Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Accelerate innovation with AWS and AWS Partner solutions for telcos (TLC202)

Summary

• Tammy Wyman leads partnerships for the global telco industry at AWS.
• The session discusses market opportunities in the telco industry, trusted partners for transformation, partnership models, and AWS's role in telecom.
• AWS's Telco business unit was created in 2019, marking the start of their partnering journey.
• The telco industry is seen as a significant area for investment, with digital transformation being a key focus for CEOs.
• Cloud providers, especially AWS, are preferred partners for telcos' internal and external transformations.
• AWS emphasizes the importance of strategic alignment before product development in partnerships.
• British Telecom (BT) is highlighted as a successful partnership example, with a $500 million agreement with AWS.
• The AWS Partner Network (APN) is the starting point for partnerships, with tiered programs and competencies.
• Samir Voyuru discusses AWS services for telcos, including availability zones, hybrid edge, specialized silicon, and network workloads.
• AWS co-invents with telcos to create value-added services and exposes telco capabilities through APIs.
• AWS has brought a vast ecosystem of partners to the cloud, including BSS, orchestration, and RAN suppliers.
• AWS and partners are infusing generative AI into offerings, aiming to have all partners represented with GenAI.
• The session covers internal transformation, B2B opportunities, and reimagining the consumer experience with AWS and telco partnerships.
• Examples of successful partnerships and innovative services include Globe Telecom, Snowflake, SK Telecom, Lumen, Salesforce, and Optus.
• The session concludes with a call to consider AWS as a strategic asset and to engage in detailed discussions on partnership frameworks.

Insights

• The telco industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with a shift from traditional connectivity services to digital service provision.
• AWS's approach to partnerships in the telco industry is comprehensive, focusing on strategic alignment, product development, and go-to-market strategies.
• The creation of the AWS Telco business unit and the launch of Wavelink service in 2019 were pivotal in accelerating AWS's partnerships in the telco sector.
• CEOs across industries are prioritizing digital transformation, indicating a growing market opportunity for cloud providers and partners in the telco space.
• AWS's framework for partnerships emphasizes the importance of strategy and alignment over product-focused excitement, suggesting a more holistic approach to successful collaborations.
• The AWS Partner Network (APN) serves as a foundational step for organizations looking to partner with AWS, offering a tiered program and various competencies to demonstrate expertise.
• AWS's investment in services like availability zones, hybrid edge, and specialized silicon reflects a commitment to meeting the specific needs of the telco industry.
• The integration of generative AI into partner offerings is a strategic focus for AWS, aiming to enhance the capabilities and services provided by its partners.
• Customer case studies from Globe Telecom, Snowflake, SK Telecom, Lumen, Salesforce, and Optus showcase the diverse and innovative ways telcos are leveraging AWS services to transform their operations and customer experiences.
• The session highlights the importance of telcos and cloud providers working together to create new revenue streams, improve customer loyalty, and address common industry challenges.