Speakers Biographs - Day 1
Sigve Brekke, President and CEO Telenor Group
Sigve Brekke is President and CEO of Telenor Group. Mr. Brekke joined Telenor in 1998 as an Advisor, and was in 1999 employed as Manager Business Development and later Managing Director of Telenor International, Region Asia. Mr. Brekke served as co-Chief Executive Officer of dtac from 2002 to 2005, and Chief Executive Officer in dtac from 2005-2008. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Head of Asia Region, prior to his appointment to President and CEO. Before joining Telenor, Mr. Brekke has served as the State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of Defence in Norway in 1993, and has also held position as an associate at the Center for Science and International Affairs, at Harvard University, USA.
Sigve Brekke is President and CEO of Telenor Group. Mr. Brekke joined Telenor in 1998 as an Advisor, and was in 1999 employed as Manager Business Development and later Managing Director of Telenor International, Region Asia. Mr. Brekke served as co-Chief Executive Officer of dtac from 2002 to 2005, and Chief Executive Officer in dtac from 2005-2008. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Head of Asia Region, prior to his appointment to President and CEO. Before joining Telenor, Mr. Brekke has served as the State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of Defence in Norway in 1993, and has also held position as an associate at the Center for Science and International Affairs, at Harvard University, USA.
Morten Dalsmo is Executive Vice President of SINTEF and Head of SINTEF Digital
SINTEF Digital conducts research and innovation in digital technologies, social sciences, and health. The institute has 430 employees and locations in Trondheim and Oslo. Dalsmo has for over 20 years worked with R&D, deliveries and sales of advanced automation and IT solutions. He joined SINTEF in 2016 leaving a position as Industry Client Leader & Executive in IBM, where he started out as the global leader for IBM’s upstream petroleum business, and later became responsible for a strategic industry client. Before joining IBM, Dalsmo was with ABB for 16 years. First as a scientist and later assistant research manager at ABB Corporate Research AS, then as senior advisor, product manager, section manager and department manager in ABB AS. From 2008 to 2012, Dalsmo headed ABB's Integrated Operations Unit. In 2017 Dalsmo led the steering group for Digital21, which was appointed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Digital21 has outlined a strategy to give Norwegian business and industry a digitalization boost (digital21.no). Dalsmo sits on the board of DigitalNorway - Toppindustrisenteret AS and the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at NTNU. Morten Dalsmo has a doctorate degree in Engineering Cybernetics from NTNU in 1997 and a master's degree in the same field from NTH.
SINTEF Digital conducts research and innovation in digital technologies, social sciences, and health. The institute has 430 employees and locations in Trondheim and Oslo. Dalsmo has for over 20 years worked with R&D, deliveries and sales of advanced automation and IT solutions. He joined SINTEF in 2016 leaving a position as Industry Client Leader & Executive in IBM, where he started out as the global leader for IBM’s upstream petroleum business, and later became responsible for a strategic industry client. Before joining IBM, Dalsmo was with ABB for 16 years. First as a scientist and later assistant research manager at ABB Corporate Research AS, then as senior advisor, product manager, section manager and department manager in ABB AS. From 2008 to 2012, Dalsmo headed ABB's Integrated Operations Unit. In 2017 Dalsmo led the steering group for Digital21, which was appointed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Digital21 has outlined a strategy to give Norwegian business and industry a digitalization boost (digital21.no). Dalsmo sits on the board of DigitalNorway - Toppindustrisenteret AS and the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at NTNU. Morten Dalsmo has a doctorate degree in Engineering Cybernetics from NTNU in 1997 and a master's degree in the same field from NTH.
Erik Ekudden, SVP and Group CTO, Ericsson
As Group CTO, Erik Ekudden is responsible for setting the direction of technology leadership for the Ericsson Group. In 2017 he was re-located to Kista, Sweden, after a nearly seven-year at Ericsson’s Santa Clara, California.
His experience in Silicon Valley will influence the strategic decisions and investments in mobility, distributed cloud, machine intelligence and Internet of Things. This builds on his decades-long career in technology strategies and industry activities.
