Gap Between IT and Network Skills Challenges Autonomous Networks
Telecommunications companies still face challenges in integrating essential software development, data science, and data engineering skills to successfully build autonomous networks.
Insights from TM Forum Autonomous Network Workshop
At a recent autonomous network (AN) workshop hosted by Telefónica, communication service providers (CSPs) shared how they are addressing obstacles on the path to achieving Level 4 AN capabilities. One significant challenge is managing large-scale organizational change.
“Our main challenge is embracing new ways of working, which require continuous process adaptation,” said Nilmar Seccomandi, Director of Autonomous Network and Infrastructure at Telefónica. “We are talking about a huge network transformation … touching all areas … of the networks.”
Seccomandi emphasized that this transformation involves not just technology, but also data, processes, and people organizing the entire program.
Collaboration Challenges Across Teams
With around 70 participants attending the three-day event in Madrid, many highlighted how autonomous networks change the way IT, data engineering, data science, and network teams work together. Aligning these diverse teams and identifying the appropriate expertise for specific tasks continues to be difficult.
“There are challenges to closing the gap between IT and network skillset,” noted Mojdeh Amani, Mobile OSS Strategy Specialist at BT.
Summary
Bridging the gap between IT and network expertise remains a key hurdle as telcos pursue advanced autonomous networks, demanding continuous adaptation across people, processes, and technology.