DTW24 Highlights: Reimagining Telco Business Model with AI and Composable IT
Last week, Intellias attended DTW - Ignite, a global summit fostering innovation in the telecom industry. Follow the event insights by Konstantin Besfamylnyi, Telecom & Media Practice Leader, as he features groundbreaking discussions focused on AI and composable IT, exploring CSPs’ business and operating model innovation.
DTW24 Ignite gathered over 90 exhibitors, including leading companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Anthropic, Amdocs, IBM, Microsoft, Google, CSG, Hansen Technologies, Netcracker Technology, and Salesforce, alongside emerging leaders MATRIXX Software, Aria Systems, and alvatross. Through various panel discussions and demo sessions, they showcased their integration of AI capabilities and adherence to TM Forum’s frameworks and interoperability standards.
Additionally, this year’s Catalyst program showcased more than 50 projects, spotlighting AI-driven network optimization, enhanced customer experiences (CX), advanced cybersecurity, and TM Forum Open API-based wholesale service delivery, illustrating the industry's dedication to hyper-automation, efficiency, and resilience.
The new era of widespread AI and openness is clearly catalyzing innovation in the telecom business model, enhancing and cultivating IT environments that are closer than ever aligned with CSPs’ strategic objectives of revenue growth and operational efficiency.
Given these developments, mid-sized, specialized, and cost-efficient digital engineering firms like Intellias are taking on a more pivotal role in implementing AI-powered telecom products and services. Intellias, for example, has already developed its digital assistant solution for various use cases. Telecom vendors and CSPs recognize smaller engineering firms as essential for fostering a more dynamic and competitive supplier and partner ecosystem.
When reflecting on the primary themes covered at DTW24 this year, the event included seven discussion tracks. Leaders from over 200 companies shared insights, perspectives, and innovative ideas, as outlined below for the selected tracks.
The "Unleash AI Native DNA" discussion track covered topics ranging from innovative business models driving growth to maximizing value through new operating models enhanced with AI and automation.
The need for cultural and skill shifts to become AI-native was emphasized, highlighting the critical importance of adaptability, creativity, and customer-centricity in effectively leveraging AI's capabilities. The track also explored how emerging technologies are shaping future telecom services and discussed cutting-edge AI solutions that optimize operations, automate processes, and unify data.
Finally, it emphasized the importance of future-proofing organizational design and talent, highlighting new strategies for collaborating with specialized partners like Intellias, such as collaborative innovation labs, ecosystem partnerships, and co-investment/co-development initiatives, crucial for thriving in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
These discussions provided a comprehensive view of how telecom companies can embrace AI to stay competitive and evolve.
The discussion track "Composable IT: The Superpower" explored how IT transformation reshapes the industry.
It emphasized the integration of network and IT systems to create seamless operational environments, the modernization of BSS/OSS for new business models, and the implementation of AI for operational excellence.
Sessions highlighted the pivotal role of Open Digital Architecture (ODA) in driving strategic advantages through agile methodologies and collaborative work environments. Overall, the track underscored the transformative potential of IT evolution and architectural advancements in driving CSPs’ performance, profitability, and growth.
The "AI in Action" track explored how AI revolutionized the industry from a use case perspective.
Sessions showcased practical applications of AI, such as:
Enhanced customer service: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants improve customer interactions by offering personalized recommendations and efficiently resolving queries.
AI-driven marketing: AI analyzes customer behavior to enable targeted campaigns and personalized offers, enhancing engagement and retention.
Network optimization: AI algorithms for predictive maintenance, network analytics, and anomaly detection optimize performance, minimize downtime, and enhance overall reliability.
Operational efficiency: AI automates tasks like network configuration, service provisioning, troubleshooting, streamlining operations, and reducing costs.
Predictive analytics: AI-driven predictive analytics aids in capacity planning, demand forecasting, and resource allocation, supporting proactive decision-making and optimizing resource use.
Fraud detection and security: AI is deployed for real-time fraud detection, cybersecurity monitoring, and threat intelligence, safeguarding telecommunications networks and customer data.
Discussions also focused on leveraging AI for new revenue streams and overcoming challenges like data governance.
In addition to the discussion tracks, the DTW24 Catalyst programs showcased practical use cases, many of which were truly unique and groundbreaking.
LLM for knowledge management in telecom: leveraging large language models (LLMs) to streamline knowledge management, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs. Intellias digital assistant solution is perfectly suited for the job.
GenAI hyper-automation for customer and business transformation: using generative AI to automate complex business processes, drive transformation, and improve service delivery.
AI in network build and operation: applying AI to optimize network build and operation processes, reducing time and costs while improving reliability and performance.
GenAI for language-agnostic business operations: utilizing generative AI to support multilingual business operations, breaking language barriers, and enhancing global collaboration.
AI smart CapEx: providing an in-depth understanding of business needs and autonomously optimizing network rollout for radio access and fiber optics, leading to smarter capital expenditure decisions.
Enhancing customer experience: implementing GenAI to build a data-driven, self-learning virtual assistant, significantly improving customer support and satisfaction.
Hansen Technologies and its project partners demonstrated an impressive “AI-driven Offer Lifecycle Management” solution. This solution leverages AI-assisted catalog rationalization and offers personalization to create and manage mass-customized offers in real-time, making the process more agile, innovative, and open.
One standout Catalyst project was the “Wholesale Fiber Broadband Standardization” project, focusing on IT and process automation, Open APIs, and service orchestration to enhance interoperability between fiber wholesalers and service providers. This initiative aims to streamline operations and elevate service delivery within the fiber broadband sector. Credit goes to Karsten Thon, Senior Business Architect at Deutsche Telekom, our friends from alvatross, Amartus, and a host of other sponsors, participants, and contributors for their efforts.
There is much more to say about DTW24 Ignite, including the exciting hackathons, the showcase of innovative startups in the Next20 program, and the broader industry developments discussed. These elements highlight the event's dynamic and forward-thinking nature.
As we look ahead, the future where AI and composable IT pave the way for a more responsive, efficient, and customer-centric telecom landscape is incredibly promising.
These advancements, which promise to revolutionize the telecommunications sector from business and operating model perspectives, will benefit all industry participants and subscribers.
The collaborative spirit and innovative solutions presented at DTW24 Ignite set the stage for a transformative journey ahead.
About the author
Konstantin Besfamylnyi is the Business Director for Telecom and Media industry projects at Intellias. With over 17 years of executive-level business transformation experience, Konstantin is well-placed to help clients define and deliver digital transformation in complex environments using cutting-edge technologies.