Ekudden first joined Ericsson in 1993 working on mobile systems, but rapidly moved into leadership within research and development. He has served as research area director and vice president of standardization. During his career, his team created technology and multimedia functionality that are now used in today’s smartphones worldwide. He has worked to create global mobile systems for 3G and 4G in close collaboration with customers. Shortly after 2000, Ekudden headed up a new research area in service layer technologies, spanning management, data and media. This team also conducted some of the first work on virtual and augmented reality for mobile systems.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
As Group CTO, Erik Ekudden is responsible for setting the direction of technology leadership for the Ericsson Group. In 2017 he was re-located to Kista, Sweden, after a nearly seven-year at Ericsson’s Santa Clara, California.
His experience in Silicon Valley will influence the strategic decisions and investments in mobility, distributed cloud, machine intelligence and Internet of Things. This builds on his decades-long career in technology strategies and industry activities.
Ekudden first joined Ericsson in 1993 working on mobile systems, but rapidly moved into leadership within research and development. He has served as research area director and vice president of standardization. During his career, his team created technology and multimedia functionality that are now used in today’s smartphones worldwide. He has worked to create global mobile systems for 3G and 4G in close collaboration with customers. Shortly after 2000, Ekudden headed up a new research area in service layer technologies, spanning management, data and media. This team also conducted some of the first work on virtual and augmented reality for mobile systems.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
Paul Scanlan, CTO, Huawei Technologies
With more than 30 years’ experience in the Telecom and IT industries; he possesses broad experience across most technologies having worked in a variety of senior capacities across Technical, Commercial, Company and Business Management, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Program Management and R&D disciplines. He is an expert in the Business of Telecommunications - managing of all aspects (concept to operations) of Telecommunications Carrier / Service Provider businesses. In the course of his career, he has worked with numerous Fixed and Mobile Operators, vendors, SI and Consulting companies in Asia-Pacific, Africa, North America and Europe.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the Telecom and IT industries; he possesses broad experience across most technologies having worked in a variety of senior capacities across Technical, Commercial, Company and Business Management, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Program Management and R&D disciplines. He is an expert in the Business of Telecommunications - managing of all aspects (concept to operations) of Telecommunications Carrier / Service Provider businesses. In the course of his career, he has worked with numerous Fixed and Mobile Operators, vendors, SI and Consulting companies in Asia-Pacific, Africa, North America and Europe.
Professor Matti Latva-aho, Oulu University, Finland
Matti Latva-aho received the M.Sc., Lic.Tech. and Dr. Tech (Hons.) degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oulu, Finland in 1992, 1996 and 1998, respectively. From 1992 to 1993, he was a Research Engineer at Nokia Mobile Phones, Oulu, Finland after which he joined Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) at the University of Oulu. Prof. Latva-aho was Director of CWC during the years 1998-2006 and Head of Department for Communication Engineering until August 2014. Currently he serves as Academy of Finland Professor in 2017 – 2022 and is Director for National 6G Flagship Programme for 2018 - 2026. His research interests are related to mobile broadband communication systems and currently his group focuses on beyond 5G systems research. Prof. Latva-aho has published close to 500 conference or journal papers in the field of wireless communications. He received Nokia Foundation Award in 2015 for his achievements in mobile communications research.
Matti Latva-aho received the M.Sc., Lic.Tech. and Dr. Tech (Hons.) degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oulu, Finland in 1992, 1996 and 1998, respectively. From 1992 to 1993, he was a Research Engineer at Nokia Mobile Phones, Oulu, Finland after which he joined Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) at the University of Oulu. Prof. Latva-aho was Director of CWC during the years 1998-2006 and Head of Department for Communication Engineering until August 2014. Currently he serves as Academy of Finland Professor in 2017 – 2022 and is Director for National 6G Flagship Programme for 2018 - 2026. His research interests are related to mobile broadband communication systems and currently his group focuses on beyond 5G systems research. Prof. Latva-aho has published close to 500 conference or journal papers in the field of wireless communications. He received Nokia Foundation Award in 2015 for his achievements in mobile communications research.
Ruza Sabanovic, EVP and Head of Technologies & Services, Telenor Group
Ruza Sabanovic, born 1971, joined the green field operations in Telenor Montenegro in 1996. Since 2014 she was SVP Technology and Industrialized projects, part of the Group Industrialized Development team. She has previously served as Chief Operating Officer in Telenor India and was also heading Group network function and Group CTO forum. From 1994-2008 Ruza served as the assistant professor at the Civil Engineering Faculty University of Montenegro. Ruza Sabanovic holds a Master of Civil Engineering, Technology, from University Belgrade, Serbia.
