Open and Intelligent Networks: What’s Next?

About this event

Join us to explore the future of connectivity at an event that brings together industry stakeholders, innovators, and government partners, to demonstrate the next generation of open and intelligent networks.

The design, deployment, and optimisation of networks are evolving rapidly. This event examines how Open RAN, intelligent automation, and Telecom AI are reshaping global digital infrastructure.

Learn how open ecosystems supported by industry badging and certification are reducing barriers, fostering supplier diversity, and laying the groundwork for a more competitive telecoms landscape.

Through keynotes, demonstrations, and expert discussions, you’ll gain insight into the key capabilities enabling smarter, more resilient networks.

Who should attend

This event will be of interest to:

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
Vendors of Open RAN products
Start-ups/ innovators – AI/ ML organisations interested in open networks
Other Open RAN labs; and international testbeds
System Integrators (SIs) – both software SIs and network deployment SIs
Neutral hosts and private network operators
Potential customers for Private Networks

Why attend

Experience cutting-edge work driving this transformation: including demonstrations from vendors on our Open RAN Innovation Programme (SONIC Labs) programme.
Explore how industry-backed badging and certification are empowering open ecosystems, reducing barriers, boosting supplier diversity, and shaping a more competitive telecoms market.
Hear from global leaders on what’s next for open networks, understand how Telecom AI is reshaping the global communications ecosystem.
Network with global organisations in the telecoms space.

Agenda

Event Agenda

09:00 – 09:30 — Registration and Breakfast

Informal networking with operators, vendors, innovators, and ecosystem partners.

09:30 – 09:40 — Welcome & Introduction

Opening remarks and an introduction to Digital Catapult and the importance of our work in open networks.

Speaker: Dritan Kaleshi, Director of 5G and Digital Infrastructure, Digital Catapult

09:40 – 09:45 — Introduction from Ofcom

Introduction from Ofcom

Speaker: Simon Burley, Interim Technology Director, Ofcom

09:45 – 10:05 — DSIT Policy Overview

Policy update from DSIT.

Speaker: Adam Lowes, Head of Future Telecoms, Advanced Connectivity Technologies, DSIT

10:05 – 10:25 — Keynote: Creating Synergy Between AI‑RAN and Open RAN

Exploring how the convergence of AI‑RAN and Open RAN is shaping the future of open networks.

Topics include intelligent architectures, interoperability, scalability, and the next era of AI‑driven innovation.

Speaker: Alex Choi, Chair of the AI-RAN Alliance

10:25 – 10:45 — SONIC Labs: Overview & Impact

A look at programme achievements, technical milestones, ecosystem progress, and the demonstration of certified Open RAN blueprints that are commercially deployable.

Speaker: Paul Sludden, Director of SONIC Labs, Digital Catapult

10:45 – 11:05 — SONIC Labs: Market Perspective

Vendors share real‑world success stories showcasing how open‑ecosystem collaboration accelerates deployment and reduces risk.

Speakers:

Danny Hoyle, Senior Business Development Manager, Accelleran
Alex Smith, VP of Product Management, Antevia Networks

11:05 – 11:15 — Refreshment Break & Networking

11:15 – 11:30 — Industry View on the Future of Open Networks

Speaker: Sophie Greaves, Associate Director for Digital Infrastructure, techUK

11:30 – 12:15 — Panel: Open RAN at Scale – Global Testing, Deployment & Certification

A discussion with global Open RAN labs and ecosystem stakeholders on the global deployment landscape, testing opportunities, certification models, and future interoperability requirements.

Moderator: Sophie Weston, Lead for Policy, Research & Strategic Engagement, Digital Catapult

Panelists:

Abdel Bagegni, Head of Open RAN Technology, TIP
Julie Kub, Division Chief, Telecommunications Analysis and Modeling Division (TAM), NTIA
Charles Turyagyenda, Principal Technologist – Future Networks & 5G, Digital Catapult

12:15 – 13:00 — Panel: Beyond Open RAN – Building Open, Intelligent Networks

A session exploring the evolution toward open, intelligent networks driven by AI‑enabled automation, energy efficiency, supplier diversity, and robust certification frameworks.

Moderator: Paul Rhodes, Ecosystem Engagement Manager, Digital Catapult

Panelists:

Soufiane Ayed, Senior RAN Strategy and Architecture Manager, Vodafone/Three
Jonathan Feasby, Associate Director of Networks, Accenture
John Bretherick, Director of Business Development, 1Finity/Fujitsu
Prajyot Sharma, PLM Specialist, VALOR, R&D Wireless, VIAVI Solutions

13:00 – 13:10 — Summary & Closing Remarks

Next steps for open and intelligent networks.

Speaker: Paul Sludden, Director of SONIC Labs, Digital Catapult

13:10 – 14:30 — Demo Showcase, Networking & Lunch

Live demos from vendors on the SONIC Labs programme, with an optional lab tour.

Participants: SONIC Labs Vendors & Partners

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