CET 2025 | Industry, Government, and the US Defense Community | Virtual Event, June 10th & Sep 10th, 2025

CET 2025 Event Description: 

This conference convenes senior leaders from industry, government, and the defense community to examine how 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), and Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) are reshaping the future of secure, agile, and mission-critical communications. 

From AI-powered decision-making at the tactical edge to Open RAN architectures enabling vendor diversity and faster innovation, this is where cutting-edge technology meets real-world mission demands. Explore how autonomous networks, private 5G deployments, and programmable RAN systems (rApps and xApps) are advancing operational agility, cybersecurity, and resilient connectivity.

If you're working at the intersection of emerging tech, secure infrastructure and national defense—CET 2025 will unpack the latest deployments, policy frameworks, and collaborative models shaping the future of AI-native, mission-ready communications.

Participants will hear from top experts and decision-makers shaping the future of digital infrastructure and gain insights into how joint innovation is powering secure, agile, and mission-driven communications for both civilian and defense applications.

Key Themes

1. Intelligence-Driven, Autonomous Networks

Panels under this theme explore how AI, machine learning, GenAI, and closed-loop automation are shaping the future of telecom and defense networks. It covers AI-native operations, predictive optimization, and the push toward zero-touch, self-healing, and autonomous networks.

2. Open RAN and Programmable Architectures

This theme centers on Open RAN, rApps/xApps, and open APIs as enablers of modular, interoperable, and vendor-agnostic networks. It includes discussions on RIC-based intelligence, orchestration at scale, cloud-native RAN deployments, and the evolving supply chain landscape for telecom and defense.

3. Security and Trust in the AI + 5G Era

Here, the emphasis is on cybersecurity, Zero Trust, data protection, and policy alignment as networks become more distributed and intelligent. It explores national security implications, AI model trust, API security, and regulatory frameworks guiding innovation and risk management.

4. Public-Private Collaboration and Ecosystem Innovation

This theme highlights the importance of joint R&D, telco-defense partnerships, and hyperscaler engagement in accelerating secure, scalable infrastructure. It reflects on pilot programs, real-world deployments, and the collaborative innovation models shaping the next-generation communications stack.

5. Converging Technologies for Mission Readiness

This theme focuses on how 5G, AI, cloud, and edge computing are transforming defense and critical infrastructure. It includes private networks for the DoD, autonomous systems, and real-time decision-making at the tactical edge—highlighting the importance of speed, adaptability, and resilience in operational environments.

Program Abstracts

"Mission-Ready Networks: Advancing 5G, AI, and Cybersecurity Through Public-Private Innovation"

1.Future-Proofing the Battlespace: 5G for Mission Readiness

Explore how 5G infrastructure is transforming battlefield communications, logistics, and situational awareness. Panelists will discuss current deployments, private 5G networks, and how low-latency, high-throughput connectivity supports real-time decision-making for defense operations.

2. AI at the Core: Smarter, Safer Network Management

Dive into how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing network operations—from autonomous network optimization to real-time anomaly detection. This session covers the benefits and challenges of AI-powered networks in both civilian and defense settings.

3. Secure by Design: Cybersecurity in the Age of 5G and AI

As networks become more intelligent and decentralized, the attack surface expands. This discussion will examine emerging cybersecurity risks and how Zero Trust principles, AI-driven threat detection, and public-private collaboration can ensure robust defenses.

4. Mission-Focused 5G: Private Networks for the DoD and Critical Infrastructure

Panelists will explore real-world use cases of private 5G networks in military, energy, and emergency response sectors. Topics include spectrum access, edge computing, and how 5G supports multi-domain operations and national readiness.

5. Joint Innovation: Public-Private Models for Resilient 5G Infrastructure

Hear from government agencies, defense contractors, and telecom providers on how collaborative R&D efforts are accelerating the development of secure, scalable, and mission-ready 5G networks. The session will spotlight recent pilot programs and testbed results.

"Advancing 5G for Critical Infrastructure: Innovation, Security, and Scalability in Telecom and Defense"

1. Telcos and Defense: Bridging Commercial Innovation with Mission Demands

This panel explores how telecom operators are partnering with defense and government agencies to deliver secure, high-performance 5G connectivity. Topics include private networks, service-level agreements, and aligning commercial-grade tech with mission-critical requirements.

2. Open RAN Meets the Cloud: Disaggregated Networks at Scale

Dive into how Open RAN and cloud platforms are converging to deliver flexible, scalable, and vendor-neutral networks. Experts will explore orchestration, deployment models, and interoperability in cloud-based RAN implementations.

3. Zero Trust from Core to Edge: Securing the 5G Network Continuum

As data moves from centralized clouds to distributed edge environments, securing every layer becomes critical. This session will examine how telcos, hyperscalers, and defense partners are embedding Zero Trust principles into 5G network architecture.

4. Network Slicing and Edge Intelligence: Tailoring 5G for Diverse Use Cases

Panelists will explore how telcos are using network slicing and AI at the edge to meet the unique demands of industries like defense, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure—delivering dedicated, secure service layers on shared networks.

"AI-Driven Transformation in Telecom: Autonomous Networks, Open RAN, and the Future of Connectivity"

1. AI-Native Telcos: Evolving Toward Autonomous Networks

Explore how telecom operators are leveraging artificial intelligence to move beyond automation into true network autonomy. Panelists will discuss use cases for predictive maintenance, self-healing networks, and AI-driven optimization across RAN and core domains.

2. rApps, xApps, and the Programmable RAN of the Future

Dive into the heart of Open RAN intelligence. This session examines how rApps and xApps are enabling real-time RAN control, smarter resource allocation, and dynamic optimization through the RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller). This discussion focuses on how operators are deploying and testing rApps/xApps in live environments. Topics include orchestration challenges, use case validation, and performance benchmarks across multivendor ecosystems.

3. Open APIs: Driving Interoperability and Innovation in the RAN Ecosystem

This panel will unpack how Open APIs are fueling a more modular and vendor-neutral telecom environment—allowing greater collaboration, simplified integration, and more rapid innovation across the Open RAN stack.

4. Toward Zero-Touch Networks: AI and Closed-Loop Automation in Action

Learn how telcos are designing closed-loop automation systems with AI to continuously monitor, learn from, and adapt their networks—reducing operational complexity and enabling real-time responsiveness at scale.

5. Composable Telco: How APIs, AI, and Cloud-Native Design Are Transforming the Stack

This panel explores the shift to a composable telecom architecture powered by open APIs and AI-driven service layers—unlocking agility, service personalization, and integration with digital ecosystems.

6. AI for the RAN and Beyond: Unlocking End-to-End Network Intelligence

Go beyond the radio with this full-stack view of AI integration—from access and transport to core and service layers. Learn how operators are deploying AI at every layer to maximize performance, reduce OPEX, and deliver next-gen services.

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