Hello, I’m Rafay Iqbal Ansari, a Technology Strategy Connectivity Consultant at WSP. We’re a world-leading multi-disciplinary professional services consulting firm that supports significant projects in built and natural environments, and I consult on the company’s UK operations.
My team is currently working on multiple connectivity projects cutting across different sectors. In collaboration with the transport sector, we are innovating rail communication systems; in addition, we are enabling offshore energy by connecting infrastructure and utilising sensors to create smart flood monitoring systems. These are a few examples of the exciting work that we do at WSP.
The impact of connectivity on people’s daily lives must not be understated. The more we improve connectivity, the better the applications-based impacts. Road users, for example, can soon expect to receive early-warning systems and traffic information, saving time and increasing efficiency.
There is an obvious economic benefit for the UK, but sustainability is equally important. One of the main outcomes of our connectivity projects at WSP is a reduced carbon footprint. Technology has already transformed the world as we know it, but there’s far more progress to be made.
What do you enjoy most about working in this space?
This space doesn’t let you sit. There is always something new happening, new technologies coming in. Telecoms is never stagnant and has come a long way. It is a dynamic sector and seeing the impact of technologies on different applications is always fascinating.
What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve done in the name of work?
In a meeting, I had to explain to seniors how a message travels between communications systems. I decided to invent a game and assigned my colleagues different roles. One person was a base station system; another was a mobile switching centre; and there was also a user. They had to throw a ball at the person they thought was next in the network chain. It was a silly but surprisingly good learning exercise.
What excites you most about working in telecoms?
Working with different sectors: healthcare, transport, energy and so on. You get to see the value of what you’re working on and its direct impact on society. Telecoms is a changemaker.
What would you like people to know about your work?
I work with a range of clients. Telecoms is not just mobile communication, or 4G and 5G. It is so much more and its impact spans across several industries. I want everyone to know that.
Why is a vibrant, flourishing telecoms ecosystem important for the UK?
An ecosystem is crucial for economic growth, and that’s where UKTIN comes in. I am a member of the UKTIN Core Networking Expert Working Group: we recently published a Future Capability Paper, discussing the UK's strengths and providing recommendations to fill the gaps to help us emerge as a leader in core network evolution. We would like to see the UK as a global leader in cutting-edge technologies and invest in R&D, growth and manufacturing.
