Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of the US-based telecom firm Verizon, discusses the corporate’s determination to not enter the Indian client market, focusing as an alternative on its core US client base and serving companies in 150 international locations by means of partnerships with native telcos.
In an interview with businessline, he shares insights into the telecommunications trade, together with Verizon’s strategic priorities. He emphasises the longevity of 5G networks, highlighting the continuing improvements and potential inside 5G know-how that can prolong its relevance for years to return. He additionally spoke in regards to the alternative triggered by the spurt in Generative AI, notably in mild of Verizon’s investments in cellular edge computing, which positions them to assist AI functions on the community edge. Edited excerpts:
How do you see the present state of the telecommunications trade? What are the most important challenges for the trade and Verizon?
The place does Verizon stand when it comes to 6G?
It’s early for 6G, as standardisation isn’t totally there but. 5G nonetheless has loads of potential. We’ll probably see an extended hole between generations this time, not as a result of 6G isn’t necessary, however as a result of 5G has extra to supply with improvements like community slicing and personal networks. Typically, each ‘G’ has a window of 10 years.
Some really feel that spectrum costs are excluding some corporations from the sector. How does Verizon see this, having spent $53 billion on spectrum?
Totally different international locations have totally different spectrum regimes. The US has traditionally auctioned spectrum, which means corporations personal it. This offers certainty for deployment however makes the spectrum costlier. The stakes are excessive, and the trade is capital-intensive, but it surely’s an important service requiring funding. We see totally different approaches in numerous international locations, with the US favouring possession by means of acquisition.
How do you see the rise of cloud computing and edge computing impacting telecom?
Our radio community is already virtualised, so we see benefits in utilizing virtualisation and cloud-based options. With our fibre community and cellular edge computing, we will accomplice and ship companies based mostly on computing and storage on the community edge. We see collaboration and progress alternatives for Verizon on this space.
Is India a improvement and R&D focus for Verizon, or do you additionally see it as a market?
We’ve grown from zero to 7,000 staff in India, who now ship on our highest priorities throughout numerous areas. We’re not planning to enter the buyer market in India. We concentrate on customers within the US and serve companies in about 150 international locations, typically working with native telcos. India is an amazing and transformative market, however we’ve got no plans to enter it.
Cybersecurity is a significant difficulty. How does Verizon defend its pursuits?
You possibly can’t begin defending your community reactively. Verizon has constructed community resilience and protections into its basis. We serve a very powerful organisations within the US, so safety is a long-term funding for us. We’ve got assist from our cybersecurity workforce in India and proceed to develop our community safety.
Do you’re employed with exterior companions for cybersecurity?
We’ve got our personal groups and likewise work with the very best safety software program corporations. Finally, we run our cybersecurity internally. We additionally promote cybersecurity options and publish an annual knowledge breach report. We’re very superior in knowledge safety.
Are you able to elaborate on the evolution of cloud computing and edge, and its affect on the telecom trade?
We began constructing cellular edge computing in 2018, anticipating the throughput pace and latency of 5G. With the rise of AI, we see a good greater alternative. Initially, AI includes coaching giant language fashions in knowledge centres, however as AI merchandise mature, we consider they’ll transfer to the community edge because of transport prices, safety and the supply of computing and storage. We’ve been discussing how generative AI is a good alternative for Verizon, given our community infrastructure.
Finally, generative AI merchandise shall be extra native because of transport prices, safety, and the necessity for real-time processing. We see a chance to assist this shift with our cellular edge.
Revealed on August 20, 2024
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