Dr Rolf Werner: AI is Critical for the Telco Revolution

AI continues to transform the telecommunications industry. With AI projected to contribute US$450bn across verticals by 2030, organisations worldwide are exploring, developing and deploying AI as they prepare for the technology to reshape our lives.

To tackle the AI transformation head-on, Nokia is strategically positioning itself through innovations in network optimisation, energy efficiency and security. The telco is also exploring the significance of quantum-safe networks, particularly as it continues to expand its 5G infrastructure across Europe.

On this subject, Mobile Magazine speaks exclusively with Dr Rolf Werner, Head of Europe at Nokia, about how businesses continue to strategically position themselves to reap the benefits of AI. He tells us how the role of AI is continuing to change in the telco industry in 2025 and how organisations can keep these safe.

How have you seen the role of AI change within the telco industry?

A dynamic ecosystem of players is emerging, driven by opportunities like AI-optimised chips, miniaturised hardware and innovative ML Ops, and software techniques to optimise AI models. AI-powered apps and tools are streamlining processes and jobs, with examples like AI-enabled coding assistants that double software development speed.

AI promises to automate complex tasks, extract valuable insights from data and enhance customer experiences. Businesses that fail to embrace AI or lag in its adoption risk falling behind in a world increasingly dominated by this transformative technology. Networks must and will adapt, but operators must do so together responsibly.

In recent years, we have seen more and more AI-based solutions in the telco industry. At Nokia, we already put AI to work for energy efficiency, network optimisation and security. 

AI is a big part of our portfolio and we are investing in it. Our partnership with Nvidia, for example, helps us aim to revolutionise AI-ready radio access network (RAN) solutions.

Internally, we have an in-house Large Language Model (LLM) Gateway, with 52 use cases advancing to the proof-of-concept stage so far. The most popular are Information Retrieval and Coding Support.

What are some of the key challenges telecom operators face in adapting their network infrastructure to meet evolving customer needs?

AI will enable service providers to streamline operations, boost performance and enhance customer satisfaction. 

By leveraging AI, they can achieve significant cost savings, improve network performance and security and optimise customer fulfillment and retention. Ultimately, AI will drive business value, competitive advantage and profitability for service providers in the years to come.

How is AI technology helping to transform network operations to meet these needs?

AI technology is playing a crucial role in transforming network operations to meet the evolving needs of CSPs and their customers. We address growing bandwidth demands and network complexity by utilising AI algorithms that analyse historical data and current trends to predict future traffic patterns, also known as predictive capacity planning. 

We can also leverage AI to optimise network configurations and resource allocation in real-time. Dynamic Network Slicing enables CSPs to offer differentiated services with guaranteed performance levels.

Analysing customer data, AI can help CSPs understand preferences and usage patterns and offer personalised services. AI-powered real-time monitoring can detect potential issues in the network before they impact customers as well as optimise performance.

The energy efficiency of networks can be improved with the use of AI much better than with simple pattern-based mechanisms. Also, AI helps to automate routine tasks in network management to free up resources for strategic initiatives and improve operational efficiency.

For example, Nokia MantaRay network management (NM) leverages big data. It combines this data with AI techniques for various functionalities. Being the central source of network-wide operations, it also provides a great source of input for other AI applications in operator networks. 

Nokia is closely collaborating with operators on AI concepts and use cases, e.g. intelligent correlation of network alarms. These innovations help maximise the value of AI in network management.

AI is also crucial for enabling edge computing and 5G applications, which require low latency and high bandwidth. AI-powered network optimisation and automation are essential for managing these complex and dynamic environments.

How can telcos keep these innovations safe? Tell us why Quantum Safe Networks are becoming a hot topic in the industry.

All innovations bring new opportunities and risks and quantum computing is no exception. With its ability to process complex datasets more efficiently and optimise network configurations and robustness, quantum computing promises substantial benefits to world economies and societal operations.

However, it is no secret that it also poses a significant risk to the cryptographic systems that have protected secure communications for decades, potentially allowing threat actors to execute attacks unmatched by today's standard computers. 

Here is the dilemma: quantum capabilities can solve significant challenges facing humanity in the right hands, but in the wrong hands, they can be used to steal our private, business or government's seemingly secure and encrypted data, whether in our computers, cloud or transiting through communications networks. 

This dilemma makes Quantum Safe Networks a key topic to address as new systems are needed to protect and secure our networks. As the threat landscape grows, the networks we all rely on require modernised and upgraded security protocols and multi-layered, defense-in-depth, quantum-safe architectures. 

While the world moves to the new era of the Quantum Economy and continues adapting to changing business needs, we should discuss Quantum-Safe Networks as a present-day necessity. 

What is Nokia’s approach to integrating AI for network optimisation?

Our approach to integrating AI for network optimisation is multifaceted, as we focus on leveraging AI to gain deeper insights with tools like AI-based digital twins, spectral performance analysis and cognitive RF analytics. We also work to enhance network efficiency with AI-powered energy management and predictive maintenance.

Some of the tools we use to automate network operations include event-driven automation – EDA, self-organising networks – SON, AI-based smart wireless analytics tool – SWAT. We also use AI-powered customer experience analytics to accelerate deployment and improve overall customer experience.

How is Nokia leveraging cloud technology to enhance its network capabilities and meet future demand?

Our Cloud RAN approach, known as anyRAN, emphasises flexibility and openness. It disaggregates RAN hardware and software, allowing operators to choose from a variety of server vendors, cloud platforms and even combine purpose-built RAN with Cloud RAN in hybrid networks. 

This approach ensures feature and performance consistency between Cloud RAN and traditional RAN while providing operators with greater choice and control over their network infrastructure. Nokia's anyRAN is a compelling option for operators looking to modernise their networks and embrace the benefits of cloud computing.

How do you expect AI to keep impacting the telco sector in 2025?

There will be more and more AI-enabled use cases and the use cases will become more and more sophisticated. At the same time, we are not stopping to work on what is already out there: existing use cases will also improve over time. We do this as part of our R&D, but also together with others, like in the AI RAN Alliance, to build an ecosystem. 

If we look at the more distant future, 6G will be AI native. This means that AI will not be added later as a separate layer, it will be an integral part of 6G. At Nokia, we are working closely with our forward-looking customers to test 6G technologies. For instance, with NTT, Docomo, and SKT, we are exploring how AI will unlock new capabilities and enhance performance in 6G networks.

How is Nokia progressing in its deployment of 5G networks in the UK and Europe?

We have delivered strong year-on-year growth and grown our global 5G RAN market share winning new deals all over the world including MEO in Portugal. 

We are focused on delivering excellent experiences for our customers and pushing the boundaries into new areas such as AI and Cloud RAN.

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