SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT Solutions Provider, will make history as it hosts Sri Lanka's first-ever event by TM Forum, the leading global alliance of telco and tech companies. 'TelcoNEXT,' will bring together the country's telecommunications leaders, stakeholders, and global industry experts to chart the future of digital innovation. Set for October 29th 2024, at the Grand Ballroom, Waters Edge, the landmark gathering aims to explore transformative strategies and breakthrough technologies that will define the next era of telco growth.

Featuring a series of keynote speeches, presentations, and panel discussions, the event aims to highlight the achievements and challenges of local telcos while exploring how collaboration across different sectors can drive the country's digital economy forward.

With over 200 attendees expected, comprising representatives from leading telcos and telecom-related companies, government authorities and regulatory bodies, banking sector leaders, technology partners and system integrators and senior executives from various industries, the program promises to be an influential platform for the Sri Lankan telco industry.

The agenda includes opening remarks by Janaka Abeysinghe, CEO, SLT-MOBITEL, followed by an insightful keynote address by George Glass, Chief Technology Officer, TM Forum. He will outline crucial industry challenges and provide guidance on how the telco industry can move on from the 'Code Red' situation it’s facing. He will also explore transformative solutions being developed by TM Forum and its Members through Open Digital Architecture (ODA) and ecosystem collaboration and innovation.

A highlight of the proceedings will be a panel discussion on ‘Reigniting Growth and Innovation in Sri Lanka,’ focusing on the telecom sector's role in building the nation's digital economy and bridging the digital divide. Panelists will consist of representatives from Sri Lanka’s leading telcos, government authorities, and corporate leaders, addressing the role of telecommunications in reigniting growth and innovation across the country. The panel will also explore topics including readiness for 5G, bridging the digital divide, and digital service enablement​. George Glass will moderate the discussion.

Following the main conference, TM Forum experts will conduct an exclusive closed-doors workshop for SLT-MOBITEL executives and representatives from the network, IT, and product development teams. Led by CTO George Glass, Vice President Member Services Greg Geodgenian, and Hamsya Rajendran, Regional Engagement Manager, the session will focus on implementing industry standards, examining successful case studies, and exploring proven strategies that helped global telcos overcome similar challenges.

The TM Forum is a global alliance comprising over 800 members from various sectors, such as telecommunications, technology, and digital services. Some notable members include AT&T, Bharti Airtel, China Telecom, and BT Group, Cisco Systems, Amazon Web Services (AWS), NVIDIA, Accenture, and Brunel University etc. These members collaborate to drive innovation and transformation in the telecom industry, focusing on areas covering AI, automation, and sustainability.

TM Forum's choice of Sri Lanka for an inaugural event reflects the country's growing digital economy and telecommunications sector's commitment to innovation. Moreover, SLT-MOBITEL is seen as an ideal partner for collaboration due to its extensive network, innovative adoption of technologies - 5G and AI, commitment to sustainability, customer-centric approach, and strategic vision for digital growth in Sri Lanka. These attributes align well with TM Forum's goals of promoting telecom innovation and collaboration in the region.

The TM Forum 'TelcoNEXT' event also demonstrates SLT-MOBITEL's pledge towards alignment with global standards. The event be published by TM Forum, reinforcing SLT-MOBITEL’s position as a forward-thinking industry leader in the global telecommunications industry.

Furthermore, the initiative marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between SLT-MOBITEL and TM Forum, with plans to establish it as a recurring event, contributing to Sri Lanka's vision of digital transformation and economic growth.