Events

Driving the future of network leadership: essential insights from TM Forum Innovate Asia 2024

TM Forum Innovate Asia 2024 delivered a host of actionable insights for heads of RAN and network engineering. This blog outlines how AI, open architecture and green initiatives will redefine the telecoms industry and support operational excellence.

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement and high demand for connectivity, telecoms and data centre management specialists are playing an increasingly pivotal role in driving innovation and efficiency. At the TM Forum Innovate Asia 2024 event in Bangkok on 5-7th November, industry leaders gathered to explore pressing topics—ranging from AI-driven automation to sustainability and open digital architecture. Developments in these areas have profound implications for network operations and strategic planning.

For heads of RAN (radio access networks) and network engineering, the stakes are high: efficiency, security and sustainability are all critical features in network operations. This blog post captures the key takeaways from the forum, providing network management leaders with actionable strategies to help navigate today’s challenges and pave the way for future success.

AI for autonomous network optimisation: the next frontier

Moving from reactive to proactive network management

The growing popularity of IoT devices, combined with increasing demand for high-speed, low-latency connections, has made networks more complex than ever. At the forum, AI and machine learning emerged as two key topic areas, with speakers highlighting how these technologies can transform network management by enabling predictive and autonomous operations. A strategy that moves away from reactive management, where issues are tackled after disruptions occur, to a proactive approach that anticipates and mitigates potential issues was regarded as particularly important.

Key Insight: Predictive analytics and machine learning technologies empower network leaders to optimise bandwidth allocation, predict potential disruptions and monitor network health in real time. This subsequently frees up more time for heads of RAN to focus on strategy and improvement. Furthermore, AI enables autonomous decision-making within the network, enabling systems to self-adjust based on real-time data. As a result, network teams can spend more time on innovation, rather than routine maintenance tasks.

Implications for Operations:
The shift to AI-driven network management has significant implications for operations. For RAN leaders, this means a reduction in manual monitoring and intervention, which results in a more streamlined and reliable network that experiences minimal downtime. Autonomous optimisation algorithms play a crucial role in this process, balancing loads during high-traffic periods, adjusting power use based on demand and maintaining optimal resource allocation. Together, these advancements increase the efficiency of network resources, reduce costs and deliver a higher overall quality of service for users.

AI-powered predictive maintenance

Predictive maintenance emerged as another compelling AI use case at the forum event. By analysing historical data, AI models can detect subtle indicators of equipment wear and failure long before they pose a risk to the network. This approach means heads of network engineering can be more proactive with their network maintenance strategies, implementing schedules that prevent unplanned outages and ensure critical infrastructure operates at peak efficiency.

Example in Action:
China Mobile’s AI-driven maintenance programme showcases the impact of predictive maintenance, reducing downtime by 30% in its first year of operation. By proactively planning and bundling repairs, the company minimised the frequency and duration of outages, resulting in substantial cost savings.

For network leaders, predictive maintenance helps to lower operational costs and enhance service reliability. This approach prevents unexpected disruptions and optimises maintenance efficiency, which delivers a smoother and more reliable network experience for users.

The role of open digital architecture (ODA) and API-driven solutions

Why open architecture Is key to modern network flexibility

The forum’s emphasis on open digital architecture (ODA) and the use of open APIs reflects an industry-wide push towards modular, interoperable systems. As digital transformation accelerates, legacy systems built on proprietary architecture are increasingly regarded as inflexible and problematic. ODA can help solve this problem by providing a modular framework that enables telecoms companies to integrate diverse systems seamlessly.

Key Insight: The modular approach of ODA reduces complexity, making it easier to deploy, scale and update network systems without the need for costly overhauls. For heads of RAN and network engineering, this modularity allows them to select best-in-class solutions from different providers, and avoid being locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem. Open APIs, in particular, enable smoother communication across network components, facilitating real-time data sharing, analytics and automation.

