With TM Forum's DTW23 - Ignite set to begin next week at the Bella Center, Copenhagen, Ariana Lynn, Principal Analyst at The Fast Mode spoke to Miguel Carames, the Chief Product Officer of Mobileum. In the brief interview, Miguel reveals the company's planned showcases, as well as his thoughts on the convergence of telco and cloud and his predictions for 2024.
Ariana: What products / solutions will the company be showcasing at the event? Can we expect to see any new launches?
Miguel: In light of ongoing 5G investments that are expected to overwhelm traditional data collection methods, our discussions at DTW this year will focus on powering the next wave of network intelligence. The new cloud-native version of our Active Intelligence Platform (AIP) platform, which is built on an advanced data lake architecture, is at the core of these discussions as it provides the unique ability to assist CSPs in unlocking the full potential of their data, breaking down data siloes and deriving invaluable business insights to overcome challenges with the transition to 5G. Our comprehensive platform integrates testing, service assurance, engagement and customer experience intelligence, along with roaming analytics and risk management and security capabilities. By gathering crucial insights from across the organization, AIP becomes the central hub operators rely on for enhancing business growth, optimizing and securing network operations, and improving customer satisfaction.
While 5G introduces many new opportunities, it also brings new vulnerabilities. Right now, operators need to safeguard their operations by establishing robust 5G security and roaming 3.0 measures. We are experts in this space. Earlier this year, our 5G Security portfolio was highlighted by Gartner as part of a set of technologies that will significantly impact the communications market landscape over the next three years. In addition, our award-winning network steering solutions provide analytics-driven insights essential to optimize roaming wholesale margins and guide roaming traffic to preferred networks as operators decommission 2G and 3G networks. Beyond this, data monetization is gaining momentum as operators find innovative ways to leverage their data. Our deep network analytics (DNA) solutions transform network data packets into valuable insights for operators to drive new business growth opportunities.
Ariana: What are some emerging trends and technologies that you expect will power digital transformation in the telco space in the next year?
Miguel: The telecommunications industry is poised for a significant acceleration of digital transformation next year, driven by several emerging trends and technologies. The continued rollout and adoption of 5G Standalone (SA) networks will be a major driver of digital transformation, enabling high-speed, low-latency connectivity for a wide range of applications, from IoT to augmented reality. Network Slicing is another 5G SA capability, enabling tailored network services designed specifically for various applications and user groups. This technology will support diverse use cases, from ultra-reliable low-latency communications for critical applications to enhanced mobile broadband for consumers, optimizing resource allocation and network efficiency.
Related to 5G, CSPs are increasingly focusing on differentiated enterprise offerings. Those solutions must be able to scale up to support global deployments for international enterprises and scale down to address very granular requirements in private networks. Additionally, businesses expect full visibility into the performance of the connectivity solutions they rely on. As such, Service Level Agreement (SLA) transparency is becoming critical for CSPs.
AI-driven Network Management will be pivotal in optimizing network performance and enhancing user experiences. Networks are becoming more complex and dynamic, and legacy assurance and operations methodologies can’t cope effectively with this complexity. Artificial intelligence in the network will enable improved visibility into core operations, internal processes, and market conditions to discern trends, establish forecasts, and take corrective actions, leading to improved efficiency and reliability.
To address the evolving cyber threats, telcos will increasingly adopt advanced security measures, including AI-powered threat detection, blockchain-based authentication, and zero-trust architectures. These technologies will provide robust defenses against cyberattacks, safeguarding both networks and customer data.
Furthermore, IoT expansion will continue to grow, with telcos accommodating the proliferation of IoT devices and applications. This expansion will drive the need for scalable and reliable connectivity solutions, positioning telcos to capitalize on IoT's vast potential across industries.
Ariana: How has the convergence of telco and cloud changed CSP monetization strategies? What are some new growth opportunities?
Miguel: The convergence of telco and cloud technologies has brought about a profound transformation in CSP monetization strategies. Here's a breakdown of how this convergence has impacted their approach and created new growth opportunities:
- Shift from Infrastructure-Driven to Service-Centric Models: CSPs have transitioned from a traditional focus of selling network infrastructure to service-centric models. They now offer a wide range of cloud-based services, such as unified communications, cloud storage, and Software as a Service (SaaS), driving revenue through service delivery.
- Subscription-Based Revenue Streams: With the cloud, CSPs have embraced subscription-based revenue models. Customers pay on a recurring basis for cloud services, creating predictable revenue streams and improving customer retention.
- Dynamic Pricing and Bundling: CSPs have the flexibility to offer dynamic pricing and bundling options for cloud services. This allows them to tailor offerings to individual customer needs, leading to increased customer satisfaction and revenue generation.
- Enterprise Digital Transformation Enabler: Telco-cloud convergence has positioned CSPs as enablers of enterprise digital transformation. They provide the infrastructure and services necessary for businesses to modernize their operations, creating opportunities for customized solutions and partnerships.
- Monetizing Data Insights: CSPs can leverage their vast network data to derive valuable insights. By offering data analytics and insights services, they can monetize this data, assisting businesses in making informed decisions and improving operational efficiency.
- Expansion into New Verticals: The convergence has opened doors for CSPs to expand into new verticals. They can offer industry-specific solutions, such as healthcare, finance, or manufacturing, leveraging their network and cloud capabilities to address unique challenges in these sectors.
- Partner Ecosystems: Collaboration and partnerships with cloud providers, software developers, and other service providers have become integral. CSPs can create comprehensive solutions by integrating cloud services with their network offerings, expanding their market reach and revenue potential.
The convergence of telco and cloud technologies has propelled CSPs to adapt and innovate. The forward-thinking ones are shifting from infrastructure-centric models to service-centric ones, embracing subscription-based revenue, introducing dynamic pricing, and positioning themselves as enablers of digital transformation. Monetizing data insights, expanding into new verticals, and fostering partner ecosystems are among the strategies that present new growth opportunities in this evolving landscape.
Meet us in Copenhagen for TM Forum’s DTW23 to learn more about how Mobileum can help you ensure that your network functions at peak performance to deliver the reliable service and seamless experience your customers expect.
Miguel is the Chief Product Officer (CPO) at Mobileum. In his current role, Miguel leads the company’s product strategy, product management, roadmap, and innovation. Prior to being appointed CPO, Miguel was responsible for the roaming and security business unit in Mobileum defining and executing the technical and commercial strategy. In addition, Miguel actively participates in multiple industry forums in organizations such as ITW, CTIA, and GSMA. Prior to Mobileum, Miguel worked for Verizon where he held various positions for 13 years including Executive Director of Cloud & Technology Planning, responsible for leading Verizon's technology strategy and planning for Wireless Core (4G and 5G), Cloud, Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC) and Orchestration. Prior to joining Verizon, Miguel held several senior engineering positions at Motorola. During his career, Miguel has filed over 40 patents with the US Patent Office. Miguel holds a Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), postgraduate credentials from Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon) and an MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute.
