‘The UK IT industry is transforming toward open-source, cloud-native and automated platforms, with sustainability as a guiding principle’
Openreach’s Zubair Afsar shares insights about the organization’s transformative journey over the past year, earning the company a spot in the final shortlist across four categories at the UK IT Industry Awards 2025.
The UK IT Industry Awards, the most recognized event in the tech industry, hosted by Computing and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, highlights excellence and innovation within the sector. This year’s ceremony took place on November 12th in London, with Openreach being acknowledged in four competitive categories.
Zubair Afsar, Senior Manager of Inventory & Network OSS at Openreach, elaborated on the organization’s significant challenges and triumphs over the past year. He leads the initiative for transforming legacy network systems into agile, cloud-native platforms, enhancing the UK’s digital infrastructure. Through his expertise in open-source tech and strategic operational leadership, Zubair continuously improves reliability and optimizes operational costs while advancing automation. He plays a crucial role in the development and security of Openreach’s One Network platform.
Why do you think awards like the UK IT Industry Awards matter?
According to Zubair, awards like the UK IT Industry Awards are essential for establishing standards of excellence in the IT sector. They celebrate innovations that shape the UK’s digital landscape. For Openreach, this recognition reinforces their dedication to transforming national connectivity and highlights their leadership in deploying full fibre technology. This acknowledgment not only inspires the team but also cements their authority as a foundational player in the UK’s digital infrastructure, giving them an edge in attracting top talent and fostering strategic partnerships in the industry.
What would winning this award mean to your company?
Winning the award would signify Openreach’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence while affirming their sustainable network development. Zubair emphasized that such recognition would validate their long-term investment strategies and invigorate their teams, instilling confidence among stakeholders. Most importantly, it would enhance Openreach’s reputation, highlighting their role as a leading force in driving digital transformation and reliable connectivity for millions.
What would you say is your company’s proudest achievement over the past year?
Openreach’s standout achievement in 2025 has been the successful expansion of their full fibre broadband network, now serving 20 million homes across the UK. This success showcases their ability to implement technology-driven transformations at scale, reinforcing the UK’s digital backbone with robust, future-ready infrastructure. According to Zubair, this remarkable feat not only drives economic growth but also promotes digital inclusivity and sets new standards for reliability and performance across the industry. The organization’s vision of a unified network platform, supported by updated Network OSS systems, allows them to build and maintain networks more efficiently than ever before.
What have been the biggest challenges of 2025 so far and how have you overcome them? How have your people helped with that?
Openreach faced significant challenges in 2025, particularly in expediting the full fibre rollout while maintaining top-tier service standards. Zubair pointed out that navigating supply chain complexities and adapting to shifting industry requirements demanded agile delivery approaches and advanced digital tools. The organization’s culture of innovation and empowerment was crucial in conquering these hurdles, with the resilience and dedication of their workforce playing a pivotal role in sustaining operational excellence and ensuring seamless connectivity across the UK during challenging times.
How do you think the industry has changed over the past year and what changes do you think it still needs to make?
The UK IT industry is presently undergoing a transformative shift towards open-source, cloud-native, and automated platforms, driven by the principle of sustainability. Zubair stated that Openreach is at the forefront of this evolution, promoting interoperability, leveraging AI for proactive network maintenance, and enhancing cybersecurity to protect the nation’s critical digital framework. He believes ongoing innovation in these sectors is essential to creating a more intelligent, secure, and sustainable digital environment for the UK.
What do you see as the main opportunities for the industry in the coming year? How do you plan to capitalize on those opportunities?
The major opportunities in the coming year include bolstering network security, utilizing AI for smarter optimization, and promoting sustainable practices. Openreach plans to seize these prospects through targeted investments in digital transformation and open-source advancements, alongside nimble solution delivery. Zubair expresses a clear vision: to construct a smarter, greener, and more resilient network that proactively meets the needs of customers and regulatory bodies, ultimately cementing Openreach’s position as a cornerstone of the UK’s digital ecosystem.