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James Pearce, TelecomTV (00:07):
Network simplification is increasingly critical as mobile networks grow more complex with each generation. Operators must manage operational complexity, improve energy efficiency, and reduce ownership costs while launching new services. To discuss this and more, I'm delighted to welcome Bernard Bureau, who is Board Director at the NGMN and VP Wireless Technology and Services at TELUS. Welcome, Bernard. Let's start by discussing what attendees can expect from this year's NGMN press and industry briefing.
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (00:41):
Yes. As we head towards MWC, our operating models are evolving. The next decades won't be about only new internet technology and incremental upgrades. It's going to be a lot about intelligence, resilience, and making sure that every investment delivers value. A top priority and a major focus area is to transition to true cloud-native solutions and agentic AI-based operating models. And at MWC, we'll be very clear about the frameworks that we are releasing and what the industry needs to do to make this a reality.
James Pearce, TelecomTV (01:18):
For several years, NGMN has provided guidance related to mastering the route to disaggregation and to cloud-native networks, which is paving the way for autonomous networks. What's the latest guidance related to these items?
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (01:33):
Soon, we will publish a new paper called Cloud Native Next Chapter. It's about agentic AI-based operating models. And it's because disaggregation was never just about decoupling hardware and software. It was about using open solutions so that we could inject true intelligence into the network. And building on the CNCF maturity model, we've defined the five essential AI adoption levels required to transform an operator's people, processes, and technology. We expect an open ecosystem with AI agents managing workflows across the RAN, the core, and the transport seamlessly.
James Pearce, TelecomTV (02:16):
Why is network simplification becoming a strategic priority for mobile operators? And what type of guidance does NGMN provide?
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (02:25):
Yes. Network simplification is critical as mobile networks grow more and more complex with each generation. Operators must manage the operational complexity, but also improve energy efficiency, meet regulatory requirements on top of reducing the total cost of ownership, and at the same time, enabling new 5G services. So simplification in that context is essential to address these combined pressures. In its framework for network simplification, and that's a paper that we published at the beginning of this year, NGMN proposes an approach to help MNOs identify their focus areas for network simplification depending on their context. This includes selecting the right cloud-native stack for 5G standalone and expanding AI into operational automation, as well as exposing network APIs for developers. And on top of that, deploy AI to manage and assure complex core services.
James Pearce, TelecomTV (03:23):
What role does AI play in network simplification?
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (03:27):
Well, AI serves as the foundational enabler for network simplification by driving end-to-end automation across planning, deployment, optimisation, and daily operation. By shifting from manual and rule-based troubleshooting to predictive and prescriptive analytics, AI greatly reduces the manual effort and it empowers networks to achieve a higher level of self-healing autonomy. Crucially, as operators deploy complex and customised 5G services, like for example, network slicing, AI is essential to manage the resulting operational complexity, but also to guarantee a reliable service assurance across so many different offerings, all of those running on a single unified network.
James Pearce, TelecomTV (04:15):
As operators look to roll out new 5G services and plan their deployments for 6G, network simplification is a key strategic priority. But as outlined today, autonomous networks and AI will play a vital role in overcoming these challenges. Bernard, thank you for joining us on TelecomTV.
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (04:35):
My pleasure.
Network simplification is increasingly critical as mobile networks grow more complex with each generation. Operators must manage operational complexity, improve energy efficiency, and reduce ownership costs while launching new services. To discuss this and more, I'm delighted to welcome Bernard Bureau, who is Board Director at the NGMN and VP Wireless Technology and Services at TELUS. Welcome, Bernard. Let's start by discussing what attendees can expect from this year's NGMN press and industry briefing.
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (00:41):
Yes. As we head towards MWC, our operating models are evolving. The next decades won't be about only new internet technology and incremental upgrades. It's going to be a lot about intelligence, resilience, and making sure that every investment delivers value. A top priority and a major focus area is to transition to true cloud-native solutions and agentic AI-based operating models. And at MWC, we'll be very clear about the frameworks that we are releasing and what the industry needs to do to make this a reality.
James Pearce, TelecomTV (01:18):
For several years, NGMN has provided guidance related to mastering the route to disaggregation and to cloud-native networks, which is paving the way for autonomous networks. What's the latest guidance related to these items?
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (01:33):
Soon, we will publish a new paper called Cloud Native Next Chapter. It's about agentic AI-based operating models. And it's because disaggregation was never just about decoupling hardware and software. It was about using open solutions so that we could inject true intelligence into the network. And building on the CNCF maturity model, we've defined the five essential AI adoption levels required to transform an operator's people, processes, and technology. We expect an open ecosystem with AI agents managing workflows across the RAN, the core, and the transport seamlessly.
James Pearce, TelecomTV (02:16):
Why is network simplification becoming a strategic priority for mobile operators? And what type of guidance does NGMN provide?
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (02:25):
Yes. Network simplification is critical as mobile networks grow more and more complex with each generation. Operators must manage the operational complexity, but also improve energy efficiency, meet regulatory requirements on top of reducing the total cost of ownership, and at the same time, enabling new 5G services. So simplification in that context is essential to address these combined pressures. In its framework for network simplification, and that's a paper that we published at the beginning of this year, NGMN proposes an approach to help MNOs identify their focus areas for network simplification depending on their context. This includes selecting the right cloud-native stack for 5G standalone and expanding AI into operational automation, as well as exposing network APIs for developers. And on top of that, deploy AI to manage and assure complex core services.
James Pearce, TelecomTV (03:23):
What role does AI play in network simplification?
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (03:27):
Well, AI serves as the foundational enabler for network simplification by driving end-to-end automation across planning, deployment, optimisation, and daily operation. By shifting from manual and rule-based troubleshooting to predictive and prescriptive analytics, AI greatly reduces the manual effort and it empowers networks to achieve a higher level of self-healing autonomy. Crucially, as operators deploy complex and customised 5G services, like for example, network slicing, AI is essential to manage the resulting operational complexity, but also to guarantee a reliable service assurance across so many different offerings, all of those running on a single unified network.
James Pearce, TelecomTV (04:15):
As operators look to roll out new 5G services and plan their deployments for 6G, network simplification is a key strategic priority. But as outlined today, autonomous networks and AI will play a vital role in overcoming these challenges. Bernard, thank you for joining us on TelecomTV.
Bernard Bureau, TELUS (04:35):
My pleasure.
Please note that video transcripts are provided for reference only – content may vary from the published video or contain inaccuracies.
Bernard Bureau, NGMN Board Director, VP, Wireless Technology & Services, TELUS
As mobile networks grow increasingly complex with each generation, NGMN is providing new frameworks to help operators manage operational challenges while reducing costs and improving efficiency. Bernard Bureau, board director of NGMN and VP of wireless technology at Telus, outlines the organisation’s upcoming ‘Cloud Native Next Chapter’ paper on agentic AI-based operating models, and discusses its five essential AI adoption levels for transforming operator processes, the strategic importance of network simplification, and how AI can be used as the foundation for end-to-end automation across planning, deployment and daily operations.
Recorded February 2026
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