Roundtable: Securing Telecommunications for the Quantum Era
· 10:45 – 12:30 Amsterdam time · Room F (6&7)
Telecommunications networks carry the traffic that every other sector's post-quantum migration depends on, and they are among the hardest systems to change. Network equipment, SIM and eSIM platforms, and roaming and interconnect agreements run on long lifecycles and span many operators, vendors, and standards bodies. Industry guidance, including the GSMA's post-quantum telco work and ongoing 3GPP and IETF standardization, now gives operators a common starting point. The open question is how to turn that guidance into concrete plans across shared infrastructure.
This roundtable brings together mobile and fixed operators, network and SIM vendors, standards contributors, and regulators for a working discussion rather than a series of presentations. After a short introduction from the moderator, participants will work through where operators are starting in practice: cryptographic inventory across the network, protection of signaling and management interfaces, subscriber identity and SIM provisioning, and the IoT estates that will outlive today's algorithms.
The discussion will give particular attention to the dependencies no single operator can resolve alone, from roaming and interconnect partners to equipment vendors and the timing of standards. It will also cover what operators need from regulators to keep national and cross-border migration aligned.
The main conclusions will feed into a brief recap during the conference's closing session.
Speakers
Lory Thorpe
Moderator- quantum safe strategy advisor · IBM
Lory Thorpe is an executive technology leader and board advisor with more than 20 years of experience shaping the strategy, commercialisation and adoption of emerging technologies across global industries. Her expertise spans advanced connectivity and communication, quantum readiness, cybersecurity, and deep tech, with a proven track record of leading innovation from research and incubation through to market adoption and industry-scale deployment, bridging the gap between breakthrough innovation and commercial outcomes. As a Senior Strategy Advisor within IBM, Lory leads the Quantum Safe agenda for industries, helping organisations prepare for the risks and opportunities of the quantum era. She is the Chair of the GSMA Post Quantum Telco Network Task Force, the first global telecom industry forum dedicated to post-quantum cryptography adoption, driving industry collaboration on quantum readiness and security. With a background in engineering and cybersecurity, Lory is a recognised speaker on emerging technologies, innovation and quantum readiness. She is passionate about responsible innovation and a champion for diversity in STEM.
Luke Ibbetson
Moderator- Group R&D Director · Vodafone
Luke Ibbetson leads the Vodafone Group Research and Development organisation, fostering the adoption of disruptive and emerging technologies for the benefit of customers, efficiency and growth. A telco industry professional with 30 years of experience, Luke is currently shaping Vodafone's thinking on Quantum technology, 6G, non-terrestrial networks, vehicle autonomy and advanced AI/ML. Luke is Chair of the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Board Strategy Committee, Vice Chair of GSMA Post Quantum Telco Networks Task Force, and Chairman of the TechWorks Board and serves as main Board member for the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), AST Space Mobile, and several venture backed technology companies. Luke is a proud pioneer of low power wide area IoT and a passionate supporter of innovative thinking.
Attendance
Open session · first come, first served
Saving interest does not reserve a seat. Admission remains first come, first served.
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