Sponsors Message: Calling for a change – is your BSS ready?
With the right Business Support System (BSS), your company can do more then just keep up with changes in the market. And as the communications landscape evolves at an unprecedented rate, the case for transformation has never been stronger.
Evolving enterprise, increased customer expectations and the “big-data” era are all challenging the systems that manage customers, orders, products and revenues for telecom communication services providers (CSPs).
This paper shares our BSS Vision including insights and trends, what capabilities CSPs need in order to meet the challenges and the solutions to help your company take control of possibilities. What are your thoughts? Let’s start the discussion.
Telecoms software provider OpenCloud has announced a ‘pure’ cloud implementation of its next generation service layer platform.
OpenCloud’s ‘service broker’ and ‘telecom application server’ are designed for deployment on COTS hardware platforms and allow OpenCloud to deliver real-time, carrier grade solutions at IT price-points. However, delivering solutions like this from the cloud can help CSPs reduce costs even further.
The cloud is important for all CSPs however those with networks in multiple countries have the most to gain. Although access and core service infrastructure are required in each location; other capabilities, such as the service layer, could be more economically delivered from the cloud. A single cloud-based service layer supporting all group members delivers valuable economies of scale.
OpenCloud’s research uses Amazon’s EC2 cloud computing solution – ‘straight off the shelf’. David Ferry, CTO at OpenCloud, explains: “We expect the first implementations to be a private-cloud, hosted within the CSPs own data centre; but ultimately hosting will shift to independent public-clouds like Amazon’s. By starting with the end in mind, OpenCloud’s Rhino platform will be better placed to support this evolution and help our customers realise the full benefits of the cloud.”
Currently in OpenCloud’s R&D labs, OpenCloud plans to productise some of this learning in early 2012 to help address the initial demand for private-cloud solutions.
KT enlists Syniverse help for GSM/WCDMA roaming support services
Syniverse has announced a major new contract with top-tier South Korean operator, KT (KT Corporation). This is a multi-year agreement for data and financial clearing services, fraud detection, and roaming agreement management – all of which are compatible with LTE standards that will help the operator as it transitions to 4G. This new agreement paves the way for the company to support KT’s future path to 4G, and is said by Syniverse to be a milestone in its continued expansion in the advanced mobile market of South Korea.
“Syniverse’s best-in-class solutions, outstanding regional support teams and culture of innovation reinforced the decision to strengthen our relationship,” said Seokjun Kim, PhD, vice president, Mobile Business Group, KT. “We are confident these core Syniverse services will enable us to deliver the best possible roaming experience for our customers now, while ensuring we are prepared for the introduction of 4G and beyond.”
Among the solutions selected by KT are Data Clearing House for GSM / WCDMA; Financial Clearing House for GSM / WCDMA; DataNet, a Near Real-Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) solution; knowledge-based fraud detection system, FraudX; and Roaming Management Services.
This KT contract adds to Syniverse’s growing momentum in the Asia-Pacific region where the company serves more than 180 customers, including some of the largest Tier 1 mobile operators.
Vodafone Global Enterprise, the subsidiary that manages Vodafone’s largest multinational customers communications, is acquiring European IT and communications consultancy, Bluefish Communications Ltd, to strengthen its professional services arm.
Bluefish will form the nucleus of a new Unified Communications and Collaboration practice within Vodafone Global Enterprise, which will focus on advising multinational companies on how to get the most from their mobile, fixed line and IT services, as well as offering guidance on the adoption of cloud services. The practice will also advise large corporate customers on how new collaboration services, such as video conferencing and presence awareness, can boost their business’s performance.
The acquisition will expand Bluefish’s geographical reach as it becomes part of Vodafone Global Enterprise’s global network. The value of the gross assets being acquired is £3.14m (EUR 3.66m). Further services on offer to Vodafone’s multinational customers will now include:
An audit of existing infrastructure and future communication needs
Advice on moving to a communications strategy that spans mobile, fixed line and IT, and
Management of system integrators and vendors to ensure an effective and unified communications network closely aligned to business strategy.
Nick Jeffery, CEO of Vodafone Global Enterprise, said: “The acquisition of Bluefish further develops our expertise in unified communications and broadens the range of services we can offer to our multinational customers. Having the right information at the right time, in the right place, has never been more important to business success and this acquisition will enhance our ability to advise multinationals on how to maximise value from their communications.” MDS Lavastorm Analytics launches Lavastorm BillAnalyzer 7.2 for UC
Subex reveals results of global operator survey on Data Integrity
Subex Ltd, an India-based provider of business support systems (BSS) and Heavy Reading, an independent research organisation, have conducted an in-depth global survey based on responses from 95 global operators, to understand the problems operators face with their data quality and data integrity.
The survey highlights some critical benchmarks in the data integrity management space. It also reflects how CSPs lack substantial investment in data integrity.
According to the 2011 Analysys Mason Report, the global market for data integrity management (DIM) will reach $137m by 2014 from $98m in 2010.
