Dr. Rephael Benhamo
345 E.75th St. Suite 35B, New York 10021, NY, USA
121 Avenue D'Italie, Suite 31J 75013 Paris, France
10 Hevrat Sas 4 Tel-Aviv 6515618, Israel

 
Cell: +972 544 733 800
email: refael@itbery.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rephael-benhamo-239763/ Site: http://www.analight.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenhamoRephael
Github:  https://github.com/rbenami-cell/refael.git
Publications: http://www.analight.com/publications.html

Education
Ph.D. Computer Science and Mathematics – Hebrew University 2007
MBA Marketing and Management – Hebrew University 2009
M.Sc. Computer Science NYU Polytechnic Institute of New York, 2002
B.Sc. Electrical Engineering, NYU Polytechnic Institute of New York, 2000
 
Patents and Award
U.S Patent Application No. 16/176,580 "System and Method for Content Integrity using DLT", 2022
U.S Patent Application No. 98/987.776, "SDN Load Balancing NF & Scalable L7 Visibility”, 2019
U.S Patent No.: 6,301,267 B1, "Optical Smart Switch", 2010
DARPA Grant: Ph.D. Thesis award, “Optoelectronic Semiconductor Design and Fabrication”, 2008
 
Profile: Expertise and Key Accomplishment
With over two decades experience in mobile and fixed network. I worked at AT&T Labs, a Distinguished Member of technical staff for over 10 years, I dedicated my efforts to researching next generation network operations. Throughout my career, specifically focusing on intelligent and cognitive infrastructure, autonomous network operations, network digital transformation, BSS/OSS modernization, etc. In addition, I provided hands on consulting services to leading Tier one carriers worldwide.

• Autonomous Operations (AO) - I’ve leveraged 5G functional components to deliver AO design guideline, incorporating BSS/OSS learning and inference models, ERP, distributed AI and federated identity. traffic steering, spatial and temporal GCN for traffic forecast. The solutions are based on TMF Open APIs and best practices.

 

• CSP to DSP Transformation - I’ve managed digitization of CSP's processes, applying digital tools to enhance operations. This includes deploying Digital Twin (DT) technology, ontologies, digital thread, knowledge graph models, and closed-loop automation, unification, and analytics on cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and hybrid environments.

 

• Zero Touch Partnering (ZTP) - I’ve developed an ecosystem partnership model for ZTP metaverse ecosystem PoC, testing remote 3D content rendering across various network functions, cloud, and edge solutions. The ecosystem seamlessly integrates virtual content into a user's physical environment, offering hybrid local and remote real-time rendering, video compression, edge computing, and cross-layer visibility, including advocacy for 5G spectrum.

 

1. Performance Management - I’ve executed performance and SLA management platform across the ecosystem providers. The solution is managed by Digital Twin (DT) and closed loop automation. DT mimic the offered service and collect device service performance from the ecosystem providers. DT observes and reacts proactively to any anomaly incident.

 

• Lead Editor and Active Contributor to SDOs - Led Open-API contributions for ZTP Open-APIs service activation. I’m active participate in the working sessions of TM Forum: eTOM/SID/FF, Autonomous Network (AN), AIOps, NaaS, CaaS, AOMM, CLADRA, ODA Components and AI and data governance. Additionally, Additionally, I have made valuable contributions to organizations such as 3GPP, ETSI, ITU-T (SG-13), MEF, BBF, IETF, and O-RAN alliance (See Publications).

 

• Proficient Data Governance and Learning: My proficiency in data collection, storage, clustering, and analysis using R and Python, along with expertise in data discovery, curation, management, privacy, security, and access, ensures robust data governance. I am well-versed in telecommunications-specific statistics like RSRP/RSRQ/CQI, handover, cell quality, channel state information, beam forming and positioning. Furthermore, I have implemented algorithms such as TensorFlow, LightGBM, XGBoost, DBSCAN, and PyTorch.

 

• Data Analytics and AI/ML Expertise: gathering data from network entities, sensors, and probes. My expertise extends to using the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) for cognitive analytics, enabling zero-touch and closed-loop network automation. I utilized time-series data for cell-load prediction, training Graph Neural Network (GNN), Graph Convolutional Network (GCN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) using LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) and harnessing DT and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) based smart contracts technology to enhance customer experiences.

