Building the Future Network: Nokia CNS’ GenAI Strategic Vision
Nokia's CTO shares a vision for telco networks that are conversational, scalable, and capable of unlocking significant new value.
Jitin Bhandari, as the CTO of Nokia’s Cloud and Network Services (CNS), envisions “Building the Future Network” as a transformative journey toward highly autonomous, AI-driven, and cloud-native network architectures that redefine how communication service providers (CSPs) and enterprises operate.
His vision centers on leveraging advanced technologies—particularly artificial intelligence (both traditional and generative AI), cloud computing, and network programmability—to create networks that are conversational, scalable, and capable of unlocking significant new value.
At the core of his vision is the idea that future networks will be conversational in nature, enabling seamless interaction between humans and systems through natural language and autonomous operations.
Bhandari predicts that within three to five years, networks will evolve to integrate AI pervasively, simplifying operations, enhancing customer experiences, and reducing costs through automation. This shift is driven by the synergy of traditional AI and generative AI, which he sees as critical for achieving fully autonomous networks—a key goal for CSPs.
Bhandari emphasizes a network-cloud continuum that spans devices, edge infrastructure, and core networks, blending cloud-native principles with AI to support a wide range of consumer, enterprise, and industrial use cases. He believes this architecture will allow CSPs to tap into substantial market opportunities—estimated at $1.1 trillion—by serving vertical industries with agility and scale.
A cornerstone of this vision is the concept of Network as Code, which simplifies complex 5G networks, introduces openness and programmability, and fosters collaboration with ecosystem partners like developers and enterprises to drive innovation and revenue.
Automation is foundational to his strategy, supported by four pillars (though not explicitly detailed in available sources, they likely include efficiency, scalability, adaptability, and intelligence). He also highlights the importance of a robust data strategy and a “model farm” approach—using multiple AI techniques rather than relying on a single model—to address diverse use cases effectively.
Additionally, Bhandari underscores the need for ecosystems and partnerships, positioning networks as platforms that enable B2B and B2C transformation by making them relevant to industries beyond traditional telecom.
His vision goes beyond technology, focusing on practical outcomes: simplifying network complexity, enhancing security (e.g., through AI-driven threat detection), lowering operational costs, and enabling CSPs to monetize 5G capabilities faster. By integrating Nokia’s deep domain expertise and Bell Labs’ innovation heritage, Bhandari aims to create a programmable digital ecosystem where networks not only connect but also empower industries and societies for the future.
