Future Imperatives for India’s Service Providers: AIOps and Sustainability in 2024 and Beyond

By Vivek Kalra

In the dynamic landscape of 2024, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) is no longer a discretionary choice for India’s telco and cloud service providers; it is an indispensable necessity that is poised to redefine the competitive edge of organizations. As networks evolve into intricate ecosystems, the ability to manage and optimize them in real-time becomes a make-or-break factor for business success. AIOps emerges as the transformative force that shifts service providers from reactive problem-solving to proactive, strategic operations, ensuring unparalleled user experiences.

Amidst this shift, industry experts predict a paradigm change. Dual vendor SASE is set to dominate the networking landscape as enterprises seek to reconcile security and networking requirements, marking a strategic move in navigating a rapidly evolving technological marketplace.

The ascendancy of AIOps is particularly crucial in the realm of the Indian telecom industry, where unprecedented complexities in network management demand innovative solutions. Service providers teams bereft of AI assistance risk being overwhelmed by the sheer volume and speed of data, unable to meet the ever-increasing demands of a digitalized world. AIOps becomes the linchpin, empowering service providers to not just troubleshoot network problems but to revolutionize the entire operational paradigm.

The impact of AIOps on end-user experience cannot be overstated. By anticipating and addressing issues before they escalate, AIOps ensures a seamless and uninterrupted digital journey for users. This proactive approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also becomes a strategic differentiator in a market where customer satisfaction is paramount.

However, the paradigm shift towards AIOps is not the only transformative force in the near future. In tandem with technological advancements, there is a burgeoning emphasis on sustainability that is poised to reshape the landscape of purchasing decisions in the Indian telecom industry.

Regulatory mandates in India are set to deepen, particularly in the telecom sector, requiring suppliers to unequivocally demonstrate the energy efficiency and eco-friendliness of their products. It’s no longer sufficient for solutions to be merely functional; they must align with environmental and ethical considerations. This shift places suppliers who cannot showcase the sustainability of their products at a significant disadvantage in the highly competitive market.

In this context, energy efficiency emerges as a pivotal criterion for purchasing decisions. As energy costs surge and AI technologies become more performance-intensive, the industry is compelled to optimize power and space utilization. This imperative goes beyond mere compliance; it becomes a strategic necessity to ensure that products align with the evolving needs of environmentally conscious service providers.

Moreover, circularity, a foundational principle of sustainable practices, is poised to shape the evolution of network technology in India. The reduction of harmful materials, the incorporation of recycled content, and the extension of product life cycles will be integral considerations in procurement and operational practices. The concept of ‘green networking’ will transcend rhetoric, becoming a tangible benchmark against which businesses and their supply chains will be measured.

In this landscape, businesses will be held accountable not just to regulatory benchmarks but to standards aligned with scientific understanding, ensuring authentic contributions to global sustainability efforts. The adoption of sustainable practices will no longer be a PR exercise but a core aspect of corporate responsibility.

As enterprises navigate the dual challenges of technological evolution and environmental consciousness, the convergence of AIOps and sustainability emerges as a strategic imperative. The symbiotic relationship between these two forces creates a holistic approach to enterprise management, where technological efficiency aligns seamlessly with environmental stewardship.

As we step into 2024, AIOps and sustainability are not mere trends but integral components of a resilient and future-ready enterprise. Service providers that harness the power of AIOps to transform operations and embrace sustainability as a core value will not only thrive in the competitive marketplace but will also contribute meaningfully to the broader goals of global sustainability. The confluence of technological innovation and ethical responsibility is not just a choice; it is the cornerstone of corporate resilience and longevity in the evolving landscape of Indian telecom service providers.

(The author is Vivek Kalra, Director & Head Telecom Business, India & SAARC, Juniper Networks, and the views expressed in this article are his own)