Ruza Sabanovic, born 1971, joined the green field operations in Telenor Montenegro in 1996. Since 2014 she was SVP Technology and Industrialized projects, part of the Group Industrialized Development team. She has previously served as Chief Operating Officer in Telenor India and was also heading Group network function and Group CTO forum. From 1994-2008 Ruza served as the assistant professor at the Civil Engineering Faculty University of Montenegro. Ruza Sabanovic holds a Master of Civil Engineering, Technology, from University Belgrade, Serbia.
Dr. Yue Wang, Principal 5G Researcher, Network AI Research Lead, Samsung UK
She is the Samsung delegate of ETSI ISG ENI (Experiential Networked Intelligence), and the Secretary and Rapporteur of ENI. She also sits in Industry Advisory Board of King’s College of London and University of Sussex, and is an industry supervisor of a five year programme on AI for 5G and beyond. Prior to joining Samsung, she held various roles in the US and the UK, and has worked on a number of technical subjects in wireless communications research and standards. Yue received her Ph.D. from University of Victoria, Canada.
She is the Samsung delegate of ETSI ISG ENI (Experiential Networked Intelligence), and the Secretary and Rapporteur of ENI. She also sits in Industry Advisory Board of King’s College of London and University of Sussex, and is an industry supervisor of a five year programme on AI for 5G and beyond. Prior to joining Samsung, she held various roles in the US and the UK, and has worked on a number of technical subjects in wireless communications research and standards. Yue received her Ph.D. from University of Victoria, Canada.
Florian Leeder, VP Market Segment Mobile Network testing
Florian joined Rohde & Schwarz in 2019 where he is responsible for the long-term development of the market segment Mobile Network Testing. Before that, he was working 20 years at SIGOS, a leading supplier for test and monitoring solutions covering different leadership positions in business development, product management and sales.
Florian has a wide experience in the domain of testing mobile networks from 2G to 5G and NB IoT. He was also the main driver for the worldwide first cloud testing offering for roaming services. He studied in Germany and Italy and is holding a university degree in political science from the University of Bamberg.
Florian joined Rohde & Schwarz in 2019 where he is responsible for the long-term development of the market segment Mobile Network Testing. Before that, he was working 20 years at SIGOS, a leading supplier for test and monitoring solutions covering different leadership positions in business development, product management and sales.
Florian has a wide experience in the domain of testing mobile networks from 2G to 5G and NB IoT. He was also the main driver for the worldwide first cloud testing offering for roaming services. He studied in Germany and Italy and is holding a university degree in political science from the University of Bamberg.
Prof. Merouane Debbah, Director, Mathematical and Algorithmic Sciences Lab, Huawei
Mérouane Debbah received the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, France. He was with Motorola Labs, Saclay, France, from 1999 to 2002, and also with the Vienna Research Center for Telecommunications, Vienna, Austria, until 2003. From 2003 to 2007, he was an Assistant Professor with the Mobile Communications Department, Institut Eurecom, Sophia Antipolis, France. In 2007, he was appointed Full Professor at CentraleSupelec, Gif-sur-Yvette, France. From 2007 to 2014, he was the Director of the Alcatel-Lucent Chair on Flexible Radio. Since 2014, he joined Huawei and is jointly the director of the Mathematical and Algorithmic Sciences Lab as well as the director of the Lagrange Mathematical and Computing Research Center. He has managed 8 EU projects and more than 24 national and international projects. His research interests lie in fundamental mathematics, algorithms, statistics, information, and communication sciences research. He is an IEEE Fellow, a WWRF Fellow, and a Membre émérite SEE. He was a recipient of the ERC Grant MORE (Advanced Mathematical Tools for Complex Network Engineering) from 2012 to 2017. He was a recipient of the Mario Boella Award in 2005, the IEEE Glavieux Prize Award in 2011, the Qualcomm Innovation Prize Award in 2012 and the 2019 IEEE Radio Communications Committee Technical Recognition Award. He received 20 best paper awards in major IEEE Conferences and Journals.
