After a five-year break, the Whale Cloud Together Summit 2024 made a grand return in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together industry experts, innovators, and telecom leaders.
The day was packed with conversations about the future of telecommunications, from the latest in 5G to the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Let’s take a closer look at some of the key highlights that came out of this exciting event.
Kicking Things Off: Embracing Change
The summit started with a warm welcome from Ben Zhou, CEO of Whale Cloud International. He emphasized how crucial digital transformation has become for the telecom industry and how adapting to new technologies is the only way forward in today’s fast-paced world.
Following Ben Zhou, YB Teo Nie Ching, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Communications, took the stage to talk about Malaysia’s vision for a digitally inclusive society. Her message was clear: as the country moves forward with its national digitalization strategy, it’s essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has access to the benefits of technology.
The Necessity of Digital Transformation
A recurring theme throughout the summit was that digital transformation is no longer just an option—it’s a must. With technology evolving rapidly, telecom companies need to adapt or risk falling behind. Jasmine Lee, Chief Commercial Officer, Consumer, Telekom Malaysia, gave a presentation on the Telco-as-a-Service (TaaS) model. This approach allows telcos to offer more flexible, scalable services, which can help drive operational efficiency while also enhancing customer experience. Jasmine’s talk provided valuable insights into how Telekom Malaysia is leading the charge in this space, showing how important it is for companies to innovate if they want to thrive.
Whale Cloud’s Role: Enabling Innovation
Dora Xu, Executive Vice President of Whale Cloud International, followed up with a keynote on how Whale Cloud is helping telcos navigate the tricky water of digital transformation. Her talk highlighted the tools and solutions Whale Cloud offers to help telecom companies deliver trustworthy digital transformation services. Dora emphasized the need for flexibility and adaptability in the face of ever-changing customer demands, and how Whale Cloud is working with telcos to overcome challenges and push the industry forward.
Customer Experience in a Changing World
In a world where digital transformation is happening at lightning speed, one thing remains constant: customer experience is king. Ernesto (Eric) Alberto, CEO of DITO Telecommunity Corporation, took the stage to talk about how to engage and retain customers in this fast-changing landscape. His presentation emphasized the importance of data-driven strategies to not only meet but anticipate customer needs. Those who can deliver personalized, seamless experiences will have a major competitive edge in today’s market.
AI: The Game Changer for Telecom
Of course, no discussion about the future of telecom would be complete without diving into AI. George Zhao, Deputy Chief Marketing Officer of Whale Cloud International, gave a presentation on “Harnessing AI to Reshape the Telecom Industry.” From network optimization to predictive maintenance, AI is already playing a huge role in how telecom companies operate. But we’re only scratching the surface.
George explained how AI can be used to automate complex processes, reduce operational costs, and improve customer experiences. He gave real-world examples of how telcos are leveraging AI to stay ahead of the curve. It was clear from his talk that AI is not just a trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how the industry will move forward.
Following George’s keynote, a lively panel discussion on “The Key Role and Impact of AI in Digital Transformation” took place. Ernesto Mijangos, Professional Service Director, Pink Elephant, Shurish Subbramaniam, CTIO of Smartfren, Lian Jye Su, Chief Analyst at Omdia and George Zhao joined as panelists to explore the many ways AI is set to revolutionize the telecom sector, from predictive analytics to enhancing customer service.
5G: A New Era of Connectivity
Another hot topic at the summit was 5G. With the rollout of 5G networks continuing to accelerate around the world, Neil Tomkinson, Chief Information Officer of U Mobile delved into the potential of 5G to transform industries and bring about new business opportunities.
Neil’s talk wasn’t just about the tech behind 5G, though. He stressed the importance of using 5G to drive innovation in services, rather than just implementing the infrastructure. The future of telecom, he argued, will be shaped not just by faster speeds but by the innovative new services and the ecosystems that 5G makes possible.
Open Architectures and IT Automation
The summit also explored how open architectures and IT automation are helping telcos boost efficiency and stay agile. Steven Cho, Chief Marketing Officer of Whale Cloud International, introduced a platform based on open architecture. His presentation was a deep dive into how open systems can foster collaboration and innovation across the telecom ecosystem.
Similarly, Marco Cabral, Head of Business Enablement Services, and Tom Grethen, Head of Residential & SME Sales from POST Luxembourg discussed IT automation and how it can streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and lower costs. Their insights made it clear that automation is a key part of the future for telcos that want to remain competitive.
