraging AWS’s innovative infrastructure while addressing regulatory requirements, such as data sovereignty. Both speakers agreed that the intersection of robust cloud infrastructure, advanced security frameworks, and a skilled workforce will continue to drive growth and transformation in the Middle East and African telecom sector.
The session concluded with a clear vision for the future: AWS is dedicated to empowering the region with the tools, training, and infrastructure needed to thrive in the cloud era, ensuring that innovation and growth remain accessible to all.