Advantages of Open APIs:
Open APIs standardise how data is accessed and shared across systems, which brings several benefits. RAN and network leaders can accelerate the deployment of new services, accelerating the process of system integration, and helping deliver faster upgrades to end-users. In addition, API-driven networks allow network managers to quickly adapt to changing demands, as new services or updates can be added without disrupting existing systems.

Real-world impact: accelerated Ttime to market

Telecoms providers at the forum highlighted how adopting ODA and open APIs accelerated their time-to-market for new services. For example, Singapore-based operator Singtel claimed that by using ODA and APIs, it was able to reduce time to deployment from six months to under 90 days.

This speed is critical in the rapidly evolving telecoms landscape, where the ability to respond quickly to market demands constitutes a key competitive advantage. For network leaders, faster deployment translates to greater agility in launching new offerings, meeting customer expectations and staying ahead of competitors.

Catalyst projects: turning Innovation into practical applications

Exploring cutting-edge solutions in real-world environments

Catalyst projects, a hallmark of forum events, provide tangible examples of how AI, automation and digital architecture innovation can address real-world challenges. These collaborative projects bring together multiple organisations to develop proof-of-concept solutions for industry-wide issues, showcasing the practical applications of new technologies.

Key Insight: Catalyst projects demonstrated the viability of autonomous networks, self-healing protocols, and AI-driven security—all of which are crucial features for network leaders looking to implement advanced technologies with proven results. Heads of RAN and network engineering benefit from these insights, as they can see which solutions are ready for deployment and which are still in the testing phase. This visibility helps to reduce the risks associated with the adoption of new technologies.

Highlighting a key project: autonomous network self-healing

One of the featured catalyst projects focused on self-healing networks. This term is used to describe a network that reduces downtime and maintains service continuity by autonomously detecting and resolving network issues without human intervention. This application is particularly relevant for RAN and network teams, who often have to detect and fix faults found within vast and complex network structures.

Operational Impact:

The adoption of autonomous self-healing technology enables network teams to significantly reduce the frequency and duration of outages. Furthermore, automated incident detection and rapid response capabilities allow teams to cut response times by up to 90%. This helps minimise disruptions and reduces reliance on manual monitoring, boosting efficiency. UK-based operator Vodafone, a pioneer in self-healing network trials, has demonstrated the effectiveness of the self-healing approach in improving network reliability and preventing network outages.

For telecoms providers, the ability to maintain an uninterrupted service and deliver an enhanced user experience is critical. Self-healing networks not only improve service quality but also reduce operational costs. This allows network leaders to focus on innovation rather than reactive maintenance, which strengthens their company’s position in a demanding market.

Sustainability and green networking: the push towards eco-efficient operations

The environmental imperative for telecom operators

As global energy costs rise and environmental regulations tighten, telecoms companies face growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. Accordingly, the forum emphasised the importance of energy-efficient solutions and green network initiatives, with companies such as China Mobile and Japan’s NTT Docomo presenting compelling case studies on their sustainability efforts. Other network operators showcased various strategies for reducing their carbon footprints, including energy-saving technologies, renewable energy integration and AI-driven energy management.

Key Insight: For heads of RAN and network engineering, the sustainability push goes beyond compliance. Eco-efficient practices help reduce operational costs, enhance brand reputation and align with the global shift towards green technology. By focusing on energy-efficient solutions, network leaders can simultaneously support corporate sustainability goals and realise practical cost savings. Sustainable operations can therefore serve a dual-purpose, helping to address regulatory requirements and optimise resource expenditure.

Energy optimisation through AI

Several telecoms companies at the event presented detailed case studies on the use of AI to optimise energy consumption. By analysing patterns in network usage and adjusting power settings dynamically, AI systems can significantly reduce energy waste, especially during periods of low demand. AI-driven energy management systems can also recommend hardware upgrades or system adjustments to further minimise energy usage, ensuring network performance does not compromise environmental responsibility.

