Scaling networks as software, not infrastructure: A live discussion

“Automation was not a feature. It was the operating model.”

As networks grow larger and more complex, simply adding infrastructure is no longer a sustainable path. The question facing operators now is how to scale control, efficiency and adaptability without constantly rebuilding the network.

On today’s episode of Zero-Touch Live, Geoff Hollingworth was joined by Rakuten Symphony SVP of Technology Devesh Gautam to discuss what it actually takes to manage networks as software systems. The conversation drew on Devesh’s experience building greenfield networks at Jio and Rakuten Mobile.

📺 Watch the replay below now.

A new strategy for scale

Throughout the discussion, Geoff and Devesh explored key architectural and organizational decisions that support software-led scale:

• Four key foundations. Devesh explained that Rakuten Mobile was built on virtualization and microservices, automation from day zero, full telemetry access across every component and self-managed operations.
• Automation must be paired with data and decomposition. Automation without telemetry becomes blind. Telemetry without microservices traps insight in monoliths. The value emerged only when all three worked together as a system.
• Operator control is critical. Rather than adapting operations to vendor constraints, Rakuten Mobile defined how the network would run and required ecosystem partners to align to that design.
• Scale followed architecture, not headcount. Devesh noted that a relatively small operations team now manages tens of thousands of sites and hundreds of applications because the operating model was designed for software control from the start.

"The operators who succeed are not observing everything perfectly. They are the ones willing to change, acknowledge skills gaps and align from leadership to execution.”

👉 Watch the full conversation to hear how these principles were applied in practice and what they mean for operators planning their next phase of network evolution.

‍