Mérouane Debbah received the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, France. He was with Motorola Labs, Saclay, France, from 1999 to 2002, and also with the Vienna Research Center for Telecommunications, Vienna, Austria, until 2003. From 2003 to 2007, he was an Assistant Professor with the Mobile Communications Department, Institut Eurecom, Sophia Antipolis, France. In 2007, he was appointed Full Professor at CentraleSupelec, Gif-sur-Yvette, France. From 2007 to 2014, he was the Director of the Alcatel-Lucent Chair on Flexible Radio. Since 2014, he joined Huawei and is jointly the director of the Mathematical and Algorithmic Sciences Lab as well as the director of the Lagrange Mathematical and Computing Research Center. He has managed 8 EU projects and more than 24 national and international projects. His research interests lie in fundamental mathematics, algorithms, statistics, information, and communication sciences research. He is an IEEE Fellow, a WWRF Fellow, and a Membre émérite SEE. He was a recipient of the ERC Grant MORE (Advanced Mathematical Tools for Complex Network Engineering) from 2012 to 2017. He was a recipient of the Mario Boella Award in 2005, the IEEE Glavieux Prize Award in 2011, the Qualcomm Innovation Prize Award in 2012 and the 2019 IEEE Radio Communications Committee Technical Recognition Award. He received 20 best paper awards in major IEEE Conferences and Journals.
Dr. Poul Heegaard, Professor, Information Security and Communication, NTNU
Poul Heegaard received the Dr.Ing. (Ph.D.) degree from NTNU in 1998. He has since 2010 been a Professor with the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology at NTNU, where he was the Head of the Department from 2009 to 2013, and now he is heading the Networking Research Group. He has also been a Senior Researcher at both SINTEF Digital and Telenor. He is currently a Principal Investigator with the Centre for Intelligent Electricity Distribution, a Centre for Environment-Friendly Energy Research, where he is responsible for ICT solutions for smart grid operation. His research interests include performance, dependability and survivability assessment, with focus on communication networks (such as 5G, NFV, and SDN) and services, and communication system as part of a digital ecosystem, including interaction with other critical infrastructures (such as smart grid). He is an experiences lecturer and speaker, and the author of more than 100 publications in highly ranked journals, conferences and books.
Poul Heegaard received the Dr.Ing. (Ph.D.) degree from NTNU in 1998. He has since 2010 been a Professor with the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology at NTNU, where he was the Head of the Department from 2009 to 2013, and now he is heading the Networking Research Group. He has also been a Senior Researcher at both SINTEF Digital and Telenor. He is currently a Principal Investigator with the Centre for Intelligent Electricity Distribution, a Centre for Environment-Friendly Energy Research, where he is responsible for ICT solutions for smart grid operation. His research interests include performance, dependability and survivability assessment, with focus on communication networks (such as 5G, NFV, and SDN) and services, and communication system as part of a digital ecosystem, including interaction with other critical infrastructures (such as smart grid). He is an experiences lecturer and speaker, and the author of more than 100 publications in highly ranked journals, conferences and books.
Pål Grønsund, Senior Research Scientist, Telenor Research
Dr. Pål Grønsund is a Research Scientist at Telenor currently doing research towards 5G with a main focus on NFV, SDN, Cloud and Network Slicing. He participates in several international research projects, and is Vice Chair in the Open Source MANO (OSM) project. He holds deep experience in Cloud implementation projects. Pål is an experienced speaker and takes part in academic and commercial conferences as well as other venues. He is the author of several publications in highly ranked journals, conferences and books.
Dr. Pål Grønsund is a Research Scientist at Telenor currently doing research towards 5G with a main focus on NFV, SDN, Cloud and Network Slicing. He participates in several international research projects, and is Vice Chair in the Open Source MANO (OSM) project. He holds deep experience in Cloud implementation projects. Pål is an experienced speaker and takes part in academic and commercial conferences as well as other venues. He is the author of several publications in highly ranked journals, conferences and books.
Kennet Nomeland, Radio System Architect, Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency
Kennet Nomeland works as a Radio System Architect in the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency - CIS Division. The Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Division helps ensure that the Norwegian Armed Forces have well-functioning, relevant and up-to-date CIS solutions, and has overall responsibility for CIS in Norway’s armed forces. Nomeland´s department is responsible for the management and development of tactical and strategic radio systems, satellite, fibre, and network infrastructure. Kennet has an extensive experience in the telecom industry. He is coordinating military use of 5G for the Norwegian Defence.
