Beyond AI, beyond connectivity: TM Forum Innovate Asia

TM Forum Innovate Asia was all about how CSPs are reimagining their strategic approaches in the face of rapid technological change. Shashank Singh reports from the showfloor – and the stage.

Recently, I was in Bangkok for three days of panel debates and discussions at TM Forum Innovate Asia, along with some of my Cerillion colleagues as Silver Sponsors of this year’s event.

The event offered a compelling glimpse into the sector's evolving landscape, highlighting key trends that are reshaping how CSPs think about their role in the digital ecosystem.

Artificial Intelligence

As you’d expect, GenAI emerged as the most buzzworthy topic, permeating almost every discussion across the event. The impact of AI is already being felt massively, and it is soon to be steering the autonomous networks of tomorrow.

The panels were unanimous in their assessment; AI is not just a technological marvel, but a tool with serious potential for transformative applications across the whole telecommunications value chain:

• Customer experience
• Ease-of-operations
• Network efficiency
• Product development
• Business process enhancements
• Analytics

… you name it!

The message was clear: AI is a present-day necessity for staying competitive.

Beyond connectivity: a strategic imperative

Perhaps the most profound insight from the event was the industry's collective recognition that only focusing on connectivity is a recipe for stagnation.

This strategic shift represents a fundamental reimagining of business models, as CSPs are increasingly understanding that their future lies in becoming solution providers (aka “techcos”) rather than just network operators.

As part of this journey, TM Forum announced the expansion of its Open Digital Architecture (ODA) Canvas for CSPs of all sizes to quickly and easily build a carrier-grade ODA Canvas using pre-built modules.

By developing comprehensive solutions that address complex customer needs, CSPs can create more value, improve customer loyalty, and open up new revenue streams.

I took part in the panel discussion Fast Failure, Quick Success: Creating a Blueprint for Product Launch Excellence, as part of the Strategic Business Model Evolution session on the Wednesday. Joining me were Boon Chee Loo, SVP of Roaming & Products at Bridge Alliance, Ishari Siriwardane, General Manager of Digital Transformation Projects at Sri Lanka Telecom, and moderator Nicolai Schaettgen, CEO of telecoms consultancy Match-Maker Ventures.

We discussed connectivity and the different business process nuances across business models – in B2B, B2C and B2B2X – as well as frameworks for enhancing customer experience, transitioning to digital models, leveraging partnerships and evolving business models to maximise value and revenue. Of course, the role of GenAI came up, and how it could be strategically leveraged to enhance product launch success rates.

5G Standalone

In contrast to all the aspirational chatter around business model evolution, the discussions around 5G were notably more grounded and practical.

This pragmatic approach, I thought, signalled a mature understanding of technological evolution – it's not about the next big thing, but about maximising the value of current technological capabilities.

Instead of speculation as to the possibilities of 6G, which could very well be that next big thing, the focus was squarely on monetising existing 5G Standalone infrastructure that CSPs have already invested in heavily.

Panel sessions explored how sophisticated software solutions could help CSPs unlock new revenue potential from their 5G investments.

The untapped B2B opportunity

The B2B segment was unanimously viewed as a “gold mine” – an opportunity waiting to be fully exploited.

But the industry seems poised to develop more nuanced, targeted approaches to meet the complex needs of business clients. A striking statistic emerged from one of the other panel sessions: CSPs are potentially leaving $23 billion in B2B revenue on the table due to ineffective customer service. The significant revenue gap highlights a critical disconnect between current service models and the complex needs of business customers.

Companies must move beyond generic service frameworks and create tailored solutions that truly address the intricate requirements of enterprise clients. By bridging this gap, CSPs can unlock tremendous economic opportunity.

Sustainability: a critical challenge

The event didn't shy away from addressing the industry's environmental responsibilities. Discussions centred on the need to fulfil the recommendations made by the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) to meet the 1.5°C  target for global warming, in line with the UN’s net-zero goals.

Participants acknowledged the challenging path ahead for the ICT sector in achieving these ambitious sustainability targets, especially in light of the recent COP29 summit. The conversations reflected a genuine commitment to understanding current limitations and exploring innovative solutions.

Final thoughts

While the event was praised for its excellent discussions and focused topics, the somewhat smaller crowd this year (possibly because of another competing event taking place in town two weeks later) did little to diminish the energy and insights shared.

The telecoms industry stands at an exciting crossroads. By embracing AI, looking beyond traditional connectivity, focusing on B2B opportunities, and committing to sustainability, CSPs are not just adapting to change – they are actively shaping the future of digital communications.

See you next year!

If you missed us at TM Forum Innovate Asia, get in touch today, or meet us at MWC25 in Barcelona from 3rd – 6th March 2025.