Page 114 - SAMENA Trends - September 2019

ARTICLE SAMENA TRENDS

Enabling block for CSP Transition approach, operators can leverage a Operators have to
Consider how easy it is to book a cab for modular, micro-services driven approach
your destination on Uber and making and prioritize which service or “platform cautiously and judiciously
the payments once you’ve reached your component” they need to replace first. roll out 5G and 5G based
destination. Telecom providers aspiring to This not only promotes faster service digital services in high
become digital service providers want to delivery but also reduces the cost and
provide the same level of contextualization implementation timelines pertaining to dense urban areas and
and personalization to their customers. digital transformation. gradually move to other
However, the biggest roadblock coming in
its way is the “chaos” and the “complexity” Looking into the future areas with specific use
of the existing BSS systems that restrict While many of the operators have gone cases. As per GSMA
its ability to launch digital services quickly ahead with 5G trials the jury is still
and efficiently. out on 5G usage cases like connected survey, 85% of operators in
cars because of the long gap between 5G era will play the role of
Since BSS upgrades are costly and investment cycle and the revenue cycle. Platform and digital service
time taking, the ‘big bang’ approach However, in the interest of future proofing
of transformation has seen to fail. their business, the operators should invest providers and only 10%
This approach does not fit to serve the in platforms that can be scaled for driving will play the role of sole
agile world in which we live, one where 5G usage cases of the future. Operators
subscribers want everything personalized, have to cautiously and judiciously roll out connectivity providers.
now and on-demand. 5G and 5G based digital services in high
dense urban areas and gradually move to it has become imperative for the Middle
Another favoured approach to digitization other areas with specific use cases. As East operators to drive linkages between
is to add new digital systems to support per GSMA survey, 85% of operators in 5G customers, channels, products, digital
new digital services like Netflix etc. and era will play the role of Platform and digital services, technologies, locations and user
new lines of business i.e. 5G, IOT etc. service providers and only 10% will play segmentation. Over the years, Comviva
These new systems can be added as the role of sole connectivity providers. has leveraged its ecosystem of partners to
an overlay to existing legacy systems drive digital service for its client. Now, with
.The new add-on system can support a Conclusion its new digital capabilities, it is providing
segment of customers initially and once Comviva believes that the classical traditional telecom operators with the
stable can replace legacy system over telecom operator model has become a building blocks needed to become full
time. This phased approach reduces liability for operators in the Middle East. digital service providers.
the costs and risks involved in large In order to recognize new opportunities
scale transformations. By using this in revenue and customer engagement,

About the Author:

Atul Madan has over 20 years of experience and has held a variety of senior executive roles in the software and telecom domains.
At Comviva, Atul heads the Digital Services business unit which focuses on leveraging the mobile to develop world-class lifestyle
solutions spanning music, video and content and digital services for diverse geographies - Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America
and South Asia. Atul has helped grow Comviva’s digital services business, which contributes 35% to Comviva’s total business. Atul has
wide experience of PSTN, 3G, CDMA and ATM Switching Systems and has been responsible for developing products in the areas of IP
Switching, Routing and X.25.

114 SEPTEMBER 2019