Managing Complexity, the OSS-BSS Way - Part 1

By Zia Askari

As next generation telecom operators are engaged in expanding their networks, they are introducing complex services which require intertwining of multiple set of platforms and operations into their networks. OSS (operations support system) and BSS (business support system) is fast becoming the hinge on which future growth of operators is going to rely upon.  

Whether it is voice based services or data driven applications, WiFi hotspot or WiFi offloading, or in-vehicle 4G LTE driven communications, operators are increasingly expanding their networks and introducing complex services on multiple platforms to meet today’s growing data demand. These technological changes at the core level of the network have meant that integration of services and revenue tracking mechanism on networks has become more challenging for operators. In such a situation, the OSS and BSS, face a number of challenges in supporting operators to provide an enhanced experience at low costs.

Sanjay Sharma, Regional Vice President & Head, Amdocs South West Asia opines that that 4G LTE is going to be a big game changer as there are more than 240 networks in 92 countries that have gone for LTE and moving forward more and more mobile data will be on LTE.

“As operators continue to invest in 4G, they are looking for better monetization opportunities. Small cells and carrier grade WiFi deployments are expected to carry more than 60 per cent of all mobile network data traffic by 2020, equaling to $ 352 Billion in mobile data service revenue. Moving forward, large scale availability of connected devices will stimulate usage and increase adoption for multi-play, but operators need to harness data and maximize on data revenue streams.” he added.

According to Dhaval Vora, VP, Product Management, Elitecore Technologies, the telecom industry is witnessing a rapid transformation with the onset of next-generation communication technologies like 3G and 4G/LTE, which are creating exponential subscriber demand for higher data speeds and personalization in services.

“Sustainable growth in the OSS/BSS segment will largely be driven by operators deploying solutions for Next-generation offerings with the focus on standardization, modular and pre-integrated approach. Today’s OSS/BSS solutions must handle the complexities of integrations, authentication, billing & revenue management, customer care, etc., thereby improving the user experience,” he explains.

Speaking about the specific OSS/BSS needs of the operators, Dan Stern, VP Sales, Alepo Technologies, explains that today’s customers are expecting great quality of experience with real time interactions and at the operator level, OSS/BSS must adapt to serve this kind of demand coming in from customers.

“We see a lot of growth coming from the mobile data revolution. On the access network side, it translates into 3G deployments, 4G deployments, Wi-Fi monetization and offload projects. On the service side, Video, VAS and OTT are the key players,” he adds on.

With the emergence of 4G, there is going to be an increasing pressure on operators to better monetize their data consumptions and this is where next generation OSS and BSS can play a vital role.

Talking about the need for adoption of next generation OSS and BSS solutions, Adrian Scrase, Head of Mobile Competence Center 3GPP and  CTO, ETSI said that moving forward operators need to better equip themselves to handle data monetization and having a true next generation ready OSS and BSS would surely help.

“As we move towards next generation of telecom services, data is increasingly gaining importance and with the emergence of new age services, operators need to incorporate OSS and BSS solutions that can safeguard their investments and help them towards creating a better understanding of their customers as well,” he added.

In such fast paced change oriented communication scenario, a key challenge for OSS and BSS providers in a content-driven environment is to continuously help service providers in effectively managing the growing complexity of data traffic on their network.

And as 4G and LTE scenario emergences ahead, more and more OSS and BSS solutions need to support high speed data services like unified communications and high-definition video, in-car communications involving real time communications and other digital media applications.

Additionally, this avalanche of data will also have to factor in different set of network scenarios in the form of cloud, FTTx, Microcell, Metrocell, Femtocell, Wifi-Hotpot etc. In such scenario, future proofing of operator investment will come from incorporating next generation ready OSS and BSS solutions.

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