Nokia Networks is launching Operations Support System (OSS) as a Service, enabling operators to shift capital expenditure to operational expenditure for more predictable as well as lower cost. Two OSS tools are being offered as a service: Nokia Performance Manager to help CSPs manage the performance and capacity of 2G, 3G and LTE networks, and Nokia Service Quality Manager which gives CSPs an accurate real-time view of service quality across mobile broadband and IT networks.
OSS as a Service provides greater business agility with deployment in just a few weeks and takes advantage of Nokia’s global best practices. Meanwhile, overall costs can be 19% lower than with conventional business models, because of reduced installation, integration and operational cost.
Hosted by Nokia Networks, the tools are supported by expertise from its Global Delivery Centers to help CSPs evolve their network and service operations. A CSP can choose to take the tools with maintenance and basic services such as Key Quality Indicator (KQI) modelling for Service Quality Manager, for example, or a more comprehensive package that also includes service management for a fully outsourced service operations center. Service management has proven to resolve service quality degradations 20% faster than a network operations centre, the vendor claims.
“Software as a Service models are used widely in the IT industry, but in the telco market most operators still buy software solutions as an upfront investment. We are first to offer telco OSS software and related expertise as a service under our Managed Services banner,” said Amit Dhingra, head of Managed Services at Nokia Networks. “With Nokia OSS as a Service, operators get advanced tools and vital telco know-how to optimize their use, for example KQIs built on our experience of real-life use cases. This launch is in line with Nokia Networks’ strategy to equip operators with a wide range of flexible ‘as a Service’ solutions.”
Jason Marcheck, head of Service Provider infrastructure and services at Current Analysis, added: “As operators look to take advantage of efficiencies that cloud-based networking can offer, hosting models can not only help reduce the disruption of upgrade cycles, but also schedule expenditures to better match the ramp-up in network requirements. However, hosted models are only as good as the remote delivery capabilities of the provider. Here is where Nokia Networks’ experience in delivering managed services from its Global Delivery Centers can help operators mine the full value out of its OSS as a Service model.”