A few highlights of the findings are:
Six out of every 10 operators experience up to 30% order fallouts
The main reasons for high order fallout are too many manual steps and too many siloed processes and process views
The majority of operators still feel more than 20% of their inventory data is out of sync with the network
Approximately 50% of operators still use ad hoc manual audits to keep inventory data in sync with the network
The report shows trends and results across geographies, with results for five major regions: North America, Europe, South America, Asia/Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. It takes into consideration the fact that results vary across the globe, as operators and their demands are specific to their own region.
On average, North America emerges as a region that uses maximum automation in processes, while Asia/Pacific shows maximum synchronisation between network and inventory data.
Value-added services generating US$60bn at end of 2010, says Point Topic
John Bosnell, Senior Analyst, Point Topic
According to the broadband analyst firm, Point Topic, value-added services (VAS), such as security, Voice Over IP (VoIP) and IPTV, added almost 37% to the basic broadband subscription during 2010. This means that Broadband Value-Added Services (BVAS) generated an extra US$10.20 on top of the $28 monthly broadband subscription charge.
In aggregate terms, total broadband access revenues increased from a run rate of $129 billion at the end of 2009 to $157 billion at the end of 2010. This increase in total broadband access revenues of 14% is based on using a monthly broadband cost of $28 for a broadband subscription at the end of 2010.
John Bosnell, senior analyst at Point Topic, explains: “These results suggest a levelling in value-added services and demonstrate that broadband add-ons are not growing as fast as they were, despite continued growing revenues.” During the same period, total value-added service revenues increased from a rate of $48.8 billion at the end of 2009 to $57.5 billion at the end of 2010.
In terms of revenue earned, Point Topic estimates that VoIP is the most valuable service. VoIP revenues (not including Skype) ran at a rate of just over $17 billion at the end of 2010, with 120 million VoIP subscribers. These revenues come from subscribers using ‘full service’ VoIP, with the IP service offering a substitution for PSTN.
‘Elephant in the room’ during talk of NSN restructuring is loss of 17,000+ jobs
Rajeev Suri, CEO Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) may have spent last week trying to emphasise the positive aspects of its re-structuring plans that will put mobile broadband at the heart of its strategy, but the ‘elephant in the room’ throughout these discussions has been the awful news on a human level of at least 17,000 job losses (23% of the workforce). And judging by analyst comments, the elephant may be larger than initially stated.
Rajeev Suri, Nokia Siemens Networks, CEO announced three elements of future strategy on 23 November: that from now NSN would focus on the mobile network infrastructure and services markets; deliver significant cuts in operating costs and production overheads; and finally, plan a “global workforce reduction of approximately 17,000 jobs”. This follows a round of 5,000 job cuts announced by NSN in a 2009 reorganisation, prior to Suri becoming CEO.
“We believe that the future of our industry is in mobile broadband and services – and we aim to be an undisputed leader in these areas,” said Rajeev Suri, chief executive officer of Nokia Siemens Networks. “At the same time, we need to take the necessary steps to maintain long-term competitiveness and improve profitability in a challenging telecommunications market.”
But, as Ray Le Maistre of Light Reading points out (25 November, 2011) the number of jobs lost is likely to exceed 17,000 if — as NSN plans — it is able to divest itself of under-performing business sectors that no longer fit within its strategic plan. Foremost among these might be the ailing firm’s business support systems (BSS) line.
EXFO Inc. has launched the new BrixHawk Distributed Analyzer for live mobile network troubleshooting, network service optimisation and to speed up LTE / 3G network roll-outs. This distributed analyser bridges EXFO’s analyser and service assurance product families, providing seamless scalability to address customers’ testing needs and volumes change.
BrixHawk DA provides customers with a real-time protocol analyser that clearly shows the quality of experience (QoE) of the end-user. Having all the relevant KPIs (key performance indicators) in real time and using integrated deep packet inspection (DPI), BrixHawk DA enables network equipment manufacturers and mobile network operators to perform more advanced user-plane analysis — resulting in faster troubleshooting of QoE issues.
The BrixHawk DA is the latest member to EXFO’s network analysis and monitoring product family. The modular architecture enables ease of scalability of the BrixHawk DA system so that the customer only invests as needed. If the customer later wishes to build a 24/7 network monitoring solution, BrixHawk SA, the BrixHawk DA system, enables seamless scalability and re-use of technology investment and know-how.
“BrixHawk DA enables the test engineer to easily and clearly visualise the network, call and service quality,” said Matti Palomäki, vice-president of EXFO’s Wireless Division. “It empowers engineers to quickly identify network errors and can be used in network labs for troubleshooting a live network.”
New service aims to give roaming managers real-time network insight
The network value added services company, Evolved Intelligence, has launched a new service that gives commercial and technical managers real-time insight into their roaming network. SS7 Roaming INSIGHT gives managers a range of real-time information feeds including traffic volume, anti-steering detection, blocked subscriber analysis, SMS fraud detection, MSU accounting and inbound roamer analysis.
This information is provided through an online dashboard which can be configured with a range of “widgets” to suit the job function and interests of each user. Real time alarms can also be set against individual key performance indicators and alert users via email or SMS. SS7 Roaming INSIGHT also supports “drill down” issue analysis and provides reports on long term trends.
