At Mobile World Congress 2024, we marked five years of 5G. Over these five years, the industry has gone through a dramatic transformation. Not only was the resilience and reliability of the industry put under the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic but also the ability to adapt to new opportunities rose to the fore. And no other area is this truer than for the Business Support Systems (BSS) arena.
Initially designed to cater primarily to major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and traditional telecommunications services, BSS now extends its capabilities to light Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), tier 1 MNOs, and new market entrants targeting specific technologies or niche segments. This evolution reflects the industry’s shift towards flexible, off-the-shelf solutions that can be customized and deployed across various platforms, including on-premises, cloud, and as-a-service. This versatility is essential in an era where communication service providers (CSPs) must navigate the complexities of a competitive market, rapid technological advancements, and the constant pressure on average revenue per user (ARPU).
The paradigm shift in monetization strategies is another facet of the BSS evolution. Traditionally focused on Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) models, the value chain has now expanded to include the B2B2X enterprise model. This model demands support for a broader spectrum of market segments and introduces new account management challenges, particularly with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT). In the 2024 edition of the GSMA’s Mobile Economy report, it is estimated that IoT connections will reach over 15 billion in two years, far surpassing the 6.3 billion unique mobile subscribers expected by 2030. The exponential growth of IoT and the change in profile of what a ‘subscriber’ is has led to a whole new ecosystem of devices and stakeholders, servicing traditional and new data bearers, subscribers, services, and settlement with numerous wholesale partners. Amidst these changes, the role of BSS has become critical in enabling CSPs to not only devise technical solutions but also to monetize these innovations effectively.
Addressing the needs of niche markets presents both challenges and opportunities for BSS players. The goal is to create a unified solution capable of meeting the demands of diverse MNOs, MVNOs, and MVNEs, whether they are low-cost, all-digital, or focused on the enterprise market with specialized wholesale offers and billing services. This approach requires strategic investment in BSS to enhance services for existing customers, while also capturing new market opportunities. By offering scalable solutions, CSPs can start with a limited feature set and expand as their needs grow, ensuring they can adapt to market demands without the need for constant system overhauls.
At the heart of this strategy is the integration of BSS with other critical systems, including Operational Support Systems(OSS) and Value-Added Services (encompassing mobile messaging and services), through software solutions like Enghouse Networks’ platform. This integration goes beyond traditional boundaries, offering a deployment-agnostic and configurable software architecture that aligns with the dynamic needs of today’s telecommunications industry.
Mobile World Congress 2024 put out a rallying call for the industry to ‘connect everything’ in a way that is more adaptable, automated, and cost-efficient so that we can fast-track the development of new solutions and consumers. The evolution of BSS is a testament to the telecommunications sector’s relentless pursuit of innovation and customer satisfaction. By embracing flexible, customizable, and integrated solutions, CSPs can navigate the challenges of an increasingly competitive and technologically complex market. The future of BSS lies in its ability to adapt, evolve, and continue to play a critical role in revolutionizing connectivity for businesses and consumers alike.
Contact us for more information about Enghouse Networks’ BSS platform or to schedule your personalized demo.
