2023 Agenda

Attendees enjoyed two-plus days of exceptional speakers, the first LSO Global Summit, innovative demos, black-tie awards dinner, ongoing networking opportunities, parties and more at the first Global NaaS Event by MEF, in October 2023!

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Day 1

See the 2023 Day 1 Full Agenda

Morning

Arrivals
Registration

12:00–17:00

Evening

Opening Party

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DAY 2

See the 2023 Day 2 Full Agenda

09:00–16:00

Conference Sessions: Executive Keynotes, Presentations, Panels

16:00–19:00

Evening

MEF Awards Black-Tie Dinner

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DAY 3

See the 2023 Day 3 Full Agenda

09:00–16:00

Conference Sessions: Executive Keynotes, Presentations, Panels

16:00–19:00

Evening

Closing Reception

2023 Agenda: Day 2 & Day 3

Also see the Day 1: 2023 LSO Global Summit Agenda

Day 2

Tuesday
3 October, 2023

09:00–16:00

Day 2 focuses on 3 major NaaS topics:

1. NaaS & Digital Transformation

Speakers will examine migration to NaaS in the context of digital transformation of enterprise customers, communications service providers, and other ecosystem players. We will explore diverse perspectives on the definition of NaaS, the major components and capabilities of NaaS solutions, the role of NaaS providers and NaaS enablers, and differences among NaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Speakers will explain why NaaS transformation requires a holistic approach to business, operations, network, and workforce transformation and collaboration with ecosystem partners. We also will highlight the special role that industry organizations play in defining and evolving NaaS.

2. NaaS Opportunities & Challenges

Speakers will dive into what is driving the industry shift toward NaaS, explore key service and security needs and challenges of enterprise and SMB customers, and discover real-world benefits that NaaS offers service end-users. We will discuss the NaaS market opportunity for service providers and technology players, emerging cloud-centric business and operational models associated with NaaS, the implications of NaaS for wholesale service providers, and the key end-to-end service capabilities that will require coordination and collaboration among ecosystem partners. Speakers will also example how service providers can maximize growth opportunities through delayering and federating resources.

3. NaaS Service Features & Bundles

Speakers will explore the benefits of next-generation NaaS that offers unprecedented user control, real-time changes, cloud-like experiences, and subscription- and consumption-based billing options. We will examine the evolution of NaaS solutions, including early experiences, lessons learned, new service bundling options, and more. We will examine the role of SD-WAN and SASE in secure NaaS as well as the role of NaaS platforms when it comes to multi-cloud connectivity. Speakers will discuss the power and promise of NaaS solutions that span multiple providers, are built with federated resources across automated networks, and that offer end-to-end visibility and service assurance with unified SLAs.

Breakfast

07:30–8:30
Main Foyer, Floor 2

Registration Opens / Badge Pick-up

08:00
Main Foyer, Floor 2

Welcome

09:00–09:10

Kevin Vachon, MEF, Chief Operating Officer
Morning Emcee: Erin Dunne, Vertical Systems, Director of Research

MEF President's Address

09:10–09:20

Nan Chen, MEF, President & Chief Executive Officer

MEF CTO Keynote: Realizing the Power & Promise of NaaS

09:20–09:40

Pascal Menezes, MEF, Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer

Diamond Keynote: Busting the Myths of NaaS

09:40–10:00

Andrew Dugan, Lumen, Chief Technology Officer

Diamond Keynote: The Next Stage for ICT Interoperability

10:00–10:20

Marc Halbfinger, Console Connect, Chief Executive Officer

Enterprise Perspectives: Digital Transformation and Migration to NaaS

10:20–10:50

Break

10:50–11:15

Executive Fireside Chat

11:15–11:45

Executive Perspectives: Driving Value & Productivity with NaaS Transformation

11:45–12:20

Executive Presentation: NaaS: A Foundation for Business Agility

12:20–12:35

Debika Bhattacharya, Verizon Business, Chief Product Officer

Executive Presentation: Transforming the Future with Secure Network Solutions

12:35–12:50

Chris MacFarland, Comcast Business Masergy, Chief Executive Officer

Networking Lunch

12:45–14:15

Welcome Back

Afternoon Emcee: Mauricio Sanchez, Dell'Oro, Senior Director, Enterprise Networking & Security Market Research

