The top telco conferences and trends shaping our future
For those of you that may not know about Allot, we’re a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions for communication service providers and innovative network intelligence for both service providers and enterprises all over the world. We help top-tier telecom companies and other organizations to generate additional revenue, save money, and bring more value and quality to their customers.
Our multi-service platforms are deployed by over 500 mobile, fixed and cloud service providers and our industry-leading network-based mass-market security-as-a-service solution has achieved over 50% penetration with some service providers and is already used by over 23 million subscribers in Europe.
In the world of telecom, we see that there’s no shortage of industry events. However, not all these events are created equal. It’s very easy for companies to waste time and money trying to do them all. Many companies spend millions of dollars and a great deal of time every year to maintain engagement and drive the pulse of the industry. We’ve been in this business since 1996 and we’ve definitely seen “the good, the bad, and the ugly” of industry events. We’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, what works, and what doesn’t; what’s helpful, and what’s not; and what events drive industry trends, and which don’t.
Experience has taught us well and we’ve seen specific events rise to the top of “the good” list for a variety of reasons. Compared to others, these events continually deliver value by providing opportunities to see the latest innovations and meet today’s most influential visionaries in the industry. These are some of the events that we feel are important and worthwhile to attend because the things happening there are shaping the future of our industry.
1. MWC Barcelona
When: February
Where: Barcelona, Spain
The MWC (formally known as Mobile World Congress) is the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry. In 2019, the annual communications industry event attracted over 109,000 visitors from 198 countries and territories. Among the visitors were over 7,900 CEOs and 3,640 industry analysts and international media representatives, which were there report on the many significant industry announcements.
In addition to the vast assortment of exhibitors, the event incorporates a thought-leadership conference featuring prominent executives representing global mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors, and content owners.
Why is the event important?
If you need to ask, then you really should go and see for yourself. MWC is the largest mobile event in the world, bringing together the latest innovations and leading-edge technology alongside today’s most influential visionaries. The event presents a fantastic opportunity to build a well-connected global network with professionals from every sector of the mobile industry.
2. Telecoms World Asia
When: March
Where: Bangkok, Thailand
https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/telecoms-world-asia/index.stm
For over 20 years, Telecoms World Asia has been an annual platform for leading international carriers, operators, authorities and suppliers to meet, learn, and create fruitful business partnerships for the betterment of wholesale revenue and growth.
The 2020 #telecomsworldasia event is addressing 5 key themes: network virtualization, intelligent connectivity, Telco 4.0, something called “Carriers World Asia,” and 5G (of course).
Why is the event important?
Digitization in telecommunications represents a $2 trillion opportunity. Telecoms World Asia is focused on helping industry participants to realize it.
3. Mobile Carriers Show
When: March/April
Where: Dallas, Texas
https://www.mobilecarriers.org/
The CCA (Competitive Carriers Association) Mobile Carriers Show is the only North American event to focus exclusively on smart strategies, technology innovations, and business opportunities for carriers in this increasingly mobile world. As a result, it brings together more senior decision-makers from more carrier organizations than any other trade show in the United States.
CCA’s Mobile Carriers Show educational program, networking opportunities, and exhibit floor will explore technology trends that are changing the way we work and live, and will provide a platform for companies to reach the lucrative competitive carrier market, which spends $15 billion annually on products and services in the North American wireless ecosystem.
Why is the event important?
This show provides the ideal meeting place for competitive carriers and wireless stakeholders to come together under one roof for networking, educational, and business opportunities. It brings together more C-Level executives, from more carrier organizations than any other business event in the United States.
#MCS2020 attendees have the opportunity to learn firsthand how smart strategies and technology innovations in the telecom industry present new business opportunities, and how to adapt to this increasingly mobile world.
4. IWCE
When: March/April
Where: Las Vegas, USA
https://www.iwceexpo.com/iwce20/Public/Enter.aspx
For over 40 years the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) has been North America’s premier critical communications event. It is the one place where critical communication technology professionals gather to evaluate, learn and network with industry leaders.
