Bristol, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/11/2010 -- 2010 so far has been un-momentous in the telecoms industry, but this is about to change if we are to believe the latest news from the NGT NA summit hosted by GDS International.

The senior executives gathered to develop a vision on the key steps needed to capture new markets and revenues. The meeting was moderated by Melanie Posey – Research Director Telecom Markets, IDC. Key points discussed focused on the future of cloud computing; hype, opportunity, or disintermediation? Customer experience and the role of portals: delivering customer satisfaction, reducing costs, and managing customer expectations and telecoms regulation.

As expected Cloud Computing was a talking point among the majority of attendees. Cloud is set to transform the way we do business; the opportunity it offers to business provides endless possibilities, surmised the executives who also discussed in detail the need to upgrade fibre-based networks, increasing the speed and quality of delivery to the consumer.

“Everybody wants a piece of the cloud - hardware, software, IT outsourcers, telecom carriers, and cloud-native X-as-a-service providers are all jostling for position in this emerging (and in some ways, ill-defined) arena.” Joe Weinman – VP Strategy & Business Development, AT&T

Given the myriad of challenges Telco’s face to their core businesses, they cannot allow themselves to be left out of the industry discussion. They must get on the cloud bus or risk being thrown under it. This is understood by representatives at AT&T Business Solutions - Joe Weinman, VP Global Portfolio Strategy & Business Development, Cox Communications - Dan Estes, Executive Director of Business Operations & Engineering, Global Crossing - Adam Uzelac, Director of Converged Network Architecture & Engineering, Pac-West Telecomm - Mike Hawn, SVP Sales, Sprint Nextel - Danny Bowman, President – Integrated Solutions Group, T-Mobile - Jim Zerbe, Director Product Development, Virgin Mobile USA - Dan Acton, Chief Information & Technology Officer .

The good news is that for once in almost 30 years, software is changing. No longer are you stuck with simply new features using outdated technology. You now have an alternative technology solution. But as is the case with most drastic business change the consumer will be the driving force.