Having boasted over 40,000 towers across 10 markets, IHS Towers CEO, Sam Darwish addressed the telecom industry’s pressing challenges in meeting the growing global demand for data connectivity.
He emphasized the critical need for robust infrastructure, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support the increasing communication requirements worldwide.
In a detailed discussion, Darwish highlighted how the continuous surge in consumer data and AI-driven demands presents a unique growth opportunity for the telecom industry. He explained how IHS Towers is actively exploring this potential while committing to ethical leadership in emerging markets across Africa and Latin America.
IHS Towers ranks among the world’s largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure, measured by tower count, with a dedicated focus on emerging markets. The company boasts over 40,000 towers across 10 markets.
The company has invested substantially in hybrid energy solutions, including solar power, and utilizes state-of-the-art network operating centers for remote monitoring, ensuring optimal performance of tower sites.
Despite facing significant challenges related to security, power, and governance, Darwish emphasized that IHS Towers prioritizes ethics in every decision, stating, “We focus on making ethical choices, keeping both our people and our planet in mind. By listening to our customers, partners, and employees, we strive to create a lasting positive impact in our communities,” he said.
Darwish also elaborated on the role of AI in addressing core infrastructure scaling and innovation needs. He identified two primary reasons for the existing infrastructure issues which are population growth and increased data usage, and restrictive global and local macroeconomic conditions. These constraints, he noted, manifest in various forms such as limited access to funding, over-taxation, inadequate local infrastructure, and security challenges.
According to Darwish, AI offers significant potential in optimizing infrastructure platforms, particularly power systems. He pointed out that in countries like Nigeria, where electricity access is a major challenge, building redundant power systems incurs substantial costs. A seemingly simple task, like sending diesel to power towers, becomes complex due to inefficiencies, requiring up to 400,000 site visits annually to refuel the towers.
Darwish explained: “Driver issues, car issues, routing issues, and theft across many sites are difficult to manage manually, regardless of the processes in place. However, AI can analyze data and create solutions to improve costs and minimize network disruptions”
He added that IHS Towers has a dedicated team focused on understanding AI technology, with members, including himself, attending educational programs at MIT to develop and train AI agents.
Darwish’s insights underscore the telecom industry’s pivotal role in advancing global connectivity and the transformative potential of AI in overcoming infrastructure challenges. As IHS Towers continues to navigate these complexities, its commitment to ethical practices and innovative solutions remains at the forefront of its strategy.