Example of Energy Savings:
NTT’s experience with AI-powered energy management achieved a 20% reduction in electricity use within its first year, showcasing how AI can drive both financial savings and environmental impact. For heads of RAN and network engineering, integrating AI-driven energy consumption solutions offer a dual benefit, in the form of substantial cost savings and alignment with corporate sustainability goals. By analysing network traffic patterns and dynamically adjusting power use in real time, AI systems can also help prevent energy waste, allowing teams to maintain performance and reduce operational expenses. These savings not only boost return on investment (ROI) related to network infrastructure but also give operators the opportunity to reinvest in future technology upgrades.

Beyond the financial gains, AI-powered energy management supports proactive and resilient operations. The adaptive capabilities of AI mean energy settings are automatically adjusted during fluctuations, reducing outage risks and enhancing network stability. As networks expand to meet growing demand for data, scalable AI solutions enable network leaders to manage increased energy needs without proportional cost increases, driving operational efficiency and reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable growth.

Strengthening network security in the AI-powered era

Addressing the evolving threat landscape

The rise of AI-driven automation and interconnected systems has transformed cybersecurity into a critical concern within the telecoms sector. As networks become more integrated and automated, their vulnerability to cyber threats increases. At the forum, industry leaders highlighted the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures, including AI-driven threat detection and response systems, which allow telecoms companies to address security challenges without compromising efficiency.

Key Insight: For heads of RAN and network engineering, cybersecurity capability can no longer be considered an afterthought. Instead, it must be embedded throughout the network, with the help of AI solutions that continuously monitor for anomalies, flag unusual behaviour and alert teams to potential threats before they escalate. This proactive stance is essential in today’s rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, where breaches can inflict significant financial and reputational damage.

AI-driven threat detection in action

South Korea’s SK Telecom presented a case study at the forum that highlights the effectiveness of AI-driven threat detection. The operator’s AI-driven security system uses anomaly detection to detect and neutralise cyber threats in real time, helping it to identify suspicious activity 60% faster than traditional monitoring tools. For network teams, this rapid response capability can be the difference between preventing an incident or suffering a costly breach. AI-driven threat detection can therefore significantly enhance user trust and company reputation.

Practical Benefits for Network Leaders:
SK Telecom’s AI-driven security system showcases how heads of RAN and network engineering can directly benefit from real-time detection and response capabilities. Rapid identification of suspicious activity allows network leaders to be more proactive about preventing incidents from escalating into breaches that could disrupt service and damage trust.

This real-time AI support also translates into fewer manual interventions, enhanced control over network security and more efficient allocation of resources. As a result, network teams can focus on strengthening the resilience, reliability and capabilities of the network, instead of being bogged down by reactive security measures. This approach aligns more closely with the core goals of operational efficiency and high-quality service delivery.

‍

A new paradigm for network leadership and Byanat’s role

The insights from TM Forum Innovate Asia 2024 underline a critical period of transformation in the telecoms sector. For heads of RAN and network engineering, AI adoption, open digital architecture, sustainability and cybersecurity are no longer optional considerations. To thrive in the modern landscape, network leaders must leverage these advancements to drive efficiency, scalability and resilience.

Byanat’s solutions for the future of network operations
Byanat is dedicated to supporting network leaders in this journey. Our AI-driven platform is designed to empower RAN and network teams with predictive analytics, open architecture compatibility and energy optimisation tools, addressing the critical needs highlighted at the forum. By providing a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to the unique demands of telecoms networks, Byanat equips network leaders with the ability to tackle operational challenges and achieve new levels of efficiency.

Byanat’s solutions, which range from automating network optimisation to enabling sustainable operations and fortifying network security, are developed to deliver tangible value. As telecoms and data centre networks continue to evolve, Byanat stands ready to partner with industry leaders, delivering the insights, tools and support needed to excel in a competitive and fast-moving industry landscape. With Byanat, heads of RAN and network engineering have a trusted ally in driving sustainable, efficient and secure network growth for the future.

Explore more articles