Robin Burton, the head of marketing at Evolved Intelligence said: “SS7 Roaming INSIGHT provides the essential information you need to run your roaming business more effectively. It can help you to get more roaming traffic, achieve better roaming margins and reduce fraud. Essentially, this is an extension of the roaming health check that we have been offering to operators over the last two years.
Formed in 2007, Evolved Intelligence is based in Bristol, UK and its team has long experience in delivering Intelligent Network services. The Evolved Intelligence team is also a pioneer in the use of the JAIN platform and of Agile Development methodology.
Europe’s location-based service revenues to reach €435m by 2016
According to a new research report by Berg Insight, mobile location-based service (LBS) revenues in Europe are forecast to grow from €205 million in 2010 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% to reach €435 million in 2016.
Berg Insight estimates that 20% of all mobile subscribers in Europe already use some kind of location-enhanced application on a regular basis. Local search, social networking and navigation services are the top application categories in terms of number of users. The social networking category is forecast to experience the highest growth in the coming years.
In North America, the larger installed base of GPS-enabled handsets and smartphones has enabled higher uptake of LBS. Berg Insight estimates that about one third of mobile subscribers now access LBS on a regular basis. Navigation apps have become especially popular in North America. However, intensifying competition in the navigation segment will, it is said, lead to declining revenues in the next few years.
The total North American LBS market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.3% from US$620 million in 2010 to reach US$710 million in 2016. The installed base of GPS handsets in Europe has reached 35% of total handsets and surpassed 70% in North America.
The revenue model for many mobile apps in the consumer segment is shifting from premium fees to advertisement-funding. This is also the case for LBS where navigation services are now also becoming free for end users, and developers monetise their offerings through ads and various service bundles. However, revenues may not grow at the same rate as usage since the mobile advertising ecosystem is still in its infancy. It will take some years before a successful model has been established that allows advertisers to reach a critical mass of active users. This is especially true for emerging location-based advertising.
Comms recruitment specialist Kineticom rebrand to Identify Networks
Jason Bandy, Director, iDentify Group
Rob Shaw, joint managing director of Identify Networks, explained: “Identify Networks’ recruitment services are designed to meet the talent needs of those creating next generation networks. The foundation of our business has always been the significant relationships and the people networks we create, and the Identify Networks brand syncs more closely with the broader group vision and the markets that we serve.”
Jason Bandy added: “2011 has been a record year for us and this success has enabled Identify Networks to invest in a number of ways. We have significantly increased the size of our delivery workforce, established a training academy for our next generation of recruiters, created a contractor care team and deployed state of the art IT systems. This exciting rebrand is a significant step forward for us and will help us to connect more intimately with the talent networks we serve.”
Australia’s AAPT replaces legacy wholesale billing system with Comverse BSS
David Yulie, CEO AAPT
Australian operator, AAPT has replaced its legacy wholesale billing system with Comverse BSS, reportedly lowering operating costs and opening up new voice and data service possibilities for its users. This replacement is the final stage of AAPT’s billing operations consolidation to Comverse BSS.
AAPT is one of Australia’s leading telecoms companies, offering local and long distance voice, mobile, data and internet services for business, government and wholesale customers, via its extensive national fibre network. AAPT is 100% owned by Telecom New Zealand, New Zealand’s largest listed company and one of the top 20 largest listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange. AAPT is also one of only three Australian telcos to own and operate a national voice and data network.
“Based on our successful long-standing partnership with Comverse, we decided to retire our legacy system and move our retail and wholesale customers to the Comverse BSS solution,” said David Yuile, CEO, AAPT. “The solution has saved us money by simplifying the complexities of multi-play rating, freeing us to create attractive packages and promotions with minimal effort and quick time to market. This enhances the user experience for all of our business, government and now wholesale customers.”
Optimised for convergent markets, Comverse BSS delivers flexible and powerful customer management, ordering, billing and revenue-generation applications. It gives communication service providers (CSPs) the tools to manage every aspect of the customer lifecycle – from acquisition through order management to charging and up-sell – regardless of service: fixed, mobile, data, content, cloud-based, and M2M.
Policy is set to play a major role in mobile’s future, but which flavor of policy succeeds remains an open question. Thus far, the costly, network-heavy approach to policy is not delivering the goods. Real world success stories are few and operators doubt whether service throttling can win the hearts of subscribers.
This paper points to a wider view of policy, presenting details of a live deployment in Africa which proves that low-cost, fast insertion policy approaches that leverage dynamic pricing and low-tech discount offers can be highly effective, especially for second and third operators in a market who wish to grow market their market share aggressively.

Download this whitepaper now and understand how policy should go beyond punishing users and embrace low cost, incentive-driven policy and pricing. http://vanillaplus.com/register.special.php?cid=5
Satellites are rapidly gaining prominence in the world of cellular communication. However, the full extent of their potential to complement terrestrial networks as well as phone services and broadband is
The Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) has announced that its OSIA specification is recognised as international standard by the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). This milestone establishes OSIA as
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