Enabled by 5G deployments, increased cloud adoption, and higher uptake of AI, Metaverse & Edge, the telecom industry is entering an era of accelerated change. Undoubtedly, the next wave of business value creation for CSPs will be driven by new waves of technology, new ways of working, and new ways of engaging with customers. To adapt to this new reality, CSPs need to be able to quickly deploy new services that meet the changing needs of their customers.
As a result, many are turning to the cloud to deploy and scale offerings quickly while reducing costs. Cloud-based business support systems (BSS) can provide the agility and flexibility CSPs need to stay ahead of the competition. With cloud-based BSS, CSPs can provide a more customised customer experience, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty, which can ultimately help CSPs increase revenue.
The shift from rigid and functionally limited BSS to a multi-vendor and multi-edge environment
The adoption of a software-centric operations framework requires an agile cloud BSS platform to swiftly respond to market changes and new opportunities. One that enable CSPs to embrace a leaner, more agile, and intelligent infrastructure to serve as the company’s backbone.
The question is, how ready are CSPs to transition from transactional BSS to an automated cloud one? Could the existing BSS architecture support the potential exponential growth?
Considering the traditional legacy infrastructure was built keeping CSPs as “connectivity providers” with a direct, one-to-one relationship with customers in mind, and not meant for complex business models for the digital economy. Comviva’s latest report, The Next Digital Rush, highlights that 79% of CSPs surveyed are likely to consider a software-as-a-service model for their BSS modernisation. A cloud-native architecture will help CSPs become more agile and flexible in targeting new opportunities in the digital economy.
Challenges ahead
Despite the clear benefits of moving to a cloud-based BSS platform, many CSPs are still hesitant to make the transition due to security concerns. Moreover, many CSPs are not confident about managing hyperscalers, creating a fear of over-reliance on major cloud providers. This dependence could put CSPs at a significant disadvantage if the cloud provider were to change the terms of service. In response to these concerns, many are now taking a more diversified approach to their cloud strategies. To avoid vendor lock-in, CSPs should choose a cloud provider that offers flexibility and provides the ability to switch between providers easily. By working with multiple providers, CSPs can mitigate the risks associated with any one provider and better position themselves to take advantage of the ever-changing cloud landscape.
Telcos that rethink their technology foundation to reimagine the customer experience and restructure their business model are most likely to capture the burgeoning next digital wave. Cloud-based BSS is the future of the telecommunications industry. CSPs that don’t migrate to the cloud will be at a competitive disadvantage. By carefully selecting a provider, creating a comprehensive migration plan, and partnering with a trusted partner, CSPs can overcome these challenges and successfully migrate to the cloud BSS.