Kennet Nomeland works as a Radio System Architect in the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency - CIS Division. The Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Division helps ensure that the Norwegian Armed Forces have well-functioning, relevant and up-to-date CIS solutions, and has overall responsibility for CIS in Norway’s armed forces. Nomeland´s department is responsible for the management and development of tactical and strategic radio systems, satellite, fibre, and network infrastructure. Kennet has an extensive experience in the telecom industry. He is coordinating military use of 5G for the Norwegian Defence.
Speakers Biographs - Day 2
Bjørn Taale Sandberg, Head of Telenor Research, Telenor Group
Bjørn Taale Sandberg Joined Telenor in 2000 and is Senior Vice President and head of Telenor Research. Previous to his current assignment he served as CEO of AeroMobile Ltd, based in the UK, Chief Marketing Officer in Telenor Pakistan and head of Strategy for Telenor Mobile Communications. Bjørn Taale Sandberg holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Oslo and a Master of Management from Oslo Business School.
Bjørn Taale Sandberg Joined Telenor in 2000 and is Senior Vice President and head of Telenor Research. Previous to his current assignment he served as CEO of AeroMobile Ltd, based in the UK, Chief Marketing Officer in Telenor Pakistan and head of Strategy for Telenor Mobile Communications. Bjørn Taale Sandberg holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Oslo and a Master of Management from Oslo Business School.
Ingeborg Øfsthus is CTO of Telenor Norway
She has been with the Telenor Group since 2008. She has broad international experience from management positions in Germany, Thailand, Montenegro and Serbia. In Serbia she held the position of CEO until she arrived at her current position. Ingeborg holds a M.Sc. in Electronics from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
She has been with the Telenor Group since 2008. She has broad international experience from management positions in Germany, Thailand, Montenegro and Serbia. In Serbia she held the position of CEO until she arrived at her current position. Ingeborg holds a M.Sc. in Electronics from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
John-Eivind Velure, Director Norwegian Communications Authority
John-Eivind Velure is Director of the Spectrum Department at the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom). His educational background is from NTNU where he studied electronics and telecommunications. He has long experience in the field of spectrum management, both on national and international level. One of the current main tasks for the Spectrum Department is planning the spectrum awards for 5G in Norway.
John-Eivind Velure is Director of the Spectrum Department at the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom). His educational background is from NTNU where he studied electronics and telecommunications. He has long experience in the field of spectrum management, both on national and international level. One of the current main tasks for the Spectrum Department is planning the spectrum awards for 5G in Norway.
Hans-Bjarne Claussen, VP Digital Lead Industrial Automation Division of ABB
Hans-Bjarne has been working in the electronics industry for more than 30 years, and his experience ranges from electronic development, electronic production, network design, safety systems and electrical control systems. Within ABB he has had roles within sales, R&D and various management roles. Hans-Bjarne is currently the Digital Lead for ABB’s Energy Industries in Northern Europe.
Hans-Bjarne has been working in the electronics industry for more than 30 years, and his experience ranges from electronic development, electronic production, network design, safety systems and electrical control systems. Within ABB he has had roles within sales, R&D and various management roles. Hans-Bjarne is currently the Digital Lead for ABB’s Energy Industries in Northern Europe.
Hanne-Stine Hallingby, Research Scientist, Telenor Research
Hanne-Stine Hallingby is a business economist and a long time Telenor employee as a researcher, consultant and project manager. She is about to complete her industrial PhD in innovation at University of Oslo, applying a social scientist perspective on technology development. Drawing on cases from the mobile telecommunication sector, she has studied key characteristics and assumptions for platform ecosystems, how they emerge, and the constitution and significance of open platform interfaces. These learnings she now intends to apply on the 5G ecosystem.
Hanne-Stine Hallingby is a business economist and a long time Telenor employee as a researcher, consultant and project manager. She is about to complete her industrial PhD in innovation at University of Oslo, applying a social scientist perspective on technology development. Drawing on cases from the mobile telecommunication sector, she has studied key characteristics and assumptions for platform ecosystems, how they emerge, and the constitution and significance of open platform interfaces. These learnings she now intends to apply on the 5G ecosystem.
