Digital transformation has permeated just about every industry. Shipping ports are incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as drones, autonomous vehicles, and inventory tracking, while farming utilizes monitoring and measurement systems to optimize crop yields. Based on the Foundry research findings, most organizations (93%) have either already embraced or are actively planning to implement a digital-first business strategy.
In the telecommunications industry, the digital transformation has led to significant investments in broadband and wireless infrastructure to enable more robust connectivity, including technological shifts bringing forth the emergence of 5G and the broader adoption of cloud-native technologies. Service providers must recognize the importance of integrating digital technologies as they play a pivotal role in reshaping industries and delivering enhanced communication services that go far beyond the ‘dumb pipe’ of the past. Let’s examine the major trends and their impact on BSS/OSS systems.
The Role of IoT in Digital Transformation
The Internet of Things (IoT) is one aspect that is playing a crucial role in driving digital transformation across various industries, bringing automation, remote monitoring, business optimization, and more. For example, first responders use IoT-type probes to monitor air quality in situations like the recent Canadian wildfires. Other safety operations can remotely monitor and address safety concerns in areas such as mining operations. The North American market is projected to significantly increase IoT connections, with an expected 5.4 billion by 2025. The proliferation of IoT necessitates robust support for scalable connectivity and further emphasizes the importance of communication service providers adapting to IoT-driven transformations.
Investment in Broadband Infrastructure
An emerging trend is the substantial investment in broadband infrastructure, including 5G technology and fiber-based broadband services for both residential communities and businesses. The scale of funding dedicated to broadband is significant, as exemplified by investments such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the United States, which allocated $65 billion specifically for broadband initiatives. Moreover, various federal, state, regional, and municipal programs across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world demonstrate a widespread recognition of the value and benefits of a robust broadband infrastructure in facilitating and enabling digital transformation.
Technological Shifts and the Advent of 5G
One of the major technological shifts seen is in the deployment of 5G networks, which has introduced us to a new way of looking at our core networks. 5G embraces a software-driven approach with the intent to serve multiple attributes and abilities in a more flexible, agile, and scalable manner. Communication service providers are transitioning from traditional telecommunications companies to technology facilitators to meet the variety of specialized needs across industries. Digital transformation has become much more multifaceted with the introduction of 5G services, hyperscale companies like AWS and Microsoft, cloud infrastructures, post-pandemic demographics, and vertical-specific applications. This is an opportunity for communications service providers to transform their organizations through new business relationships, investments in research and development, and the innovation needed to build a data-driven, automated, and customer-centric organization.
53% of survey respondents indicate 5G service adoption (including private networks) as having the biggest impact on their digital transformation.
Watch our latest Light Reading webinar, “Who Cares About Cloud? What Service Providers Really Need in Service Assurance.”
The Power of Cloud-native Technology
Cloud technology is often discussed in relation to public cloud platforms like AWS and software-as-a-service models. However, cloud-native technologies go beyond that by embracing new architectural styles like microservices and containerization, which enhance the flexibility and agility of software deployments. This enables systems to be deployed on various platforms utilizing virtual machines or physical hardware, operating within public, private, or hybrid cloud environments. The advantages of this new software development approach include improved availability, performance optimization through independent scaling of system components, enhanced security, and cost efficiency through optimal hardware utilization. Additionally, a microservices architecture allows for the rapid composition of different components, facilitating the quick delivery of specific features. A recent TM Forum survey of communication service providers emphasizes that adopting cloud-native technology brings benefits such as increased business agility, innovation, faster time to market, reduced operating costs, and the ability to meet customer demands for cloud-based experiences and personalization.
Implications for BSS/OSS
In the context of digital transformation, agility, flexibility, and scalability become key attributes of business support systems (BSS) and operational support systems (OSS). The trend is shifting from building stovepipe systems towards horizontal solutions that blur the line between BSS and OSS, favoring composable solutions that enable the rapid availability of specific components. A composable system enables a service provider to independently scale to achieve the specific performance objectives needed.
The Enghouse Networks platform addresses the key aspects service providers require, including customer journeys, partnership management, product catalog creation and maintenance, network engineering activities (including GIS and inventory), assurance, provisioning, design, and planning. Additionally, the Enghouse platform recognizes the significance of IoT, 5G messaging, and device management, including device provisioning, orchestration, and communication with both devices and people.
In terms of functional values, Enghouse focuses on these components and provides much-needed out-of-the-box functionality. This functionality is easily scalable, allowing for scaling up and down based on customer requirements. Moreover, it is composable, understanding that not all users will need every function yet enabling the ability to combine the required parts quickly. The Enghouse solution aims to provide a ready-to-use, pre-configured foundation that can evolve and incorporate additional functionality and capabilities as you grow and expand over time.
Empowering the Future
5G technology is driving a fundamental transformation and enabling the deployment of private networks. Cloud-native technologies, including microservices and containerization, offer flexibility, agility, and superior customer experiences. The approach of multi-tenancy offers not only scalability but also cost-effectiveness. In the past, private networks were considered bespoke, expensive, and slow to implement. However, leveraging this flexibility and effectively managing the OSS/BSS systems to embrace private networks becomes a more compelling and profitable business case for enterprise customers.
The integration of digital technologies, the rise of IoT, investments in broadband infrastructure, and the advent of 5G and cloud-native technologies are driving significant technological shifts. Agility, flexibility, and scalability are critical attributes to enable communication service providers to navigate the evolving landscape successfully. Embracing these transformations and prioritizing customer-centricity will be vital to thriving in the digital era.
In the world of digital transformation, automation is crucial in managing scalability and complexity in a simplified manner. Enghouse Networks’ solutions are designed to be comprehensive and integrated, automating service delivery across various platforms. Reliability is a key aspect of all our solutions, considering the nature of today’s businesses.
To learn more about how Enghouse Networks helps operators meet the rapidly evolving communications landscape, watch our latest Light Reading webinar, “Who Cares About Cloud? What Service Providers Really Need in Service Assurance.”
