Thought Leaders 2025: Miroslav "Miki" Vuruna

What growth opportunities do you predict for your industry in 2025?

Firstly, 5G networks will continue to be rolled out, as faster and more reliable connectivity is required for enhanced mobile broadband, IoT and smart cities. Our wide range of connectivity products will support this activity, as well as developing novel solutions for futureproofing the network.

Products for fixed wireless access (FWA) will also be developed as an alternative to traditional wired broadband. This technology relies on 5G networks to provide high-speed internet access in areas where optical fibre is not available or feasible to install.

Thirdly, there is high demand for efficient cooling technologies and the need to reduce energy consumption in data centres. Opportunities exist to develop advanced cooling technologies, such as immersion/liquid cooling, or free cooling.

What are the three biggest challenges or threats facing your industry in 2025?

1. Rising geopolitical risks and the escalation of trade wars between the USA, China and Western countries.
2. Global economic uncertainties which may cause sudden changes in industry regulations and local policies.
3. Rapid advances in technology, such as the rollout of 5G and the integration of AI, are both opportunities and challenges. Telecom companies must continuously innovate to stay competitive, which requires significant investment in R&D and new technologies.

What plans does your company have in terms of the energy transition, electrification and replacement of gas?

In 2020, Warren & Brown Technologies (WBT) signed up as a member of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and annually, the company reports on its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions from its assembly plant and head office in Melbourne. The Carbon Disclosure Project reporting module has placed WBT in the top 22% of similar organisations in the Oceania region, which is also comparable to the global average for similar companies.

Approximately 70% of our emissions come from the goods and services we purchase for our own operations as well as subcontracting services. To drive the transition to a low-carbon economy through our relationships with suppliers, we are developing a supplier engagement plan.

How is your company tracking with its net zero emissions by 2050 targets?

WBT is committed to transitioning to a low-carbon economy and promoting sustainable growth as a fundamental aspect of our business. As we reach a critical juncture in addressing climate change, it is essential that we persist in our efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Our climate transition plan outlines our GHG emissions reduction targets, our net zero commitment and the key strategies we will implement to achieve these goals. WBT is dedicated to ambitious climate action, aiming to achieve net zero emissions across our value chain by 2050, supported by science-based GHG emissions reduction targets.

What resource recovery initiatives are your company planning to implement in 2025?

Helping clients lower their emissions is the most substantial contribution we can make. Through innovative designs and guidance, we can significantly influence the reduction, avoidance or mitigation of their emissions, which often exceed WBT’s own emissions by a large margin.

Key strategies for managing value chain emissions include: establishing supply chain engagement programs to educate partners on measuring and managing GHG emissions, while assisting suppliers in setting and reaching their own climate science-aligned goals; conducting life cycle assessments for specific products and services to generate detailed information that contributes to emissions footprint calculations; and compiling data to bolster resilience strategies in response to growing shocks and vulnerabilities within global supply chains.

How will your company step up its cybersecurity in 2025?

Over the past few years, we have implemented a variety of technologies to enhance our cybersecurity posture. Additionally, we operate a 24/7 Security Operations Centre that monitors our platforms, devices and users.

We believe that technology and processes are crucial components of our security strategy. In the coming months and year, we will place greater emphasis on educating our staff about cybersecurity, phishing and other threats that may impact them both personally and professionally. Our employees are our most valuable asset in maintaining cybersecurity.

Miroslav “Miki” Vuruna is a skilled mechanical engineer with a diverse background, ranging from military engineering in Bosnia to developing cutting-edge telecommunications solutions in Australia. With over 20 years at Warren & Brown, Miki has played a key role in innovations in cable storage systems and fibre-optic technology, currently serving as the Research and Development Engineering Manager. His work has significantly contributed to the company’s success, including the development of industry-leading fibre-optic storage solutions.