Thanh van Do, PhD, Fellow, Telenor Research
Prof. Dr. Do Van Thanh obtained his MSc in Electronic and Computer Sciences from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and his PhD in Informatics from the University of Oslo. In 1991 he joined Ericsson R&D Department in Oslo after 7 years of R&D at Norsk Data, a minicomputer manufacturer in Oslo. In 2000 he joined Telenor R&D and has been working with a variety fields such as distributed computing, mobile service personalisation, mobile commerce, privacy and security. He is now at the Telenor Research and in charge of Cyber security, Identity Management and SIM research activities. He has been project leader of multiple EU research projects and member of multiple conference technical committees. He is also professor at the Department of Computer Science at the Oslo Metropolitan University. He is author of over 200 publications at international conferences and journals. He is also inventor of 22 patents.
Prof. Dr. Do Van Thanh obtained his MSc in Electronic and Computer Sciences from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and his PhD in Informatics from the University of Oslo. In 1991 he joined Ericsson R&D Department in Oslo after 7 years of R&D at Norsk Data, a minicomputer manufacturer in Oslo. In 2000 he joined Telenor R&D and has been working with a variety fields such as distributed computing, mobile service personalisation, mobile commerce, privacy and security. He is now at the Telenor Research and in charge of Cyber security, Identity Management and SIM research activities. He has been project leader of multiple EU research projects and member of multiple conference technical committees. He is also professor at the Department of Computer Science at the Oslo Metropolitan University. He is author of over 200 publications at international conferences and journals. He is also inventor of 22 patents.
Dr. Ravishankar Borgaonkar, Research Scientist, SINTEF Digital and associate professor at the University of Stavanger
He holds a Ph.D. in telecommunication security area from Technischen Universität Berlin, Germany. At SINTEF Digital, he researches securing next-generation digital communication and his primary research themes are related to mobile telecommunication and involved security threats. This ranges from 2G/3G/4G/5G network security to end-user device security. He has extensive experience in security architecture, vulnerability analysis, and cybersecurity as a researcher (University of Oxford (UK), Deutsche Telekom's T-Labs (Germany), and Intel Collaborative Research Institute for Secure Computing at Aalto University (Finland)), focusing lately on securing 5G enabled use-cases.
With a great interest in offensive research methodologies, Ravi is best known for
the discovery of several protocol flaws in 3G/4G/5G technologies (affecting billions of devices) and assisted in shaping the existing 3G/4G and upcoming 5G security standards designed by the 3GPP international telecommunication standard body. Ravi gave over 30 talks at leading hacking/industry/academic conferences and his work is regularly covered by major news outlets including the BBC, Washington Post, Wired, Forbes, the Huffington Post, and Independent.
He holds a Ph.D. in telecommunication security area from Technischen Universität Berlin, Germany. At SINTEF Digital, he researches securing next-generation digital communication and his primary research themes are related to mobile telecommunication and involved security threats. This ranges from 2G/3G/4G/5G network security to end-user device security. He has extensive experience in security architecture, vulnerability analysis, and cybersecurity as a researcher (University of Oxford (UK), Deutsche Telekom's T-Labs (Germany), and Intel Collaborative Research Institute for Secure Computing at Aalto University (Finland)), focusing lately on securing 5G enabled use-cases.
With a great interest in offensive research methodologies, Ravi is best known for
the discovery of several protocol flaws in 3G/4G/5G technologies (affecting billions of devices) and assisted in shaping the existing 3G/4G and upcoming 5G security standards designed by the 3GPP international telecommunication standard body. Ravi gave over 30 talks at leading hacking/industry/academic conferences and his work is regularly covered by major news outlets including the BBC, Washington Post, Wired, Forbes, the Huffington Post, and Independent.
Dr. Silke Holtmanns, Head of 5G Security Research at AdaptiveMobile Security
She holds a PhD in mathematics and has 20 years of experience in telecommunication security. She is has presented at conferences like Blackhat or Defcon, but also advises governments on how to secure critical infrastructure.
She holds a PhD in mathematics and has 20 years of experience in telecommunication security. She is has presented at conferences like Blackhat or Defcon, but also advises governments on how to secure critical infrastructure.
Dr. Luis Barriga, Principal Researcher, Ericsson Research
He is team leader of the ML/AI & security group that conducts applied research in machine learning (ML) for telecom use cases related to botnets, fraud, IoT, adversarial ML and confidential computing. Luis holds a PhD in Computer Systems from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, and a MSc. in Computer Science from St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University, Russia. He joined Ericsson in 1997 and he has held positions in research, development, innovation, business development and customer projects. He also worked for a start-up designing solutions for global compliance in the cloud.
