Who is Maikel?

A reliable network today is as essential as electricity or water. Businesses depend on it not only for their daily operations but also for the innovations of tomorrow. Behind this infrastructure lies craftsmanship: from smart designs to close collaboration with partners, governments, and contractors. Telecom Consultant Maikel Put explains how his combination of technical expertise and coordination helps build networks that truly advance businesses.

The power of fiber

The impact of such a network is visible not only in businesses but also in everyday life. Imagine a patient being operated on in a Belgian hospital by a specialist who is physically in Japan. Thanks to ultra fast fiber connections, the surgeon can operate with millisecond precision via a robotic arm without delay or image lag. This is not science fiction. It is the type of application technology is already evolving toward today.

Even closer to home, the demand for capacity is growing rapidly. Every two to four years, the data consumption of an average household doubles. Ten years ago, we streamed in HD. Today it is 4K or 8K. Gamers no longer download files of 2 GB but 150 GB. This evolution requires networks that are not only faster but also sustainable and scalable enough to support the next wave of innovation.

From initial designs to leadership roles

My first major project was with a network operator, where I spent eight years working on the launch and expansion of their fiber network. Initially, I was the only fiber designer. As the scope grew, I helped set up a team and trained new colleagues. Later, I worked on projects for other clients including Brussels and Wallonia, where I coordinated designs and ensured the quality of submitted plans.

These experiences taught me that collaboration is key to successful networks. You can have the strongest technical plan, but if communication between teams or partners breaks down, efficiency is lost. That is why I now focus as much on coordination and knowledge sharing as on technical work.

A new challenge: from designer to coordinator

Soon I will start with a new client in Flanders as an HLD (High Level Design) Coordinator. In this role I bring together municipalities, partners and internal teams to smoothly coordinate network adjustments or expansions.

My job is to complete the puzzle before the first spade hits the ground. I identify bottlenecks, align solutions and ensure all information is available on time. Thanks to my design background, I understand the technical impact of every decision. My main value today lies in connecting people, processes and technology.

Growing into project management

Stepping into coordination is also a step toward project management. I had expressed that ambition at Pauwels Consulting and they actively supported me. Through training programs via Cevora and Udemy for Business, I deepened my skills in people management, stakeholder management and conflict resolution.

This support is typical of Pauwels Consulting. They invest not only in projects but also in people. The new role I am taking on now is the best proof of that.

Building the network of tomorrow

In telecom we rarely work on what is needed today. We build what will be indispensable tomorrow. Next generation fiber, such as hollow fiber where light travels through air, can make connections up to 50 percent faster and more reliable. For businesses, this means not only higher speeds but also less latency, greater capacity and a stable foundation for digital innovation.

Think of autonomous vehicles communicating in real time, smart factories with thousands of sensors or healthcare applications where every millisecond counts. A future ready network delivers more than connectivity:

• It scales with your organization’s growing data needs

• It reduces costs through more efficient design and maintenance

• It accelerates innovation because technology becomes a driver instead of a constraint

What the numbers show

The trend is clear and measurable. By September 2024, 269 million homes in Europe had fiber connections to the building or residence, representing 74.6 percent coverage and a 53 percent adoption rate. Europe aims for gigabit connectivity for all households and 5G coverage in all inhabited areas by 2030. In Belgium, fiber adoption is steadily increasing, with over 500,000 users last year and a market share of about 11 percent.

Besides speed and capacity, fiber offers a sustainability advantage. Fiber networks consume 21 to 77 percent less energy than copper networks, with mobile application savings ranging from 16 to 54 percent (source: FTTH Council Europe, European FTTH/B Market Panorama 2024, and European Parliamentary Research Service, A Future Proof Network for the EU: Full Fibre and 5G, 2024).

Knowing that what we design today becomes the foundation for the next generation of applications motivates me every day.

Why I feel at home at Pauwels Consulting

The reason I have stayed at Pauwels Consulting for years is simple. The personal approach matters. When my daughter was born, I needed a larger car. It was not standard in my role, but it was arranged anyway. Gestures like this show you are not just a number.

I also value the regular contact with my Talent Manager Melina and Account Manager Kenneth. They check in at a pace that suits me without pressure. The events, from training sessions to family days, ensure you feel part of the organization even while working at the client site.