Another aspect of network automation relates to network planning and optimization, and there is a move to go beyond SON (self-optimizing networks) and apply AI techniques to create a responsive network which orchestrates physical and virtual resources, and adds a high level of intelligence to the automation. Mirko Voltolini, VP of technology and architecture at Colt’s technology services group, said automation and AI were important areas of development for the enterprise fiber operator. He told the SDN/NFV Congress in The Hague that Colt has created a new AI-driven conceptual platform called Sentio, and is aiming to develop fully automated service management capabilities for network functions such as traffic flow classification, fault prediction, path optimization, capacity management, security, intelligent bandwidth-on-demand, and…