It features a five-day conference program and an 80,000 square foot exhibit hall filled with nearly 400 exhibitors. 6,500+ industry professionals from around the world attend from government, public safety, utilities, transportation, enterprise, professional services and the dealer community.
Why is the event important?
In addition to its traditional core of LMR (land mobile radio) technology, dealer networking and public-safety LTE (Long-Term Evolution), #IWCE2020 will feature education about emerging critical-infrastructure technologies such as 5G, NG911, the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, in-building communications, smart grid, and special outdoor demonstrations of drone capabilities. It’s a chance to see where “the rubber meets the road” and specific ways new tech is implemented out in the real world within mission-critical applications.
5. Big 5G Event
When: May
Where: Dallas, Texas
https://tmt.knect365.com/big-5g-event/
2020 #BIG5GEVENT topics include optimal 5G planning and deployment strategies, private networks, the pivotal role of AI and automation for telecom carriers, 5G applications and use cases, 5G network slicing, securing 5G networks, redefining RAN in the 5G world, network virtualization and cloud-defined 5G networks, unlocking the power of edge computing, and 5G transport and X-haul strategies.
Why is the event important?
The Big 5G Event, produced by Informa Telecoms & Media, was established to help participants to build, launch, and monetize in the world of 5G. 2019 saw more than 1,800 telecom professionals, 600 global service providers, and 170 inspirational speakers at the event.
6. Network Virtualization & SDN Americas
When: September
Where: Denver, Colorado
https://tmt.knect365.com/network-virtualization-sdn-americas/
Formerly known as the NFV & Carrier SDN Summit, Network Virtualization & SDN Americas is the leading NV & SDN (software-defined networking) event in the region.
This show focuses on telecom community strategies to virtualize, automate, and streamline operations for service providers in the era of cloud and edge.
Keynotes and panels by the top minds in the industry address the challenges to real-world implementation of NFV and SDN technologies. Expert speakers at #NVAMERICAS address business strategies around deploying SD-WAN, 5G, cloud-native infrastructure, edge computing, data center interconnection, and more.
Why is the event important?
This relatively small industry event provides a lot of opportunities for high-quality face-to-face meetings with important people in the industry.
7. Broadband World Forum
When: October
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
https://tmt.knect365.com/bbwf/
The goal of the Broadband World Forum (BBWF) is to unify leaders from telcos and solution providers toward the upgrade, future-proofing, and monetization of next-generation networks.
Co-timed with the #BBWF is the Broadband Forum, which is an industry consortium dedicated to developing broadband network specifications. Members include telecommunications networking and service provider companies, broadband device and equipment vendors, consultants and independent testing labs (ITLs).
Why is the event important?
The event expects to see more than 4100 broadband professionals representing more than 1500 operators, ISPs, solution providers, analysts, government bodies, and startups.
8. AfricaCom
When: November
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
https://tmt.knect365.com/africacom/
AfricaCom is the largest information and communications technology (ICT) exhibition on the continent, covering topics like 5G, wholesale telecoms, and digital video distribution.
The event also features AfricaTech, designed to help participants successfully navigate their digital transformation journeys. AfricaTech focuses on AI, Fintech, IoT, data centers, and other topics.
Why is the event important?
#AfricaCom is set to bring together more than 15,000 attendees, 450 speakers, and 500 exhibitors. This gathering focuses on connectivity infrastructure, disruptive technologies, digital services, ICT strategy, with opportunities to network, learn, and get deals done.
See you around!
So much is happening in our industry and the trends related to 5G, artificial intelligence, automation, network function virtualization, software-defined networking, intelligent connectivity, IoT, cybersecurity, and monetization strategies are very exciting.
Telecom trade shows, especially the important ones like these, are a great place tap into the pulse of all the innovation that’s driving our industry, as well as to meet new people and renew old relationships.
Of course, as things develop, there may be other important events to add to the list. Think there’s something we missed? Contact us with your ideas, or meet up with us at an upcoming event.
