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Operation Support System (OSS) is an integral part of telecom operations. Along with Business Support System (BSS) and telecom billing platform, it performs vitally important functions for telcos and helps them achieve their periodic targets. To ensure that the OSS works as per the modern-day requirements, it needs to have cutting-edge features that are in line with today’s telecom operations.
The Evolution of Operation Support System OSS is not a new paradigm. Conceptualized in the early 1970s, it has shaped and evolved to match the requirements of telecom operators. Erstwhile operations of OSS were performed manually, but they later became automatic by the mid-1970s. Integrally, OSS has four vital parts:
Integral Functions of an OSS Platform for Leveraging Telecom Functions As the competition in the telecom industry increases, we are at a juncture where telcos need to be ready with state-of-the-art Operation Support System solutions to meet the pressing requirements. Have a look at some of the important functions of a telecom platform that can help you leverage telecom operations:
MNO, MVNO and MVNA have become an essential part of the telecom machinery. As customers’ preferences become harder to predict with each passing day, the need for differentiation and branding in services is at an all-time high. Bigger players in the market remain secure in the comfort that they have capital to throw at whenever there is a need to improvise. But, it is the smaller operators that feel the most uncomfortable when it comes to acclimatizing to the latest market conditions. Therefore, online billing software has become an important requirement of telcos as it lets them monetize complex services quickly, but the question is: Is that enough?
Online Billing Software Alone is not ENOUGH Even the best billing software alone is not good enough to overcome the obstacles faced by an MVNO during its complete lifecycle. There are operational- and business-related debacles that need to be overcome. And, this can only be done if you have a comprehensive telecom services platform that can meet the present and emerging requirements posed by new tech like IoT and 5G. Have a look at some of the most important features of such a platform: Quick monetization and launch of services Conceptualizing a service offering is only half the work done by a telecom operator. The real work starts in monetizing the services effectively. Cross-product offerings, innovative discounts and promotions only work when they are done at the right time. Therefore, it is essential to have a B/OSS platform and online billing software that ensures quick service launch. Convergence in billing with a centralized charging platform One of the most important things that every MVNO should expect from a telecom billing platform is convergent billing. Convergence in billing allows for the printing of all service charges on a single invoice. This makes it convenient for customers to analyze their service usage as they do not have to fiddle through multiple bills. Also, it becomes easier for the customer support to handle customer queries and complaints as they have all the bifurcated data ready when the subscribers call in. The overall transparency in billing activity is a key feature of convergent billing that makes it the most suited for modern-day billing. Integration with legacy systems If you are overhauling your current telecom services platform and want some of its features/functions to still work with your new system, then it is essential to find a platform that allows for such integrations. Telgoo5 is a revolutionary platform for telecom billing that can be integrated easily with an existing legacy platform of a telecom services vendor. The power of reporting and analytics Telecom B/OSS and billing system are the touch points where all subscriber activity is recorded. As the number of subscribers and services are quite large in number, it would be unreasonable to expect an entrepreneur to unearth insights by looking at the raw data. Therefore, it is essential to have comprehensive reporting functionalities for understanding customer behavior. Also, to make the insight-generation process fast, cutting-edge analytics functionality can be added. Ad-hoc APIs APIs are the unsung heroes of the modern-day online billing software and B/OSS systems. Telgoo5 offers many APIs that are built to meet the requirements of MVNOs, which can be used to add new functionalities into the existing platform at a moment’s notice. As the reach of telecom services increase, we are at a stage where MVNOs have become an essential part of the telecom industry. The fact that telecom operators are simply incapable of catering to the likes of every single customer in the market, an MVNO becomes the ideal choice for filling up this void.
There are other MVNOs in the market as well whose main objective is to improve the image of their brand. By offering telecom services under the flagship of its brand, an MVNO can maximize its exposure to its customers e.g. a bank can start an MVNO to build new bridges with its customers. However, these MVNOs are not inherently knowledgeable about telecom operations and may need help when it comes to monetizing and delivering their offerings. Therefore, it is important for them to know the role of BSS billing system and billing software. 5 Things Every MVNO Should Consider Before Launch An MVNO launch can be tricky, especially for those with no knowledge of the field. Below are 6 important points that every MVNO owner should consider before launch:
In the last few years, Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) have become an integral part of telecom operations. These virtual operators form a very important link between the MNOs and subscribers by serving those customers who look for services with a difference. As it is impossible for mega operators i.e. MNOs to cater to the interests of each and every subscriber located in a particular region, a window of opportunity opens up for these virtual operators.
