Julie Bradford
- Head of techno-economic analysis, Real Wireless
Julie has worked in the wireless industry for over 15 years. At Real Wireless, she is a thought leader in 5G business case analysis including understanding 5G use cases, quantifying (in financial terms) the operational and socio-economic benefits of 5G services and understanding network dimensioning and cost implications under 5G virtualised networks.
She has most recently been working with city councils around their wireless strategy and related Green Book outline business case development. She also led Real Wireless’ techno-economic analysis on the EC Horizon 2020 5G-MoNArch project. Inspired by the project’s smart sea port testbed constructed by HPA, Nokia and DT in the Port of Hamburg, this analysis included quantifying the operational benefits of 5G to port authorities and other port users and the cost implications of delivering these industrial grade wireless services from existing mobile infrastructure via network slicing supported via the virtualised 5G-MoNArch network architecture.
Previously, Julie was Communications Engineer at QinetiQ UK, consultant at PA Consulting UK, and Senior Systems Engineer for Airvana UK. In addition to working at Real Wireless, Julie is a CW board member and champion for the CW Virtual Networks Special Interest Group (SIG).
Steve Coppins
- Business Development Manager, AttoCore Ltd
Steve Coppins started his telecoms career testing the operation of analogue trunks on the DMS-100, spending 15 years in R&D before roles in sales and marketing, product management and a secondment to SEEDA with responsibilities for RDA broadband policy. He is a firm believer in vendor diversification, in the need to support R&D and SMEs and in the need for government and regulators to remove barriers to the adoption of private networks. He is currently responsible for Business Development with AttoCore. His presentation will focus on the experience of implementing private networks, with specific reference to 5G Create projects.
Vinay Dhar
- SVP Business Development, BU Emerging Business, Mavenir
ICT professional with over 20 years of highly successful international experience in leadership role in driving Profit & Loss Business responsibility, client engagement, corporate Strategy, Sales & Business development and Solution/ product management of highly complex digital IT software systems and solutions. Unique skill-mix with amalgamation of deep technological domain expertise, hands-on management style and passion to drive profitable business growth. Entrepreneurial abilities to develop new businesses with innovative business models in new geographies. Strong knowledge of technologies across the stack (Applications, Infrastructure, Network, and Security) including emerging technologies (Cloud, Big Data, IoT, etc.).
Proven business understanding on Private Networks and IoT domain for cross Industries digital transformation such as Telecom, Media, Automotive, Utility, Public safety, manufacturing and more. In-depth business understanding and domain competence of wireless communications industry. Successful in delivering product development projects in a global delivery model. Recognized as a leader with excellent communication skills including ability to speak at major industry events. Currently working in Mavenir, Sweden in the capacity of SVP & Head Business Development, Emerging Business Unit. Responsibility is to build long-term profitable business for Mavenir with focus on Private Networks & IIoT domain with an established Eco-system market.
Stephen heads Spirents market strategy organization developing Spirents strategy, helping to define market positioning, future growth opportunities, new innovative solutions and market leading disruptive technologies. Stephen also leads Spirent’s strategic initiatives for 5G and future networks and represents Spirent on a number of Industry and Government advisory boards.
With over 25 years’ experience in telecommunications Stephen has been at the cutting edge of next generation technologies and has worked across the industry with service providers, network equipment manufacturers and start-ups, helping them drive innovation and transformation. Stephen is an ardent believer in connected technology and strives to challenge, blur and break down the silos which prevent innovation and business success.
Steve Evans
- Customer CTO UK&I, Nokia
It is a challenging but rewarding role that encompasses all types of Enterprise businesses such as Government, Energy, Transport, Manufacturing, Health etc etc. Strong focus on Private Wireless across all sectors.
Background has been 20 years of fixed and mobile telecoms both on the operator and the vendor sides covering OSS/BSS core, mobile, optical, IP, broadband and pretty much anything else over which a packet can go.
I enjoy motor racing, football and cycling. I do enough of one, not enough of one and can't afford one. I am married with 2 children who are both at high school which makes me wonder if time travel is possible given how quick their school life is passing.
Andrew Kelly
- Principal Consultant (Security), QinetiQ
Andrew Kelly is Principal Consultant in the Cyber & Information team and Technical Lead for Cyber Security, IoT and Telecoms Resilience at QinetiQ. Andrew has put to use extensive experience in both the public and private sector to provide leadership across a range of programmes and clients. Andrew has over 20 years’ experience across the security industry and began his career at a small consultancy called Buro Happold. Andrew was Technical Lead for the security of the London 2012 Olympic Park and Emirates Stadium Identity, Access Control and Security Systems. Andrew set up a security team in the Middle East and was embedded as Technical Security Lead for the Louvre Museum - Abu Dhabi. More recently Andrew was Chief Information Security Officer for the Emergency Services Network and has had significant involvement with the 5G Security Landscape on behalf of DCMS.