He is team leader of the ML/AI & security group that conducts applied research in machine learning (ML) for telecom use cases related to botnets, fraud, IoT, adversarial ML and confidential computing. Luis holds a PhD in Computer Systems from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, and a MSc. in Computer Science from St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University, Russia. He joined Ericsson in 1997 and he has held positions in research, development, innovation, business development and customer projects. He also worked for a start-up designing solutions for global compliance in the cloud.
Per Hjalmar Lehne, Senior Researcher in Telenor
He received his MSc from the Norwegian Institute of Science and Technology (NTH) in 1988. He has since been with Telenor working with different aspects of terrestrial mobile communications. His work since 1993 has been in the area of radio propagation and radio access technologies, especially on multiple antenna systems and radio access technologies for mobile and wireless. He has also been engaged in spectrum management techniques and cognitive radio research. He is participating in several international research projects in the EU framework. His current interest is in 5G radio access and massive MIMO systems, as well as 5G evolution towards 6G.
He received his MSc from the Norwegian Institute of Science and Technology (NTH) in 1988. He has since been with Telenor working with different aspects of terrestrial mobile communications. His work since 1993 has been in the area of radio propagation and radio access technologies, especially on multiple antenna systems and radio access technologies for mobile and wireless. He has also been engaged in spectrum management techniques and cognitive radio research. He is participating in several international research projects in the EU framework. His current interest is in 5G radio access and massive MIMO systems, as well as 5G evolution towards 6G.
Dr. Wen Tong, Head of Huawei Wireless Research
He is responsible for the Huawei global wireless technologies research and standardizations. In 2011, Dr. Tong was appointed the Head of Communications Technologies Labs of Huawei, currently, he is the Huawei 5G chief scientist and leads Huawei’s 10-year-long 5G wireless technologies research and development.
Prior to joining Huawei in 2009, Dr. Tong was the Nortel Fellow and head of the Network Technology Labs at Nortel. He joined the Wireless Technology Labs at Bell Northern Research in 1995 in Canada.
Dr. Tong was elected as a Huawei Fellow and an IEEE Fellow. He was the recipient of IEEE Communications Society Industry Innovation Award in 2014, and Distinguished Industry Leader Award in 2018. He is also the recipient of R.A. Fessenden Medal in 2020. For the past three decades, he had pioneered fundamental technologies from 1G to 5G wireless with more than 450 granted US patents.
Dr. Tong is a Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering, he serves as Board of Director of WiFi Alliance. He is based in Ottawa, Canada.
He is responsible for the Huawei global wireless technologies research and standardizations. In 2011, Dr. Tong was appointed the Head of Communications Technologies Labs of Huawei, currently, he is the Huawei 5G chief scientist and leads Huawei’s 10-year-long 5G wireless technologies research and development.
Prior to joining Huawei in 2009, Dr. Tong was the Nortel Fellow and head of the Network Technology Labs at Nortel. He joined the Wireless Technology Labs at Bell Northern Research in 1995 in Canada.
Dr. Tong was elected as a Huawei Fellow and an IEEE Fellow. He was the recipient of IEEE Communications Society Industry Innovation Award in 2014, and Distinguished Industry Leader Award in 2018. He is also the recipient of R.A. Fessenden Medal in 2020. For the past three decades, he had pioneered fundamental technologies from 1G to 5G wireless with more than 450 granted US patents.
Dr. Tong is a Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering, he serves as Board of Director of WiFi Alliance. He is based in Ottawa, Canada.
Dr. Magnus Frodigh, Vice President and Head of Ericsson Research
Dr. Frodigh has been Head of Ericsson Research since 2018 and he was Research Area Director for Network Architecture and Protocols at Ericsson Research from 2007 to 2018.
Dr. Frodigh joined Ericsson in 1994 and has since held various key senior positions within Research & Development and Product Management, focusing on 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technologies, and expanding collaborations between with both academia and industries. He holds 29 patents. Dr. Frodigh was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1964. He holds a Master of Science degree from Linköping University of Technology, Sweden and earned his Ph.D. in Radio Communication Systems from Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
Dr Frodigh is adjunct Professor at Royal Institute of Technology in Wireless Infrastructures since 2013.
