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Ericsson Regional Connect | Issue 3 – Winter/Spring 2021
CCA 2020 went virtual, focused on virtualization and 5G in a mobile world
CCA Annual Convention: CCA 2020 October 21, 2020 | Virtual
Ericsson had a strong presence at the fall 2020 Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) Annual Convention, North America’s only event focused exclusively on smart strategies, technology innovations and business opportunities for carriers in an ever-more mobile world. We served as a Pinnacle sponsor, the highest level of event sponsorship.
The convention went virtual this year, bringing together more than 1,000 policymakers and technology innovators online to discuss policy issues, technology innovation and business strategies important to competitive carriers. Virtualization, 5G and COVID-19 pandemic-related topics were top of mind during the one-day event.
Paul Challoner, Ericsson’s Vice President of Network Product Solutions, keynoted the morning session on Open RAN (O-RAN) opportunities and challenges. The progression of networks toward virtualization and increased openness is an area of innovation where we are deeply committed and engaged. Challoner shared key insights on the opportunities and challenges O-RAN presents and provided a look at how we are is actively contributing to O-RAN specifications to make it a viable complement to 3GPP in the future.
Additionally, Ericsson thought leaders engaged in five panel discussions in the educational programming seminars series across multiple tracks:
• In the policy track, Vikas Sharma, Head of Operations for Regional Carriers Customer Unit, spoke to lessons learned as competitive carriers have risen to meet the challenges of maintaining and even expanding services in their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In two sessions in the business development track, Peter Linder, Head of 5G Marketing, North America, addressed the potential that 5G verticals hold for rural America, while Dr. Brenda Connor, Director of IoT Platform Application for Ericsson, discussed dynamics of public/private partnerships and the productivity of wireless service objectives in the smart city ecosystem.
• In a technical track session, Surya Bommakanti, Vice President/ Chief Information Officer of Regional Carriers Customer Unit, addressed the topic of virtualization technologies for carriers. In another session, Bill Chotiner, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Regional Carriers Customer Unit, discussed the technical requirements to bring 5G capabilities to rural America.
Watch Paul Challoner’s CCA keynote on Ericsson’s engagement in addressing the challenges and opportunities of open networks.
Upcoming event
CCA Mobile Carriers Show Virtual event March 30-31, 2021
