INTERVIEW

After joining KDDI in 2022, Tomoya Ito gained experience in the maintenance and operation of large-scale data collection and analysis platforms, and after strengthening his desire to be involved in the entire process of system development, he joined xGN in his fourth year.
Currently, I am taking on the challenge of dual methods of system development and data science, expanding my career possibilities.

Seeking a growth environment from the “user” side to the “creator” side of the system

At KDDI, I was in charge of developing and maintaining data collection and analysis infrastructure, and I was in charge of large-scale systems that flow large amounts of data every day.

Although it was very rewarding, as I operated in accordance with the existing systems and rules, I became more and more determined to be involved in the process of shaping operations from system design to solving more essential problems.

As a result of consulting with my supervisor, I was transferred to xGN, and I am currently involved in system development to improve the operation of 5G mobile core equipment.

The challenge of 5G equipment is that it is complex to configure and takes time to identify the cause of failure.

Therefore, I have automated analysis work that was previously done manually, such as a mechanism to learn time series data to detect anomalies, and a monitoring app that combines multiple data to automatically present suspected locations in the event of a failure.

We are working to create a system to efficiently find the cause. We can also apply static threshold-based monitoring technology that we have been dealing with in our previous work, so we are able to face development while making use of our previous experience.

In parallel with development, I am also responsible for analyzing statistical data such as traffic obtained from mobile core equipment.

By integrating operations, analysis, and system design, I feel firsthand the possibility of realizing a system that leads to more essential improvements and creating significant value.

Long-awaited new system development experience and challenges in data science

By joining xGN, I was able to take on the challenge of “starting a new system development from scratch”, which is exactly what I wanted.

Through the experience of choosing the best method from multiple means to reach the goal and designing a path while designing one’s own path, rather than following a predetermined procedure, I have acquired the ability to proactively proceed from setting issues, selecting solutions, and implementing them, and I feel that I have grown greatly.

In addition, although it was a challenge from a place where I had little knowledge of data science, I was able to acquire statistical analysis and data processing skills through working with data on mobile devices.

xGN has an environment where you can communicate closely with the person in charge of the mobile core equipment, so if you have any questions, you can quickly get the information you need and learn directly from experts.

In the field of data science, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the background of data, and I feel that an environment where you can directly confirm that knowledge in the field is a major strength that accelerates growth.

The perspective of creating systems and creating new value from data

The sense of speed I feel with xGN is completely different from my previous experience.

Every time you tackle a topic, new challenges arise one after another, and there is no end to it, but there is something interesting about keeping you engrossed in looking for the best approach instead of being chased by a deadline set by someone.

Since joining KDDI, I have had a strong sense of mission in supporting society’s telecommunications infrastructure, but since I came to xGN and started to take more initiative in my work, this desire has deepened even more than before.

In the future, we aim to be a “dual-wielding” human resource who combines both system development and data analysis.

It is because of being here at xGN that we can hone both the perspective of creating next-generation systems that support society and the perspective of extracting new value from data. I would like to continue to grow into a multi-skilled human resource who can contribute to solving a wider range of issues here.