Deutsche Telekom’s VP of architecture: We’re becoming a company driven by data and AI

However, fiber-based broadband is only part of the service provider’s vision. Van briel said the next step is to become a digital technology leader.

“We’re evolving from a traditional operator to a technology-driven company focused on disaggregated networks driven by data and AI,” he said.  

Drivers and challenges

There are several drivers to Deutsche Telekom’s digital vision. Like other large Tier 1 service providers, DT sees the opportunity to use its resources more efficiently.

These resources include network investments, reduced work hours, and lowered power consumption.

One initiative is to put more of its network functions into the cloud.

“Today, we can do in-service software upgrades during the day and move around the workflows between different network nodes,” van Briel said. “This enables great resilience and efficiencies.”

With this foundation, DT can enhance network coverage and scale the benefits across the country. The service provider can also lower power consumption by migrating to a fiber-based network.   

“If I look at the network today, even at 3 in the morning, we still consume 80 percent of power,” van Briel said. “We need to change that dramatically.”

Despite the opportunity, the service provider recognizes various telecom industry challenges to achieve its goals.

Besides trying new methods that are not standard, political issues and supply constraints remain.  “Political struggles and supply chain issues make the process more challenging,” van Briel said.

However, he recognized the potential of the optical industry, including wireless technologies like O-RAN and pluggable technology. “In the optical communications space, we see this as less of a challenge as the pace of innovation is strong,” van Briel said. “This is being driven largely by the demands and contributions of the industry.”

Perhaps even more critical is leveraging new technologies like AI to proactively solve issues before they impact customers.

“We can use AI to conduct early live updates before they impact a customer,” van Briel said.

Enhancing the workforce

Another critical issue Deutsche Telekom will have to tackle as it advances its FTTH and technology goals is bolstering its workforce.

Over the past decade, Deutsche Telekom has invested over $170 billion to build out its next-gen wireless and fiber-based last-mile networks. Specifically, it brought 1 Gbps of capacity to all its wireless cell sites and enabled fiber-based broadband to 2.5 million households annually.

Earlier this year, the telco said it was on track to reach 25 million–30 million households with its fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network by 2030, reporting that the count increased by 158,000 in March to 8.2 million.

To achieve its FTTP expansion goals, DT has enacted a three-pillar strategy. In addition to financing its own network builds and subsidized projects in underserved areas, it will rely on working with partners, including a mix of municipal utilities, regional carriers, or nationwide competitors such as Telefónica, Vodafone, or 1&1.

“In this fiber rollout, we see tremendous challenges, including the rate of getting fiber in place, workforce shortages and limited budgets,” van Riel said.

To address these issues, DT has revamped how its 20,000-employee workforce operates. This comes as more of its workforce gets ready to retire.

“We must digitize our network to roll out the fiber at the speed we want,” van Riel said. “We’ll use scanners that include AI to optimize planning or give our construction workers a handheld device that allows them to do a daily scan of the underground network infrastructure.”

From a budget perspective, he added that DT always seeks “opportunities to drive down costs for optical gear, ducts, or cables.”

Once again, the most critical issue is shortening customer activation times for its fiber broadband service. “We are focused on getting service into the customer’s hands,” van Riel said. “To deliver on our yearly deployment goals, we have reduced waiting time for service.”

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