The Importance of Compliance in MVNO Operations Although MVNO business is lucrative and has some perks, it also comes with many obstacles that need to be overcome for safe operation. The first and foremost requirement of MVNO and MVNE success is to create a differentiation in their services with respect to their competitors. And, equally important is their ability to follow the rules and regulations i.e. compliances that are laid down by the regulatory bodies. All telecom operations across the globe are controlled by the regulatory bodies e.g. FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the USA. FCC lays down the compliances and has sovereign jurisdiction over areas such as fair competition, broadband access, radio frequency utilization, media operations, along with public and homeland security. Hence, it is fundamentally important for MVNOs to have the right OSS Telecom and MVNO billing solutions at their disposal, for which, it is crucial to have the right MVNE supporting your business. Essential Features of B/OSS telecom and MVNO Billing Solutions B/OSS telecom model of telecom operation keeps on evolving and so does the telecom billing. Hence, it is essential to employ a telecom services platform that comes with all the essential features to support modern-day telecom operations. Have a look at some of these features:
Currently, there is a proliferation of services on the internet. This has caused the need to develop solutions to manage consistent growing traffic. Diameter Charging is a solution that was developed as a signaling protocol to ensure the interconnection of servers in core networks is well managed. Before diameter, there was a protocol known as RADIUS. It worked well before the demand for increased use of networks worldwide. So why should you use diameter and what are its advantages?
Benefits of Diameter Initially, Diameter was used for terminal and dial-up PPP service access. Just as the name suggests, Diameter is twice the radius. Benefits of the system include, but are not limited to: 1. Extensibility – third parties like IETF working groups can start new services using Diameter. 2. Reliability – it uses reliable protocols like SCTP or TCP on port 3868. With hop-by-hop retransmission, Diameter can ensure you have continuity of traffic flow and reliability of transport. 3. Advanced processes – AVPs and error notification are part of diameter signaling. Application developers are allowed to include customizable controls, such as charging, using AVPs. This means a diameter application will allow you to customize how and when you charge your clients. Future of Diameter charging Subscribers are moving to IMS-based networks. These networks are best supported by diameter charging. As a result, the exponential growth of Diameter charging is expected. IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture is designed to offer mobile users IP multimedia. It works as a core network providing multimedia, text, and voice across large networks. With this in mind, diameter charging is growing by the day and its demand is consistently increasing. Today, IMS and diameter are employed to ensure there is consistency in control on increasing IP services. For example, components like HSS (Home Subscriber System), MME (Mobile Management Entity), PGW (Packet Gateway) and AS (Application Server) all use Diameter Charging. It works amazingly well in the integration of LTE and EPC networks. DevOps team efficiency and productivity are increased as a result of Diameter Charging. How does this happen? When these teams have easy access to advanced messaging collaboration, they thrive. One of the advantages of diameter charging routers is they can use dedicated PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function). PCRF is used to control bandwidth or roaming, charge based on usage or limit usage. Diameter is capable of interoperability with legacy networks like UMTS. The good news is any future networks can be integrated into diameter. For instance, any diameter architecture can function as translation agents, redirect agents, proxy agents or relay agents. Current and future Diameter Charging Protocols are versatile and capable parts of future modern IP networks. Its potential and scalability make the system an essential part of the exponential growth in the IP universe. This means further adaptations of the protocol are being developed for the future. Conclusion Diameter charging is here to stay for a long time. If you haven’t incorporated it into your telecom business, it is time you did. Contact us for more information on how we can help you incorporate diameter charging. Telecom business nowadays is like a mystery. While most companies are losing revenue due to the diminishing value of staple services, there are others that are increasing their profit margins consistently. The secret recipe for their success lies in the billing solution they use.
Fallout of Inadequate Billing and Provisioning Software There are many telecom companies that keep on operating without even knowing what their existing billing solution lacks. Have a look at some of the disadvantages that an inadequate billing and provisioning software solution may have:
The telecom industry is riddled with many challenges that need to be overcome for ensuring a successful operation. A versatile platform like Telgoo5 offers the best chance for you to face these challenges head on. It allows for APIs, is fully scalable and is flexible enough to help you bring your plans to market in quick time. |
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