Building the Skills for Autonomy

Luqman Shantal is the CEO and Founder of Makman Technology Consulting. Under his leadership, Makman received the TM Forum Excellence Award in 2021 and four TM Forum Catalyst awards in 2024. With over 18 years of international experience in enterprise software, systems engineering, architecture, and management consulting, Luqman serves as a trusted advisor to leading CSPs, technology vendors, and system integrators worldwide—guiding them through autonomous operations, zero-touch networking, and digital ecosystem evolution. A key contributor to TM Forum’s Autonomous Operations program and Catalyst projects, Luqman is known for translating TM Forum standards into measurable customer outcomes. He champions a Minimum Viable Transformation (MVT) approach that begins with strategic focus areas and product-centric teams, advancing rapidly from proof-of-concept to scaled operations. Through this agile methodology, Makman delivers cutting-edge solutions that enable organizations to transform into Techcos. Luqman will co-present alongside LPTIC, sharing practical insights on leveraging TM Forum assets and MVT strategies to achieve operational excellence and long-term growth.

Ahmed Jarallah is the Chief Strategy Officer at HLC, a subsidiary of the Libyan Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (LPTIC), where he is responsible for the company’s fiber infrastructure strategy, including FTTM and FTTH, in alignment with the group’s broader digital transformation goals. In addition to his role at HLC, Ahmed now serves as the Head of the Supreme Advisory Committee at LPTIC, contributing to high-level strategic guidance and oversight across the group’s initiatives. Reporting directly within the LPTIC leadership structure, Ahmed initially served as Chief Commercial Officer, where he established foundational customer experience frameworks for two of the group’s mobile operators. In his current role at HLC, he leads the ZeroTouch program, applying a product-centric approach to implementing FTTM and FTTH through proof-of-concept and pilot phases. A key member of several LPTIC task forces, Ahmed plays a pivotal role in advancing the group’s five strategic pillars: infrastructure operational excellence, customer experience, revenue beyond connectivity, innovation, and sustained economic impact.

Phil specialises in strategic planning, innovation and marketing consulting. He brings over 25 years’ experience in TMT, both as a consultant and business leader with Verizon Enterprise for eight years. Over the past 15 years, he has led over 200 STL assignments most recently focusing on Telco Cloud, Sustainability, Transformation and Growth. Philip is a fluent French and Italian speaker. He holds an MSc in Information Systems (LSE) and a BA in Engineering (Cambridge).

Planning & Engineering, Service Fulfillment, Service Assurance, Field Operations and Global Transformation. Sudharsan is a senior global technology and operations leader and business visionary; maximizing organizational productivity through innovative technology solutions, building best-in-class teams, setting the strategic focus, and delivering beyond expectations. Sudharsan has been with Verizon for 24 years and has successfully delivered large-scale transformation programs. He led the Platforms and Services team within the Consumer GTS organization; and brings a wealth of experience delivering solutions for our customers, stakeholders, and employees in partnership with the business teams.