Fiber Networks: Connecting the World
Fiber networks are another area where telecom operators are investing heavily, and the summit didn’t shy away from addressing this. Chong Seng Sean, Regional Marketing Director at Whale Cloud, talked about “Fiber roll-out as a Service.” His presentation focused on how this service can help telcos deploy fiber networks faster and more cost-effectively, meeting the ever-growing demand for high-speed internet.
Security Innovations: Ensuring a Safe Digital Future
As digital transformation accelerates, security remains a top priority for telecom operators. Tsegaye Emmanuel, Chief Information Security Officer of Ethiopia Telecom, delivered a keynote on “Leading Security Innovations for a Secure Future.” He discussed the latest advancements in cybersecurity and the importance of robust security measures to protect digital infrastructure. Tsegaye highlighted how adopting proactive security strategies can foster trust and safeguard both the company and its customers from emerging threats.
Digital Payments: The Future of Financial Inclusion
Beyond telecom, the summit also explored the growing role of digital payments in promoting financial inclusion. Li Zhixian, Senior Director, Alipay+ Payment Tech Services, Ant Group and Chen Yishi, Executive Vice President, Whale Cloud International, gave a fascinating talk on how digital payments can help underserved populations access essential financial services. Their presentation made it clear that digital payments are more than just a convenience—they’re a powerful tool for social change.
One of the most exciting announcements at the summit was the strategic partnership between Whale Cloud and Ant Group. The two companies are teaming up to enhance e-wallet and Super App technologies, which could have a huge impact on how telecom operators offer digital services. Dou Huichang, Director of Payment Group, Whale Cloud International and Gavin Liu, Business Development Head of Wallet Tech, Alipay+, Ant International, explained how this partnership will drive societal digitalization and create new opportunities for both companies and their customers.
The Super App Panel: Redefining Digital Experiences
Super Apps is gaining traction across industries for their ability to offer multiple services in a single platform. The panel discussion on Super App featured industry experts such as Muhammad Salman Sami, Business Development Director at Whale Cloud International, Jaime Andres Tole Clavijo, Corporate Director of Product and Innovation at Claro Colombia, Mei Lee Quah, Director of ICT Research at Frost & Sullivan, and Marcelo Zhou, Chief Business Advisor at Whale Cloud International.
The panelists discussed how Super Apps are transforming the telecom industry by integrating services like payments, e-commerce, and communications into one seamless experience. They explored the challenges and opportunities of developing Super Apps, highlighting their potential to increase user engagement, create new revenue streams, and enhance customer loyalty. The discussion underscored the importance of user-centric design and strategic partnerships in building successful Super Apps.
Cloud Sovereignty: Balancing Innovation and Compliance
Cloud technology is integral to digital transformation, but data sovereignty and compliance are growing concerns. Wu Zhouxi, Head of Cloud Solutions at Whale Cloud, presented on “Local X: Future-Ready Digital Infrastructure,” focusing on the concept of sovereign cloud solutions. These solutions ensure data sovereignty by keeping data within specific jurisdictions, addressing concerns about privacy and regulatory compliance. Wu explained how these cloud solutions help organizations balance data security with the need for innovation.
Whale Cloud's Product Evolution: Embracing the Future
The summit also featured a session on the future direction of Whale Cloud's product portfolio. Xiao Zhengcang, Chief Technology Officer at Whale Cloud International, presented “Moving Forward - Whale Cloud Product Roadmap Evolution.” He shared insights into the company’s strategic vision and upcoming product enhancements, which aim to harness new technologies and address changing market needs. This continuous commitment to product evolution ensures Whale Cloud remains a leader in providing cutting-edge solutions to its customers.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Telecom
From AI and 5G to digital payments and open platforms, the summit showcased the many ways in which technology is transforming the telecom industry. To conclude the summit, Jacky Chen Jiang, Executive Vice President of Whale Cloud International delivered a wrap-up session that highlighted the day's key discussions and insights. The message from the summit was clear: telecom companies need to stay agile, continuously innovate, and forge strategic partnerships to unlock the full potential of digital transformation. With the right approach, the industry is poised for incredible growth, and the Whale Cloud Together Summit gave us a front-row seat to what the future might hold.
