Enoch Charles is the Information Technology - Smart Grid Transport Manager at CenterPoint Energy. He has been working in the telecommunication industry for more than three decades witnessing the various developments that has happened over the years.

Enoch shared his expertise for the 2025 edition of Energy Tech Review, about the upcoming transformation in the industry.

Journey in the Transforming World

In my 33 years of working in telecommunications, I have witnessed and been part of remarkable transformations. From the transition from analog to digital, CDMA rollouts, and the evolution into WiMAX, each wave of innovation has reinforced one truth: telecom is not just about technology, it’s about connecting people, places, and possibilities.

Over the last century, we have gone from copper wire calls to seamless, high-definition video streaming across the globe in seconds. However, the next decade promises something even bigger—a transformation where telecom becomes the invisible backbone of nearly every aspect of human life: faster, smarter, and more responsive than ever before.

The Next Leap in Connectivity

The networks of tomorrow will not just be faster; they will be intelligent, adaptive, and global.

• 6G & beyond will enable holographic calls, tactile internet experiences, and near-instant communication.

“The next decade promises something even bigger—a transformation where telecom becomes the invisible backbone of nearly every aspect of human life: faster, smarter, and more responsive than ever before”

• Edge Computing will bring processing power closer to the user, powering mission-critical applications in real time.

• Satellite Constellations will connect even the most remote areas, erasing the digital divide.

AI as the Network Brain

Artificial intelligence will be at the heart of future networks:

• Self-Healing infrastructure that detects and corrects issues before users notice.

• Predictive Capacity Planning to prevent bottlenecks before they happen.

• Hyper-Personalized Services that anticipate customer needs before they even ask.

Human-Centric Service Models Technology will be paired with a deep focus on people:

• Universal Access as a basic human right.

• Privacy by Design embedded into every layer of service.

• Digital Inclusion programs to ensure no community is left behind.

Telecom as an Innovation Platform

From smart cities to immersive media and industrial IoT, future telecom will be the foundation of modern life, driving advancements in safety, sustainability, and economic growth.

Sustainability at the Core

Next-gen telecom will be greener: renewable-powered networks, circular economy device programs, and AI-driven energy optimization.

Future of Telecommunication

The future of telecommunications is not just about moving data—it is about enabling human potential. It is about being the nervous system of our connected world, where every person, device, and idea can share, collaborate, and grow. As I reflect on decades of change, one lesson stands out: the progress we have made—and the future we are building— takes all of us to be great.