 

• Information Security Framework: Developed an information security framework addressing data breaches, federated identity management, governance, regulatory compliance, and GDPR. Implemented federated identity, access management, and content integrity. Designed a smart city surveillance model using IoT sensors, video cameras, and drones interconnected through LTE-M, NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, and 5G technologies

 
Work Experience
 
Barnet Communications Intelligence: CTO 2004 – Present

• I have served as a technical advisor, to AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Telenor, TeliaSonera, Tele2, Vodafone-Group, Etisalat Group, Vodafone-Idea, BT, Orange, Jio, China Mobile, SingTel, Globes, Smart, STC, Mobily, Avea, and Turkcell.

 
HCL Technologies: Chief Architect 5G Innovations and Integration 2020-2023

• Lead editor and key contributed to TM Forum standards and other SDOs. See Publications.

 
Comcast: Director SD-WAN Automated Network solutions 2019-2020

• I deployed "Versa” SD-WAN packet steering, a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform, Palo Alto NGFW, and Amdocs active and available inventory {A&AI) management to enable customer automated SD-WAN service management.

 
Huawei: VP Technical Solution to Huawei’s Customer 2016-2019

• I served as a technical solution architect for the study of 5G and NGOS cloud-native transformations. 5G PoC performed for Telenor, TeliaSonera, Tele2, Etisalat Group, VF-Idea, Globes, Smart, STC, Mobily, Avea, Turkcell, SingTel, INWI, and others. My roles and achievements encompassed:

 

• 5G Core Services: Implementing 5G core network-based services and driving cloud-native transformations, addressing 5G network operations, with a focus on slice lifecycle management and "zero-touch" operations, enabling the creation, activation, and management of network slice instances and services in real-time.

 

• Integration Expertise: Extensive experience in integrating multi-vendor ecosystems: including vIMS, vSBC, vTAS, VoLTE, VoNR, ViLTE, FWA WWC, eMBB, mMTC, and MIoT

 

• Managed Service Providers (MSP) Cloud Transformation: Leading cloud transformation planning using technologies like M/R/E-CORD, ONOS, and ONAP across wireless, terrestrial, and optical access and transport networks.

 

• EN-DC Interworking: Implementing EN-DC interworking based on microservices Network Functions packaged in containerized images. This orchestration was accomplished using OpenStack Helm, Kubernetes, and Airship on network slice instances, automating provisioning and management.

 

• Hosted Services Program: Developing and deploying hosted services programs, including technical architecture governance, E2E operational models, remote help desks, and APIs exposure programs for third-party vendors.  This involved working with VIM/NFVI and PNFs, data models, on-boarding, and decomposing resilience applications into smaller functionalities running on PaaS APIs services.

 
Amdocs: Director BSS/OSS Strategic Planning and Development 2014–2016
As the lead technical advisor for Amdocs, I provided guidance to Amdocs’s clients, including BSNL, Vodafone Essar, ICE VertICE, and SingTel. My responsibilities involved:

• Automation Solutions: I designed and developed solutions to automate operational processes, with a strong focus on achieving zero-touch functionality. This was achieved through data analytics and quantitative modeling techniques aimed at improving device performance, QoE, and QoS.

 

• Performance Measurement and AI/ML Modeling: I developed methodologies to measure and model wireless network and device KPIs and KQIs, as well as derive users’ profile.

 

• Data Visualization and ML: I utilized data visualization tools to effectively present analytical results. I applied various ML algorithms, including forecasting, clustering, classification, RL, and DL, to extract valuable insights from data.

 

• Data Extraction and Analysis: I performed data Extraction, Transformation, and Loading (ETL) tasks and conducted text mining and statistical analysis. I used a wide range of tools and programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, VBA, Java Scripts, Spark, Hadoop, MySQL, Excel, Teradata SQL, and MS SQL.

 

• Policy Enforcement and Integration: I conducted testing and integration of policy enforcement and integration points using Amdocs A&AI in conjunction with Versa edge platform to enable the convergence of NaaS and SASE by incorporating NGFW.

 
Nokia: Lead Solutions Architect 2011-2014
 
I served as Technical Lead for Nokia's key customers, including BT, Orange, DT, EE, 3UK, VF UK, DT, Orange, KPN, and VF in various regions. I provided expert guidance and support in the following areas:

• Network Solutions & Professional Services: I planned, designed, integrated, and deployed network solutions for Nokia's customers. Projects included enterprise IoT devices, VoIP services, FTTH ODN Optical Distribution System, IP network transformation, and network services migration planning.

 

• Integration of Enterprise Small Cells and IoT Devices: I led the integration efforts for enterprise small cell and IoT device solutions, focusing on intelligent control and management for the production chain. This involved designing and implementing infrastructure and protocols for seamless integration.

