Network Core: Delivering on the promise of 5G | Fireside Chat

Neil McRae

BT Group Chief Architect, MD, Architecture and Technology Strategy, BT

Neil, named after the first man to walk upon the moon, has more than twenty years’ experience in networking, systems, security and technology. Neil’s purpose is to get people connected and engaged with technology.

He joined BT in 2011 as Chief Network Architect driving the network strategy for BT across all lines of business. Using simplification as a core strategy; Neil was able to realise significant savings and improved customer experience on BT’s core products including broadband, voice, Ethernet and VPN. Neil was also instrumental in driving mobile and wireless as a critical capability which lead to BT acquiring 4G spectrum and building a 4G network. This led to the acquisition of EE where Neil lead the technology workstream.

Neil is now BT Chief Architect leading Architecture and Technology direction across BT, most recently leading the strategy on BT’s 5G programme and setting the strategy and architecture for BT’s IT Transformation programme now known as Simplify. Neil is a BT Distinguished Engineer.

Neil has been recognised in the industry on many occasions most recently being named in the 5G 100, a list of the most influential names in 5G.

Neil helps children with special needs in developing their technical skills in areas of computer programming and electronic engineering. Neil also runs board, video and pinball gaming events for children with Autism and is a fund raiser for the National Autistic Society.

Neil studied Management at Sloan School of Management and Software Engineering at Edinburgh. Neil is recognised for his interest in the history of telecommunications in Spaceflight and is a speaker at many space industry events. Neil is an advanced driving instructor.

Alex Quach

Intel Vice President and General Manager, Wireline and Core, Network Division, Intel Corporation

Alexander (Alex) D. Quach is a vice president of the Data Platforms Group and general manager of the Wireline and Core Network Division (WCND) within the Network Platforms Group at Intel Corporation. As part of the Intel Data Platforms Group, he is responsible for driving Intel’s business across service provider wireline access networks (broadband, cable) as well as the wireless core networks. WCND is specifically focused on the industry transition to virtualized and cloud native solutions along with the 5G next generation core to edge network.

Quach was a marketing manager for test and measurement products at Tektronix Inc.  before joining Intel® in 1997 as a product marketing engineer for desktop products. He was responsible for promoting the growth of Intel's wireless connectivity business in multiple market segments, including machine-to-machine communication, the automotive sector, low-power wide-area (LPWA) networking and client connectivity. Prior to that, Quach led Intel's wireless connectivity solutions business within the Client Computing Group, where he focused on mobile client platforms based on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wireless gigabit (WiGig) and cellular technologies. Earlier in his Intel career, as director of wireless marketing for the company's mobile wireless business unit, he led marketing for Intel's WiMAX product portfolio. Quach also spent several years as a customer marketing manager in the service provider group.

Quach has dual bachelor’s degrees in physics and psychology and an MBA from the University of Washington.

Guy Daniels

Director of Content, TelecomTV