Bronius Skudutis, CEO of Mediafon Datapro, in exclusive interview with Teletimes on Telecom Innovation, Digital Infrastructure, Security and Global Market Opportunities
Gulraiz Khalid: How has Mediafon Datapro’s strategy evolved in recent years, and what are your key priorities for international expansion?
Bronius Skudutis: Mediafon Datapro has evolved from a provider of specialized telecom solutions into a partner helping countries solve problems that affect entire telecom markets. Number portability was our starting point, but today our work extends to Central Equipment Identity Registers (CEIR), Device Identification Registers (DIR), National SIM Registries (NSR), numbering management, digital identity and other critical national telecom systems.
Working across 17 countries has taught us that technology is only part of the solution. What matters is understanding the problem, adapting to local realities and, most importantly, delivering results.
This experience also shapes where we expand next. We are strengthening our presence in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Our priority is not simply to enter new markets, but to build long-term partnerships, particularly with governments and operators seeking to modernize their critical systems while maintaining operational continuity.
GK: What role do number portability and centralized numbering systems play in accelerating digital transformation in telecom markets?
BS: Number portability is much more than a technical service. It allows customers to switch operators without losing their number, giving them greater freedom of choice while encouraging competition on service quality and price.
But portability is only one part of the picture. Numbering resources are a national asset, and without proper oversight, large blocks of numbers may remain unused, while insufficient controls can also create opportunities for misuse. Centralized numbering management helps regulators ensure responsible allocation, prevent abuse and generate fair revenue from these resources.
Our NUMLEX platform supports both number portability and national numbering management. By bringing these functions into a single system, NUMLEX makes number portability easier for operators and gives regulators better control over national numbering resources.
GK: How is Mediafon Datapro helping operators and governments address telecom fraud, cybersecurity and digital identity challenges?
BS: As telecommunications become more deeply integrated into financial services, government platforms and everyday digital transactions, trust and security are increasingly important.
Our CEIR and device registration systems help countries tackle the illegal handset market, while national SIM registries and biometric identification solutions strengthen subscriber verification and help prevent identity fraud.
We also help operators protect their networks and revenues. Across Mediafon Group, our solutions address SMS fraud, interconnect bypass and other forms of unauthorized traffic.
We believe effective fraud prevention requires a combination of reliable data, appropriate regulatory frameworks and technology that can adapt to evolving threats.
GK: With operations across multiple regions, where do you see the greatest opportunities for telecom infrastructure development and innovation?
BS: We see opportunities across both emerging and mature telecommunications markets, although their priorities can be quite different.
In developing markets, the focus is often on establishing reliable national systems, improving regulatory oversight and supporting fair competition. In more mature markets, the emphasis may shift towards modernization, automation, cybersecurity and revenue protection.
Our experience across Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America has shown us that many challenges are shared, even when local market conditions differ. Number portability, device registration, tackling the illegal handset market, fraud prevention and protection against unauthorized traffic are relevant across regions.
For us, the key is combining international experience with local knowledge. Technology must be adapted to the regulatory and operational realities of each market to deliver sustainable results.
GK: How do you see AI, automation and next-generation connectivity reshaping the telecom industry, and what is your long-term vision for Mediafon Datapro?
BS: Artificial intelligence and automation offer significant opportunities to improve efficiency, identify anomalies and strengthen fraud prevention. However, AI also gives cybercriminals new capabilities, making attacks more sophisticated and harder to detect. This makes reliable data, secure infrastructure and effective regulatory governance even more important.
As networks become more interconnected and digital services expand, national systems need an architecture that can handle growing complexity and evolving security threats.
Our long-term focus is on developing scalable, flexible and secure solutions that help operators and regulators respond to these changes. We believe that the future of telecommunications will depend not only on faster connectivity, but also on the trusted digital infrastructure that supports it.
GK: How does Mediafon Datapro view highly connected markets such as Oman, with its advanced satellite, submarine cable and mobile infrastructure? What opportunities and challenges do such markets present for your business?
BS: Oman demonstrates how investment in connectivity can create opportunities beyond telecommunications itself. Its development as a regional connectivity hub provides a foundation for further growth in digital services, data centers, cloud infrastructure and international business. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is a strong example of a regulator that goes beyond setting rules, actively encouraging investment and driving concrete initiatives that support Oman’s long-term digital ambitions.
As networks become more interconnected and international traffic grows, operators and regulators face increasingly complex challenges relating to fraud prevention, revenue assurance, interoperability and the management of critical telecommunications systems. These are areas where our broader group has relevant expertise. For Mediafon Datapro, the opportunity is to bring our experience from 17 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, and work with Oman’s regulators, operators and industry partners to understand how our solutions can complement existing infrastructure. We want to build on what Oman has already achieved, not replace what already works. The goal is to help ensure that its national telecom systems remain secure, reliable and capable of meeting future requirements.
