About
From the network layer to the boardroom.
I started in the network layer, routing SMS traffic for mobile operators, and worked my way up through operations, product and the executive floor. Everything I believe about the future of communication comes from those twelve years.
I have configured the routing, escalated the outages at 3 a.m., built a 24/7 support function, owned a platform roadmap, run operations across emerging markets and signed the P&L. That is not a career-ladder story — it is the reason I think about artificial intelligence as a new layer of infrastructure rather than a feature to bolt on. When you have watched platforms fail because something was added instead of designed for, you stop being impressed by demos.
Today I lead a telecom and CPaaS business that connects mobile operators and enterprises across emerging markets: messaging, voice, identity and, increasingly, AI agents that do not just answer customers but act on their behalf. I hold a BS in Information Systems Management with a minor in Computer Science, an Executive MBA from the Lebanese American University, and Udacity's AI Product Manager credential. I work between Beirut and Dubai.
Outside the day job, I write. My aim is simple: to be useful to the operators, enterprises and builders who are deciding, right now, what their customer communication will look like in five years — and to be wrong in public often enough to learn something.
What I work on
- Carrier-grade messaging & voice
- A2P routing, operator interconnects, delivery quality and the economics underneath them.
- Platform operations at scale
- Running always-on infrastructure for operators and enterprises across multiple markets.
- Product & API-first architecture
- Turning operator and enterprise needs into event-driven, programmable platforms.
- AI agents in customer communication
- Where agentic AI is real, where it is a demo, and what infrastructure it actually needs.
Education & credentials
- DegreeBS in Information Systems ManagementMinor in Computer Science
- Executive MBALebanese American University
- CredentialAI Product ManagerUdacity
- LanguagesArabic · English · Français
- Based inBeirut · Dubai
Frequently asked
About Ali Sabbagh, in brief
Who is Ali Sabbagh?
Ali Sabbagh is a telecom and CPaaS executive based between Beirut and Dubai. He started in the network layer routing SMS traffic for mobile operators, worked his way up through operations, product and the executive floor, and today leads a telecom and CPaaS business connecting mobile operators and enterprises across emerging markets. He writes about conversational commerce, agentic AI and where telecom goes next.
What does Ali Sabbagh specialise in?
Carrier-grade messaging and voice (A2P routing, operator interconnects, delivery quality and the economics underneath them), platform operations at scale, product and API-first architecture, and AI agents in customer communication.
What are Ali Sabbagh's qualifications?
A BS in Information Systems Management with a minor in Computer Science, an Executive MBA from the Lebanese American University, and Udacity's AI Product Manager credential. He speaks Arabic, English and French.
Where has Ali Sabbagh been featured?
Khaleej Times and Al Bayan (GITEX Global, Dubai, 2023), Gulf Business (GB Talks), TahawulTech (GITEX Global 2022), Dubai One television, and the Bharat CXO podcast series.
How can I invite Ali Sabbagh to speak or request an interview?
Use the contact page at alisabbagh.com/contact.html or email ali@alisabbagh.com. He speaks on conversational commerce in the Gulf and emerging markets, agentic AI, what operators still own that OTT players cannot copy, running a carrier-grade platform business, RCS/WhatsApp/SMS, and the path from network engineer to the boardroom.