Insights

Reimagining Connectivity and Trust at Scale with Somos Advisory Board Member Craig Lennon

Jun 09, 2025

At Somos, we believe that advancing trust in communications starts with partnerships bringing together leaders who not only understand the technology but also the ecosystem it supports. As a member of the Somos Advisory Board, Craig Lennon exemplifies that balance. With a career that spans foundational infrastructure, policy influence and platform-scale innovation, Craig offers a unique lens on what it takes to build meaningful, modern connectivity.

For nearly three decades, Craig Lennon has been at the forefront of telecom innovation. His path from the labs of Lucent Technologies to the helm of Google’s voice and messaging infrastructure reflects a deep, evolving commitment to improving how the world connects – not by going at it alone, but by partnering with those in the ecosystem.

Driving Scale Through Strategic Collaboration

Embedded in Google’s mission is the goal of being “universally accessible and useful” — for everyone, everywhere. That kind of reach requires scale and collaboration.

“Google’s mindset is very intentional,” Craig explains. “We constantly ask: Where can we add value directly and where can we partner? We’re deliberate about focusing on what’s essential and then leaning into shared solutions that benefit the broader ecosystem.”

That collaborative ethos drives Google’s engagement in infrastructure partnerships, operational frameworks and standards development and was essential in the company’s long-standing support for Rich Communication Services (RCS). With Apple announcing support for RCS, Craig sees a major inflection point. “It’s the end of the SMS era,” he says. “We’re now on the path to a truly modern, interoperable carrier messaging experience — with the potential to dramatically improve user engagement and business communications at scale.” 

Driving Innovation with Agentic AI

Looking ahead, Craig points to the transformative power of AI in telecom. Beyond efficiencies in infrastructure, he sees immense potential in “Agentic AI” — systems that can autonomously engage across channels to improve interactions and productivity.

“Think of it like the impact that introducing WDM had on optical networks,” he says. “Agentic AI can plug into today’s communication systems and make them exponentially more efficient. It’s a change, not just for consumers, but for the services that rely on these networks.”

Craig’s passion for innovation goes beyond technology — it’s rooted in challenging assumptions and reimagining how we operate within existing frameworks. As a member of the Somos Advisory Board, he contributes to pivotal conversations around trust, numbering and Toll-Free administration, offering not only technical expertise but a forward-looking perspective shaped by experimentation, iteration and long-term vision.

To learn how Craig Lennon and his fellow Somos Advisory Board members are helping keep telecom innovative and at the forefront of digital transformation, visit www.somos.com/about/our-team.