‘Glad to see that children are now embracing AI, 5G and Cloud technology passionately’

He has seen the telecom industry booming after undergoing a technology renaissance in the span of his two decade long career. Now he is a proud parent of a scholar child from Apeejay School, Saket. Meet Mr Abdul, who gets candid in a special interview, guiding students about the plethora of professional opportunities awaiting for students who have an inclination for technology and telecommunications.

Read edited excerpts here.

Tell us about your professional experience. 

I have been in the telecommunications industry since 2007, working with major companies like Ericsson, Jio, Huawei, ZTE & Mavenir. Currently, I am a Solution Architect at Mavenir, a USA-based company, specialising in 5G technology. My expertise lies in network design, cloud-native telecom solutions, Open RAN, and system integration. Over the years, I have worked on deploying and optimizing telecom networks, transitioning from traditional infrastructure to software-driven, AI-powered networks that are shaping the future of connectivity. 

What are the latest trends in telecom compared to olden times? 

The telecom industry has evolved rapidly, especially in the last decade. Ten years ago, we were working with 2G and early 3G networks, primarily focused on voice and low-speed data. Today, we are in the era of 5G, with ultra-low latency, higher data speeds, and network slicing capabilities that enable applications like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation. Another significant shift is the adoption of Open RAN (O-RAN), which allows operators to use multi-vendor solutions for building cost-effective and flexible networks. Cloud-based telecom networks, AI-driven automation, and private 5G networks for enterprises are also key trends reshaping the industry. 

How is telecom as a career option for children wanting to pursue it? 

Telecom is an excellent career choice, given its rapid technological advancements and increasing demand for skilled professionals. Traditional roles like network engineers are evolving into software-defined networking (SDN) and cloud-native architecture roles. The rise of AI and automation has also opened opportunities in data analytics, cybersecurity, and machine learning for network optimization. With 6G on the horizon, students entering this field now will be part of the next wave of telecom evolution, working on intelligent, self-optimizing networks and IoT-driven solutions. 

How has AI changed the face of the telecom sector? 

AI has become an integral part of telecom, transforming operations from manual configurations to self-optimizing networks. AI-driven predictive maintenance helps detect and prevent network failures before they happen. Intelligent automation in network management reduces downtime and improves efficiency. AI-powered chatbots enhance customer support, while machine learning algorithms help optimize spectrum allocation and bandwidth usage dynamically. AI is also critical in cybersecurity, identifying and mitigating threats in real-time, ensuring network stability and security. 

Are there any challenges that the telecom industry is facing?

The telecom sector has evolved rapidly—just a decade ago, we were on 2G, and now 5G is transforming connectivity. Keeping pace with this change brings several challenges, including high deployment costs, cybersecurity threats, network congestion, and spectrum availability. With increasing demand, managing and allocating spectrum efficiently is becoming more critical than ever. The way forward lies in AI-driven automation, stronger cybersecurity, optimised spectrum management, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Collaboration between telecom providers, governments, and tech leaders is essential to overcoming these hurdles and ensuring faster, safer, and more accessible connectivity for all.