 

• VoIP Services in Multi-Vendor Networks: I planned, designed, integrated, and deployed VoIP services within multi-vendor network environments. My responsibilities included ensuring interoperability and optimal performance across different vendors.

 

• Design and Deployment of FTTH ODN Optical Distribution System and IP Network Transformation: I delivered high-speed broadband to homes and businesses by migrating services to IP-based solutions.

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• Designed 21CN IP Transport Network for BT: My work involved separating control and user plane applications to optimize network performance, scalability, and efficiency, with a focus on components like DNS, DHCP, Radius, Diameter, NTP, and LRSI.

 
SeRIQA Network: Founder/CEO/CTO 2010-2011
Conceived and led network optimization tool development. The software components were designed to optimize traffic and to prevent network congestion and perform traffic engineering. Additionally, we developed and patented data analytics tools for IP-Optical synergy. SeRIQA Network had a diverse clientele, including major companies such as AT&T, Verizon, BT, Orange, Proximus, INWI, MTC, Bezeq, Partner, Cellcom, and many others.
 
 
AT&T Labs: DMTS – Optical and Packet Network Research 2006-2010
During my tenure at AT&T Labs from 2000 to 2010 as a DMTS (Distinguished Member of Technical Staff) in Optical and Packet Network Research, I was involved in various significant activities:

• I was responsible for the design, simulation, and development of algorithms for the global AT&T USA network.

 

• I led a study aimed at deriving performance measures for data transport. This included the development of engineering rules to ensure error-free communication channels for private lines, employing a mix of technologies such as mobile, fiber, satellite, copper, and coax.

 

• I played a key role in algorithm design and deployment, which encompassed tasks like IP broadcast, radio planning and coverages, network optimization, autonomous service activation and provisioning, and cross-domain network optimization.

 

• My expertise extended to a wide range of technologies and areas, including dark-fiber, SDH/SONET/IP, 40G/100G/200G/400G coherent optical transmission technologies, Ethernet, switching, routing, data networks, DCN (Data Communication Networks), optical mesh redundant routes, wavelength routing, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), MSAN/MSAG (Multi-Service Access Node/Multi-Service Access Gateway), OAM&P (Operations, Administration, Maintenance, and Provisioning), and EMS/NMS (Element Management System/Network Management System).

 
Proficiencies

• AWS - Cloud9, Azure, Telco private clouds and Heroic, Docker, Kubernetes, Openstack, Chef and PuppetScripting and Programming: Linux, GitHub, TCL, Perl, Ruby, Go, RESTful APIs, gRTP, Kafka, C/C++, JavaScript, Java/J2EE, Servlets, OpenvSwitch, PHP, R, SOA, Spring MVC, SQL and No-SQL. HTML5, JS, CSS, XML, Openshift, Apache Spark

 

• Cloud Foundry, LF Networking, ONAP, OPNFV, tungsten fabric, panda, Open Switch, FD.io, SANS.io, CNCF, Akraino Edge Stack, LF Edge, LF Deep Learning, Acumos AI, Ansible, Helm, Terraform, Prometheus,

 

• Openstack, VMware NSX, VirtualBox, Docker Engine, Kubernetes, Hypervisors (ESXi, KVM, OVM, Xen), Linux (RedHat/Ubuntu), Apache, YANG, (Python, Groovy, YAML, Perl), JSON, vSwitches/vNics, VMFS, SAN/NAS, MEF and LSO project, OPNFV, IO Visor, OpenContrail

 

• Openflow, Opendaylight, NETCONF, P4, TCP/IP, UDP, EIRGP, OSPF, BGP, RRC, NAS, GTP, VoIP/SIP, IN, TL1, HTTPS/SOAP, CMTS, SMSC/MMSC/CPM/EVVM/WAP, PDCP, RLC, MAC, SSL/TLS, MSF, NGN, LMDS, MMDS, SIP, ISIS, RIP, SMNP, CLI, XML, AMQP, CORBA, TOGAF.

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• Diameter, SS7, ISUP, PRI, NG911(ESINET NENA i3), MGCP, TGCP, NCS, INAP/TCAP Network Programming Tools: sFlow/NetFlow, Arieso/JDSU, Wireshark, ATPG, Scapy, NetSonar (trace route and ping), Libra, etc., Tools and Common Services: VNF SDK, Microservices Bus, Logs, Auth, OpenID Connect.