The Role of SD-WAN & SASE in Secure NaaS

14:25–15:05

Network Powered by Digital Enablement

15:05–15:20

Bryan Horne, Lumen, Vice President of Enterprise Digital Journeys (Sponsored by ServiceNow)

Addressing Top Priorities for Enterprise Security

15:20–15:55

Closing Remarks for the Day

15:55–16:00

Kevin Vachon, MEF , Chief Operating Officer

Accelerator Live & Networking
16:00–19:00
17:30 Happy Hour Drinks

Attend MEF Accelerator Live.
View demonstrations at innovation stations located throughout the main foyer at any time during the conference!
Meet with customers at meeting tables and conduct business in private meeting rooms and suites.

MEF Excellence Awards Gala Dinner
19:00–22:00
See MEF Excellence Awards Gala Dinner for an evening not to be missed! The 2023 MEF Excellence Awards continue to set themselves apart, honoring advanced services, ecosystem automation, and influential professionals!

Day 3

Wednesday
4 October, 2023

09:00–16:00

Day 3 focuses on 2 major NaaS topics:

1. NaaS Ecosystem

Next-generation services increasingly will be made of piece parts of many providers, which could include retail service providers, wholesale service providers, hyperscalers, technology solution providers, data center providers, and others. The networks supporting these services will be fully API-driven. Automation must happen throughout the supply chain where all parties adopt a common, standardized set of processes and APIs at both the business process and operational levels. We will discuss the roles of various players in the ecosystem and how they are working toward a common goal of reducing friction in the buying and selling of NaaS and other advanced services across automated networks. We will explore market adoption of MEF LSO business and operational APIs and hear about the benefits achieved by service providers who are using LSO APIs as buyers and/or sellers. We also will learn key insights from LSO solution providers who are helping companies accelerate implementation of LSO APIs.

2. Automated Networks

Speakers will dive into the building blocks and success factors for NaaS automation. We will examine the important role that NaaS platforms play in automating interconnection and cloud connectivity. We will explore NaaS-related APIs for enterprises, the evolution of NaaS with intent-based networking APIs, the potential role of AI to enhance NaaS performance, and the challenges, opportunities, and implications of opening NaaS platforms to developers. Key NaaS-related API standards (MEF LSO, TM Forum Open APIs, CAMARA) will be explained.

Breakfast

07:30–8:30
Main Foyer, Floor 2

Registration Opens / Badge Pick-up

08:00
Main Foyer, Floor 2

Welcome

09:00–09:05

Enterprise Executive Perspective: What Users Need Most From NaaS Solution Providers

09:05–09:35

Radhika Venkatraman, Cerberus Capital Management, Senior Advisor

Ecosystem Approach to Network Monetization

09:35–09:55

Stephanie Ormston, AT&T, Assistant Vice President, Network Analytics and Automation

Web3 Technologies and Network-as-a-Service

09:55–10:15

Paul Gampe, Console Connect, Chief Technology Officer

Diamond Keynote

10:15–10:35

Ben Edmond, Connectbase, Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Automating Business and Operational Functions Between Ecosystem Partners with LSO APIs, Blockchain & Smart Contracts

10:35–11:15

Break

11:15–11:35

Why NaaS Requires Standards-Based Automation Throughout the Supply Chain

11:35–11:50

Michael Kearns, Amartus, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer

What it Takes to Build an Automated Ecosystem Supporting Many Services & Partners

11:50–12:30

Taking NaaS to the Next Level: Network APIs and AIOps

12:30–12:45

Shawn Hakl, Microsoft Azure, Vice President, 5G Strategy

Networking Lunch

12:45–14:15

LATAM Executive Perspectives: Accelerating Automation Between Buy & Sell Partners

14:15–14:50

Moderator: Brian Washburn, Omdia, Research Director, Enterprise, Service Provider & Wholesale
Reinier Huisma, Liberty Latin America, Product Director of Connectivity and Communications
Jeremy Villalobos, Orchest Technologies, Chief Operating Officer
Eric Seaman, Tigo One Network, Regional Chief Technology Officer
Jorge Brites, Cirion Technologies, Architecture Innovation & MEF LSO Program Manager
Juan Carlos Naranjo, Ufinet, Chief Technical Officer

