Service providers need to partner with enterprise customers to help them transform their businesses. That requires service providers to transform themselves.

To help meet those needs, MEF18 recently wrapped up its annual event in Los Angeles, where programming focused on enabling agile, assured and orchestrated communications services for the digital economy.

In the first of a two-part series, MEF18 sponsors and key members of the organization discuss industry trends and emerging technologies that are shaping the market and how they address their customers' needs.

We spoke with Roman Pacewicz, chief product officer, AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T); Shahar Steiff, AVP New Technologies, PCCW Ltd. (NYSE: PCW; Hong Kong: 0008); and Eric Cevis, senior vice president and group president, Verizon Partner Solutions.

MEF: What are the top service capabilities your enterprise and/or wholesale customers are looking for in this era of digital transformation?

Steiff: Customers are looking for speed of delivery, automation wherever possible, diversity of options while maintaining simplicity of ordering.