FROM THE INDUSTRY
data and AI services, and more than 90% of European small- and medium-sized enterprises will reach at least a basic level of “digital intensity” 5 . Today, both the US and Europe are investing in AI intelligence tools to improve network reliability, sustainability, and the customer quality of experience (QoE). Consumers’ expectations for a connected world continue to grow alongside emerging technologies such as 4K/8K television, virtual reality (VR) headsets like Apple Vision Pro, and future cyber worlds like the Metaverse or Digital Twins—all requiring robust communication networks. The telecommunications industry stands at a crossroads where innovation, sustainability, collaboration and strategic investment will define its success over the next decade. Having witnessed decades of transformation - from the early days of DOCSIS to today’s cloud- native architectures - I am confident that the industry will continue to reinvent and reconstruct itself. The road ahead is complex, but the imperative is clear: to build networks that don’t just keep pace with change but accelerate it! Strategic Partnership with Learning Alliance Corporation In a significant development that further expands my commitment to addressing industry challenges, Harris DigiTech has recently partnered with Learning Alliance Corporation, with Steve Harris as their Senior Vice President of Continuing Education Programs. This strategic alliance directly addresses several critical pain points that continue to hamper telecommunications growth: unscalable training models, fragmented credential tracking, contractor mismanagement and the widening skilled labour gap. Through this partnership, we now offer comprehensive workforce development solutions tailored specifically for telecommunications providers. These include customised content and training programmes built around team-specific
A technology many of the US operators are following closely
is quantum computing, exponentially faster than current platforms.
Figure 3: Investments
infrastructure. The US is the largest energy-efficient data centre market globally, with major investments from the top hyperscalers AWS, Google, Microsoft and Meta 4 . To enhance operator control, predictability and efficiency, the US is also prioritising deterministic networking and segment routing over IPv6 (SRv6). SRv6 is well documented in IETF RFC 8986. While the US cable operators prioritise network control and efficiency, Europe’s investments are more sustainability- driven. Europe emphasises sustainability under the EU Green Deal and Digital Decade policies, with the majority of operators favouring new FTTH deployments for energy efficiency over upgrading legacy systems like HFC or ‘fibre deep’ architectures. A fibre deep enhances an HFC architecture by moving the optics closer to the residential customer or business; however is not 100% optical. Both US and European telecommunications and Internet operators are investing in the future of photonics, for example: nanophotonics R&D. While still emerging, nanophotonics is a promising fibre-to-chip integration, moving optical technology into routers, switches and eventually right to the edge. Our industry appears to want to shift into growth mode with generative AI; the European Union has articulated that by 2030, 75% of European enterprises will have taken up cloud computing, big
requirements, Learning Management System (LMS) services that track competencies and career pathways across workforces and Unify CMS—a complete contractor management system ensuring compliance and proper credentialing. Additionally, we provide industry-recognised fibre optic and telecommunications certifications that produce job-ready technicians. This collaboration represents a natural evolution in addressing the telecommunications industry’s pressing need for skilled professionals while offering scalable solutions that reduce operational inefficiencies. As networks continue to grow in complexity, this partnership delivers the educational infrastructure necessary to support sustainable industry advancement.
www.harrisdigitech.com
www.mylearningalliance.com
4. Synergy Research, CBRE 5. https://www2.deloitte.com, 2025 global telecommunications outlook
1. Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) 2. HUAWEI Technologies Co., LTD.
3. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and- telecommunications/our-insights/the-future-of-telcos-mapping-the- routes-to-renewed-success#/
May 2025 Volume 47 No.2
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