Evolving from Digital Telco to an AI-powered Digital Service Provider

14:50–15:20

Jonathan Phillips, Salesforce, Senior Director of Industry Product Marketing
Lorella Scalcione, Sparkle, Chief Information Officer
Shawn Henshall, ideaHelix, Executive Vice President, Products & Architecture

Analyst Perspectives: Key Takeaways From GNE

15:20–15:50

GNE Wrap Up & MEF Q4 Members Meeting (5 & 6 October) Preview

15:50–16:00

Kevin Vachon, MEF, Chief Operating Officer

Accelerator Live & Networking
16:00–19:00

Attend MEF Accelerator Live.
View demonstrations at innovation stations located throughout the main foyer at any time during the conference!
Meet with customers at meeting tables and conduct business in private meeting rooms and suites.

GNE Closing Reception
18:00–20:00

2023 Agenda Day 1: LSO Global Summit

Also see the Day 2: 2023 Agenda | Day 3: 2023 Agenda

Day 1

Monday
2 October, 2023

LSO Global Summit
12:00–17:00

The LSO Global Summit focuses on 3 major topics:

1. LSO Vision, Adoption, and Roadmap

Critical information on which to base your product and automation rollouts.

Topics:

LSO adoption status and forecasts until 2025, including the latest on entry of LSO buyers.
LSO strategy and roadmap, including LSO APIs, LSO payloads, and LSO blockchain.
Significance of alignment with TM Forum APIs.
Plans for alignment with CAMARA APIs.
Importance of LSO for MEF's secure NaaS roadmap.
Significance of open standard smart contracts and DAOs.
The role of LSO operational APIs.
The amplification value of MEF-endorsed LSO payloads.
MEF's plans for use of generative AI.

2. LSO Solutions and Support

An overview of all the programs and assets available before, during, and after implementation.

Topics:

Overview of the complete LSO solution provider ecosystem, including the LSO brokers, LSO API implementers, and LSO consultants.
How to get to market faster with LSO solution providers.
Accelerating the onboarding partners using the MEF LSO API Onboarding & Interoperability Test (OIT) Service.
Market leadership with LSO API certification.
Finding LSO partners.

3. LSO User Stories

A view of LSO in practice.

Topics:

Automated SLA Reporting service.
Transforming from LSO seller only to LSO buyer/seller.
Using LSO business APIs between service provider group subsidiaries and departments.
LSO solution provider use cases.

Registration Opens / Badge Pick-up

09:00
Main Foyer, Floor 2

Coffee & Refreshments

10:30

Networking Lunch

12:00–13:00

Welcome

13:00–13:05

LSO API Adoption

13:05–13:10

Stan Hubbard, MEF, Principal Analyst

Status and forecasts until 2025, including the latest on entry of LSO Buyers.
State of the Industry report on inter-provider business automation.

LSO Vision and Roadmap

13:10–13:25

Pascal Menezes, MEF, Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer

Importance of LSO APIs and LSO Blockchain as core components of MEF Secure NaaS.
Alignment of LSO, TM Forum, and CAMARA APIs.
LSO Payload strategy alignment with industry trends.

LSO Blockchain

13:25–13:50

Standardizing and using LSO Smart Contracts.
The zero-knowledge paradigm, public-private blockchain, and SaaS offerings—example of automated SLA Report service.
Market adoption and internal organizational acceptance.

LSO Product Payloads

13:50–14:05

The LSO value amplification of MEF-standardized and MEF-endorsed product schema blended with LSO APIs.

LSO and Generative AI

14:05–14:30

Susan White, Netcracker, Head of Strategy & Portfolio Marketing

Telecoms want to understand how generative AI can be used to capitalize on their investment in LSO APIs and LSO Blockchain, and to accelerate their ability to offer compelling NaaS. In this session we will hear about how Large Language Models (LLM) can be augmented with techniques such as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) to work in real time with a service provider’s rapidly changing data and distributed siloed and/or federated database environment, while taking advantage of the enormous power of publicly trained LLMs like GPT-4 and PaLM 2.

Applicability of generative AI in the telecom industry.
Harnessing the power of rapidly changing and highly sensitive service provider data in a generative AI environment.
Opportunities for use of generative AI both within the service provider and externally with partners over LSO interfaces.

LSO Service Provider Use Cases

14:30–15:00

LSO Service Providers will present a range of diverse enterprise B2B and wholesale use cases, covering a range of products and services for which LSO APIs can be used, including: