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: [email protected]
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, ISRAEL
MBA Finance - Hebrew University, ISRAEL
M.Sc. Computer Science, NYU Polytechnic Institute of New York, USA
B.Sc. Electrical Engineering, NYU Polytechnic Institute of New York, USA
 
Patents and Award
U.S Patent Application No. 16/176,580 "System and Method for Content Integrity using DLT
U.S Patent Application No. 98/987.776, "SDN Load Balancing NF & Scalable L7 Visibility”
U.S Patent No.: 6,301,267 B1, "Optical Smart Switch"
DARPA Grant: Ph.D. Thesis award, “Optoelectronic GaAs VLSI Design and Fabrication
 
Profile: Expertise and Key Accomplishment
Barnet Communications Intelligence: Professional Expertise CTO 2004 – Present

• Network Deployment: Over 20 years of experience in deploying wireless and wireline networks for global carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, BT, and Vodafone.
• APIs Development: Designed and implemented APIs to streamline operations and enable seamless system integration.
• AI/ML Integration: Leveraged LLM to enhance network operations, optimize resource management, and drive automation.
• Digital Transformation: Spearheaded cloudification and digital transformation initiatives to modernize telecom infrastructure.
• Global Reach: Collaborated with leading carriers such as Singtel, Tele2, Telenor, TeliaSonera, and others to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

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Profile: Expertise and Key Accomplishment

• Taxonomy and Ontology Integration: Designed and implemented LLMs with TensorFlow and GNNs for NaaS E2E management, resource allocation, anomaly detection, RCA, and automated recovery. Advanced federated ontologies and AI multi-agent systems for seamless cross-domain reasoning and lifecycle management.
• 5G and O-RAN Deployment: Led 5G Core SE and slicing services, ETSI OpenSlice initiatives using Kubernetes and microservices to create scalable, resilient and automated cloud native for CP/UP NFs, ensuring optimized workloads, and integrating advanced IMS and VoNR features. Deployed O-RAN RIC with Azure cloud-native technologies, distributed digital twins, and GCN for traffic steering.
• OSS/BSS Modernization: Modernized service provisioning and activation at Verizon, leveraging GenAI, ontologies, RDF, and semantic web technologies to drive operational efficiency and automation.
• Standards and Contributions: Active contributor to TM Forum and SDOs, APIs development, addressing knowledge representation, intent-based autonomous operations, and advanced AI governance, ontological and schema layers (OWL, TIO, RDF), data layer (YANG and XML), serialization formats (TURTLE, JSON-LD, YAML-LD, RDF-XML), ZTP service activation and self-healing network specification, eTOM/SID/FF, AN, AIOps, NaaS, CaaS, AOMM, CLADRA, ODA Components, AI and data governance, liaison programs with 3GPP, ETSI, ITU-T, IETF, O-RAN Alliance, MEF, BBF, etc.
• Network Optimization: Developed traffic engineering solutions to prevent congestion and optimize IP-optical synergy. Designed SLA performance platforms and cognitive analytics using NWDAF and multi-layered data inputs.
• Performance Analytics: Expert in data governance, clustering, and statistical analytics for cellular KPIs like RSRP, RSRQ, and CQI. Integrated data from sensors, probes, and NWDAF for advanced insights.
• Performance Management: I have successfully implemented performance and service SLA management platform across various ecosystem providers. The software components were designed to optimize traffic and prevent network congestion using multi-layered traffic engineering using data analytics algorithm for IP-Optical layered network synergy.
• Cybersecurity Leadership: Formulated strategies for identity management, GDPR compliance, and data protection through federated identity systems and robust governance frameworks.
• Smart City Surveillance Systems: Architected IoT-based smart surveillance integrating LTE-M, NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, and 5G for real-time, secure city monitoring.
• Autonomous Operations (AO): Designed AO frameworks leveraging 5G components, BSS/OSS learning models, distributed AI, federated identity, traffic steering, and spatial-temporal GCN for forecasting. Solutions adhere to TMF Open APIs and best practices.
• CSP to DSP Transformation: Led CSP digitization by implementing Digital Twin technology, ontologies, digital thread, knowledge graphs, and closed-loop automation. Integrated cloud-based analytics across AWS, Azure, and hybrid environments. 
• Zero Touch Partnering (ZTP): Developed a ZTP metaverse ecosystem PoC, enabling real-time remote 3D content rendering across network functions, cloud, and edge. Integrated hybrid rendering, video compression, edge computing, and cross-layer visibility, advocating for 5G spectrum advancements.
• Data Governance & AI Learning: Expertise in data governance, privacy, and security using R and Python. Applied statistical models in telecom (RSRP/RSRQ/CQI, handover, beamforming, positioning) and implemented AI/ML algorithms including TensorFlow, LightGBM, XGBoost, DBSCAN, and PyTorch.

     
Work Experience
 
Barnet Communications Intelligence: CTO 2004 – Present

• I have served as a technical lead, 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 2023-2025
Standards APIs Development and AI/ML Expertise

• Leadership: Lead editor and key contributor to TM Forum standards and APIs development (See Publications).
• AI/ML Algorithm Development: Designed time-series prediction models for applications like cell-load forecasting.
• Advanced Neural Networks: Applied GNN, GCN, and RNN with LSTM for predictive analytics and modeling.
• Framework Proficiency: Utilized TensorFlow, PyTorch, LightGBM, XGBoost, and DBSCAN to build and optimize AI/ML solutions.

Comcast: Director SD-WAN Automated Network solutions 2022-2023
SD-WAN and NG-SDN Deployment Specialist
Implemented and integrated Versa SD-WAN, SASE platforms, Palo Alto NGFW, and Amdocs A&AI for automated SD-WAN service management. Key contributions include:

• Transport and NG-SDN Enablement: Tested ONOS transport applications and μONOS to ensure seamless transitions to NG-SDN architectures.
• Operational Excellence: Delivered comprehensive platform capabilities for configuration, control, monitoring, verification, diagnostics, and live updates.
• Interface and Model Support: Utilized μONOS native support for NG-SDN standards like gNMI, gNOI, P4Runtime, gRIBI, and OpenConfig.

 
Huawei: VP Technical Solution to Huawei’s Customer 2021-2022
Technical Solution Architect – 5G and Cloud-Native Transformations
Led 5G PoC initiatives for global carriers: including Telenor, TeliaSonera, Tele2, Etisalat, VF-Idea, SingTel, Turkcell, and others. Key contributions include:

• 5G Core Services: Implemented 5G core services, focusing on real-time slice lifecycle management, zero-touch operations, and cloud-native transformations.
• Multi-Vendor Ecosystem Integration: Delivered solutions across vIMS, VoLTE, FWA WWC, eMBB, and mMTC using ONOS, ONAP, and CORD frameworks.
• EN-DC Interworking: Automated provisioning and management of network slices via containerized network functions using OpenStack Helm, Kubernetes, and Airship.
• Hosted Services Programs: Developed E2E operational models, API exposure programs, and PaaS-based service architectures, enabling seamless third-party integrations.

Amdocs: Director BSS/OSS Strategic Planning and Development 2020–2021
Lead Technical Advisor – Amdocs
Advised clients including BSNL, Vodafone Essar, ICE VertICE, and SingTel, driving automation, performance measurement, and policy integration. Key contributions include:

• Automation Solutions: Designed zero-touch operational solutions using data analytics and quantitative modeling to enhance QoE, QoS, and device performance.
• Performance Modeling: Developed methodologies for wireless network KPIs/KQIs and user profiling, apply AI/ML techniques: forecasting, clustering, classification, RL, and DL.
• Data Analysis and Visualization: Conducted ETL, text mining, and statistical analysis using Python, R, Spark, Hadoop, and SQL, with impactful data visualization.
• Policy Integration: Enabled NaaS and SASE convergence through policy enforcement and integration with Amdocs A&AI and Versa edge platform.

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Nokia: Lead Solutions Architect 2018-2020
Technical Lead – Nokia
Guided key customers (BT, Orange, DT, EE, VF, KPN, and others) across network solutions, professional services, and integration projects. Key contributions include:

• Network Solutions: Led VoIP services, FTTH ODN systems, IP network transformation, and migration planning for multi-vendor networks.
• Enterprise Small Cells and IoT: Directed integration of enterprise small cells and IoT devices with intelligent production chain control.
• VoIP in Multi-Vendor Networks: Designed and deployed VoIP solutions, ensuring seamless integration across diverse vendor environments.
• BT 21CN IP Transport Network: Optimized network performance by separating control and user planes, focusing on DNS, DHCP, Radius, Diameter, NTP, and LRSI.

SeRIQA Network: Founder/CEO/CTO 2016-2018
Network Optimization Tool Development Lead
Conceived and led the development of network optimization tools to prevent congestion and optimize traffic using advanced traffic engineering practices. Key highlights include:

• IP-Optical Synergy: Designed data analytics algorithms for IP-Optical synergy tools to enhance network efficiency.
• Global Deployment: Successfully deployed tools for leading operators, including AT&T, Verizon, BT, Orange, T-Mobile, Jio, China Mobile, SingTel, and others.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Worked with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution and alignment with objectives.

AT&T Labs: DMTS – Optical and Packet Network Research 2005-2015
DMTS – AT&T Labs (2000–2010)
Led research and development of algorithms for AT&T's global optical and packet networks. Key achievements include:

• Performance Measures: Developed engineering rules for error-free communication across private lines using mobile, fiber, satellite, copper, and coax technologies.
• Algorithm Design: Designed and deployed algorithms for IP broadcast, radio planning, autonomous service provisioning, and cross-domain network optimization.
• Technology Expertise: Specialized in SDH/SONET/IP, coherent optical transmission (40G–1Tbps), GPON, dark-fiber, wavelength routing, Ethernet, switching, and optical mesh redundancy.
• Advanced Networking: Delivered solutions for DSL, MSAN/MSAG, and EMS/NMS systems, driving innovation in network architecture and performance.

Proficiencies
Expert in cloud platforms, programming, network, and open-source frameworks. Key skills include:

• Cloud Technologies: AWS Cloud9, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, Openstack, VMware NSX, and Hypervisors (ESXi, KVM, Xen).
• Programming and Scripting: Proficient in Python, Groovy, YAML, Perl, R, Java, C/C++, RESTful APIs development, SQL, and NoSQL.
• Networking Protocols and Tools: NETCONF, TCP/IP, OSPF, BGP, VoIP/SIP, Diameter, SS7, ISUP, sFlow, NetFlow, Wireshark.
• Frameworks and Automation Tools: ONAP, OPNFV, Helm, Terraform, Ansible, Prometheus, Cloud Foundry, Acumos AI, and YANG.
• Telecom and Virtualization: MEF, LSO, P4/OpenFlow, OpenDaylight, vSwitches/vNICs, and optical networking.
• Security and STD: SSL/TLS, OpenID Connect, OATH, TOGAF, and NG911 (ESINET NENA i3).