Dr. Frodigh has been Head of Ericsson Research since 2018 and he was Research Area Director for Network Architecture and Protocols at Ericsson Research from 2007 to 2018.
Dr. Frodigh joined Ericsson in 1994 and has since held various key senior positions within Research & Development and Product Management, focusing on 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technologies, and expanding collaborations between with both academia and industries. He holds 29 patents. Dr. Frodigh was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1964. He holds a Master of Science degree from Linköping University of Technology, Sweden and earned his Ph.D. in Radio Communication Systems from Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
Dr Frodigh is adjunct Professor at Royal Institute of Technology in Wireless Infrastructures since 2013.
Dr Alain Mourad, Director Engineering R&D at InterDigital Labs, UK
Prior to joining InterDigital, Dr Mourad was a Principal Researcher at Samsung Electronics R&D (UK) and previously a Senior Researcher at Mitsubishi Electric R&D Centre Europe (France). He is a prolific inventor with over 50 issued patents and a thought leader with numerous talks and publications. He received the Inventor of the Year Award from Samsung Electronics R&D in 2012 and 2013, InterDigital Innovation Awards in 2016 and 2018, and the 2018 Global Telecoms Awards “Highly Commended” in the category “Advancing the road to 5G”.
Prior to joining InterDigital, Dr Mourad was a Principal Researcher at Samsung Electronics R&D (UK) and previously a Senior Researcher at Mitsubishi Electric R&D Centre Europe (France). He is a prolific inventor with over 50 issued patents and a thought leader with numerous talks and publications. He received the Inventor of the Year Award from Samsung Electronics R&D in 2012 and 2013, InterDigital Innovation Awards in 2016 and 2018, and the 2018 Global Telecoms Awards “Highly Commended” in the category “Advancing the road to 5G”.
Colin Willcock, Chairman of the board 5G Infrastructure Association and Nokia
Colin Willcock is the chairman of the board of the 5G Infrastructure Association. Colin graduated from the University of Sheffield, UK, with a B.Sc in Phyiscs in 1986, an MSc. In Astronomical Technology from the University of Edinburgh in 1987 and a Ph.D. in Parallel Computation from the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1992. Dr. Willcock joined Nokia in 1999, and is currently Head of Radio Network Standardization. He has participated extensively in standardization activities at ETSI, ITU-T and 3GPP, and also has extensive experience of European research having led a number of European projects.
Colin Willcock is the chairman of the board of the 5G Infrastructure Association. Colin graduated from the University of Sheffield, UK, with a B.Sc in Phyiscs in 1986, an MSc. In Astronomical Technology from the University of Edinburgh in 1987 and a Ph.D. in Parallel Computation from the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1992. Dr. Willcock joined Nokia in 1999, and is currently Head of Radio Network Standardization. He has participated extensively in standardization activities at ETSI, ITU-T and 3GPP, and also has extensive experience of European research having led a number of European projects.
Dr. Walid Saad, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech
He received his Ph.D degree from the University of Oslo in 2010. He is currently a Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech, where he leads the Network sciEnce, Wireless, and Security (NEWS) laboratory. His research interests include wireless networks, machine learning, game theory, security, unmanned aerial vehicles, cyber-physical systems, and network science. Dr. Saad is a Fellow of the IEEE and an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer. Dr. Saad was named College of Engineering Faculty Fellow in 2017. He received the Dean's award for Research Excellence from Virginia Tech in 2019. He currently serves as an editor for the IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, and IEEE Transactions on Cognitive Communications and Networking. He is an Editor-at-Large for the IEEE Transactions on Communications.
He received his Ph.D degree from the University of Oslo in 2010. He is currently a Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech, where he leads the Network sciEnce, Wireless, and Security (NEWS) laboratory. His research interests include wireless networks, machine learning, game theory, security, unmanned aerial vehicles, cyber-physical systems, and network science. Dr. Saad is a Fellow of the IEEE and an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer. Dr. Saad was named College of Engineering Faculty Fellow in 2017. He received the Dean's award for Research Excellence from Virginia Tech in 2019. He currently serves as an editor for the IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, and IEEE Transactions on Cognitive Communications and Networking. He is an Editor-at-Large for the IEEE Transactions on Communications.