Mike Kennett
- Head of Regulatory Affairs, Freshwave, Senior Consultant & Head of Regulatory Affairs, Freshwave
Mike Kennett (PhD MIET) has over 25 years' experience in the industry, working with cellular, Wi-Fi, IoT, PMR, digital TV broadcasting and radar technologies. Currently with leading UK network service provider Freshwave, he plays a key role in developing innovative products and services for the company. He also helps customers assess the costs and benefits of wireless technologies, ensures compliance with EMF regulations and acquires spectrum when needed. In 2021 he was elected to techUK’s Communications Infrastructure and Services Council. His previous roles include eight years providing consultancy to Heathrow Airport, where his duties included advising on the impact of spectrum regulation proposals, writing Ofcom consultation responses and minimising interference within the complex radio environment at the airport. He started his career using radar on glaciers which took him to Norway, Arctic Canada and the Antarctic.
Roberto Kompany
- Principal Analyst, Omdia
Roberto is a member of Analysys Mason’s Telecoms Software and Networks research team and is the lead analyst for the Next-Generation Wireless Networks programme focusing on strategy and market research. He is also a Cambridge Wireless Special Interest Group (SIG) mobile broadband champion. Prior to joining Analysys Mason, Roberto worked for Dixons Carphone, where he analysed the effect on the business of shifts in the telecoms market – for example, in terms of mergers, operator KPIs and technology – in Europe and the UK. Previous positions included consultancy, where he helped a variety of clients worldwide with mobile-related projects, such as a capex reduction and developing a 5-year strategy for an incumbent’s wireless infrastructure. He started his career at a leading network equipment vendor, where he served in several different capacities, such as R&D, and deployment and optimisation of mobile infrastructures across multiple continents. Roberto holds an MSc in Mobile & Satellite Communications from University of Surrey and an MBA from IE Business School.
As head of telecoms and mobile at Cambridge Consultants, Derek leads the company’s collaboration within the sector. Central to Derek’s role at Cambridge Consultants is helping create breakthrough innovation that transforms the delivery of high-performance communication for their partners; from mobile carriers and ISPs, to vendors and component manufacturers. With over 20 years’ experience in mobile technology, Derek has held a range of multinational senior management roles and has a wealth of expertise across all generations of mobile and broadband technology, including LTE-A and 5G. Derek holds a PhD in telecommunications from the University of Bristol.
Francesca is a Telecom exec with 15 years of experience with roles spanning solution strategy, technical and strategic marketing, and business development.
She is currently working at Colt Technology Services as Emerging Technology Director with key responsibility in transforming tech trends in innovative solution.
Prior to joining Colt Technology Services, she has worked shortly for Ofcom as Technology Consultant with key focus on 5G security and resilience and previously she has worked for ICT vendor NEC for 15 years holding various senior roles across diverse technologies: AI, IoT, smart city/data platform, LTE, 5G, NFV/SDN.
In her latest role in NEC, Francesca has led the business incubation activity of digital transformation solutions. Key responsibilities included developing synergies across business units, technology partners and emerging technologies to enable the realisation of the digital agenda of city authorities across Europe as well as the definition of network transformation roadmap for service providers.
At NEC she has been responsible of strategy, business incubation and GTM activities of both customer experience and innovative small cell solutions.
Francesca is driven by passion for technology and innovation and has been a key contributor in the standardisation of LTE technology holding a number of patents on important functionalities including Self Organising Network, Ran Sharing Enhancement, and 4G security.
Mohsen Shakoor
- Senior Manager of Market Development, Pelion Ltd
Mr. Mohsen Shakoor (he/him) is Senior Manager of Market Development, responsible for Pelion’s strategic and go-to-market partners with a focus on IoT Connectivity, spanning OEMs and service providers across Europe, US and Asia. Holding a technical degree, ongoing MBA, successful tech start-up and subsequent experience, he helps organisations globally build and execute go-to-market plans for their connected device services.
Dimitra Simeonidou is a Full Professor at the University of Bristol, the Co-Director of the Bristol Digital Futures Institute and the Director of Smart Internet Lab. Her research is focusing on the fields of high-performance networks, programmable networks, wireless-optical convergence, 5G/6G and smart city infrastructures. She is increasingly working with Social Sciences on topics of digital transformation for society and businesses. Dimitra has been the Technical Architect and the CTO of the smart city project Bristol Is Open. She is currently leading the Bristol City/Region 5G and Open RAN pilots.
She is the author and co-author of over 600 publications, numerous patents and several major contributions to standards.
She has been co-founder of two spin-out companies, the latest being the University of Bristol VC funded spin-out Zeetta Networks delivering SDN solutions for enterprise and emergency networks.
Dimitra is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), a Fellow of the IEEE (FIEEE) and a Royal Society Wolfson Scholar.
Lou Walker
- Senior Portfolio Architect, BT
With 35 years in the telecommunications industry, Lou Walker has amassed a wide ranging experience in the Mobile Networks industry, having held leadership roles in Network Operations, Testing, Design, Solutions, Services and Architecture, on behalf of both Mobile Network Operators and Vendors. Currently working for BT within Mobile Architecture & Solutions, Lou is responsible for driving the technology development and implementation strategy for 5G Private Networks for BT’s Global and Enterprise ventures.