Spotlight on MEF19 | TelecomDrive.com
Whether it is MEF 3.0 services, SD-WAN, edge computing or inter-provider service automation with LSO APIs – happening in Los Angeles during 18th – 22nd November, 2019 – MEF19 is setting an ideal stage for global telecoms community to understand the complete 2020 digital transformation strategy and how they can make this digital transformation journey ahead.
Stan Hubbard, MEF Director of Communications and Research and MEF19 Program Director speaks with Zia Askari from TelecomDrive.com about the upcoming MEF19 and why it is important for telecoms professionals to attend this mega event in Los Angeles.
What is the central theme / Key focus for MEF19?
MEF19 is a global networking event focused on accelerating the industry transformation to dynamic, assured, and certified services across a global federation of automated networks. Hot topics include: MEF 3.0 services, SD-WAN, edge computing, cloud services, inter-provider service automation with LSO APIs, intent-based networking, AI/ML, Blockchain, security, 5G, SDN/NFV, workforce transformation, and more.
Why it is important for new age telecoms and ecosystem players to attend this event?
MEF19 provides all you need to complete your 2020 digital transformation strategy with insight from industry leaders worldwide. Our event uniquely empowers attendees with the very best lineup of speakers, extraordinary peer-to-peer networking opportunities, and live demonstrations of cutting-edge services and technologies.
What really stands out is that world-leading service providers account for nearly all of our biggest sponsors, which helps ensure our program is relevant to the needs of their retail and wholesale customers. This incredible level of support from top industry players enables us to assemble a world-class lineup of service provider, cloud provider, technology provider, and enterprise speakers.
MEF events have always been showcasing a number of Disruptive innovations, what can we expect in this regards from MEF19?
The MEF 3.0 Proof of Concept (PoC) Showcase will spotlight emerging services and enabling technologies optimized for the digital economy. More than 50 companies will be participating this year. MEF 3.0 PoCs will cover a wide variety of topics, including SD-WAN, inter-provider service automation with LSO, Carrier Ethernet, Optical Transport, security, network slicing with 5G, SDN/NFV, service assurance, and more.
How is MEF19 going to be different than the previous editions?
We are expanding the topics covered and have invested a lot of time and energy to develop an action-oriented program that will help service providers on their journey to transform their businesses, services, and networks; federate on a global basis; and certify that their services perform at the highest levels.
We will especially have a big focus on SD-WAN and inter-provider service automation with LSO.
In July 2019, MEF published the industry’s first global standard defining an SD-WAN service and its service attributes to help accelerate SD-WAN market growth. At MEF19, we will explore how combining standardized SD-WAN services with dynamic high-speed underlay connectivity services will enable service providers to offer MEF 3.0 hybrid networking solutions with unprecedented user- and application-directed control over network resources and service capabilities.
We also are excited to share how service providers worldwide are embracing standardized LSO (Lifecycle Service Orchestration) APIs to automate business-to-business interactions among multiple providers. These LSO APIs are foundational accelerating the shift to dynamic services across federated networks.
How many people are expected to attend this year’s event?
MEF19 has a target audience of 1,000+ attendees from 275+ companies and 35+ countries.
Please share details on some of the confirmed keynote speakers? And what are they going to speak on?
MEF19 will feature the keynote addresses, executive presentations, and panel discussions involving 115+ speakers, including the following top experts:
- Marc Halbfinger, CEO, PCCW Global
- Eric Cevis, President, Verizon Partner Solutions
- Robert Victor, SVP of Product Management, Comcast Business
- Andrew Dugan, CTO, CenturyLink
- Sue Galvanek, VP of Enterprise Networking, AT&T
- Yousef Khalidi, Corporate VP, Azure Networking
- Satya Parimi, Group VP, Enterprise Data, Spectrum Enterprise
- Jeremy Wubs, SVP, Marketing for Bell Business Markets, Bell Canada
- Wadah Ely Aalaoui, GM, Enterprise Networks & Cloud, Bell Canada
- Frederick Chui, Chief Commercial Officer, PCCW Global
- Franck Morales, VP Connectivity Services, Orange Business Services
- Michael Strople, Managing Director – Canada, Zayo Group
- Jeff Lewis, VP Data Product Management, Comcast Business
- Daniele Mancuso, Executive VP, ICT Engineering, Sparkle
- Kevin Gallo, Director, Solutions Development, US General Services Administration (GSA)
