Telecom operations of today have become more intricate than ever before. As staple telecom services like voice and SMS start losing their significance due to the establishment of OTT platforms (whatsapp, skype etc.), there is an emerging need to monetize telecom services in exciting packages that evoke subscribers’ interest. But even more important these days is to maintain a level of trust with your customers. An Online charging system (OCS) provides you the best of both worlds and lets you fulfill the most important requirements of subscribers with its true real time charging.
The Secret of True Real Time Charging True real time charging as per the technical specifications defined by 3GPP prevents revenue leakage. The secret to true real time charging lies in the rightful implementation of telecom billing architecture. The Gy diameter interface between OCS and Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) needs to transmit info in real-time for the platform to work as intended. Only when the interface is correctly implemented, you can expect proper functioning of the entire system. The Virtues of a Quality Telecom Charging and Billing System Apart from real time charging, a telecom charging and billing system needs to have the following attributes for it to be effective in today’s competitive telecom industry. Have a look at some of the essential virtues: Ability to generate single invoice for all services With so many services delivered by telecom operators these days, it would be inconvenient if you send separate invoices to customers for every service. A convergent real time charging system allows for the creation of a single invoice for all services like prepaid, postpaid, broadband, SMS, IPTV etc. This happens because the charging is done at single centralized point i.e. OCS, which charges services as they are used and rates them according to a pre-determined tariff rate. Safeguarding of subscribers vital information The subscriber information stored by telecom services provider needs to be protected from unauthorized access to ensure proper functioning of the billing system. Telgoo5 is a cutting-edge platform for MVNOs that are looking for complete safety of information from hack attacks. It employs robust encryption to prevent hacker entry into the system and ensures smooth and tension-free billing operations. APIs for fulfilling ad hoc requirements A telecom operation is always evolving and there is a need to amend the billing system for delivering new functionalities. At Telgoo5, you get a variety of APIs that can be installed at client’s end for incorporating feature such as vendor partnerships and database integration. For example, you can instantly use the partnership of your MVNE with a shipping vendor to deliver your SIM cards or access NLAD database for delivering telecom services to a unique group of subscribers. The use of API eliminates the need of buying new software and expensive customizations. Complete reporting functionality Reporting is crucial for an MVNO as it lets them visualize the data related with customers’ use of their services. At Telgoo5, you get access to a slave database that is directly updated by the master database, allowing you to run as many reports as you want using filters of your choice.
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For a very long time, MVNOs have remained an integral part of telecom operations. Their niche is to serve those customers who feel alienated by the services of MNOs in their areas. Most MVNOs run their operations on restricted budgets, but their strength lies in innovation and marketing strategies. As they buy call and data services from bigger players in the market at discounted prices, they are able to target specific group of customers e.g. lifeline customers in the US and attract them with their low-cost offerings. However, because MVNOs have a limited customer base, they cannot afford customer turnover. Hence, Customer Service and Support become extremely important for them.
Virtual Operations Need Real-Life Customer Service Agents Customers who use MVNO’s services can be very finicky when it comes to the support they get. They do not want to spend a penny extra than what they are obliged to pay. But, such is the nature of telecom operations that disputes do arise because of one reason or another. It is at these times MVNOs need to be extremely careful. To manage subscribers effectively, MVNOs should have a cutting-edge subscriber management system that is fast, responsive and efficient at the same time. On top of that, it should also feature a Customer Service and support platform that includes live agents who can solve even the toughest of customer issues with ease. The Importance of Operational Support System for MVNOs A quality Operation Support System (OSS) lays down a strong foundation for MVNOs to base their business upon. Some of the vital components of an OSS that play a huge role in day-to-day MVNO operations are listed below: Administration and Configuration Panel For effective user management, it is important to manage the number of users utilizing the shared resources. It is vital to create relevant plans, define permissions according to user hierarchy and stay in control of all services that are rendered to the customers. Sales Chain Management Managing the sales chain is a vital function of an OSS. The OSS should be able to manage sales chain based on the exact business needs of MVNOs. As a sales chain is directly related with revenue, it needs to be managed properly for ensuring high Returns on Investment (ROI). Management of Inventory The distribution of inventory units should be managed effectively for preventing financial losses. Also, it is imperative that inventory management component of an OSS allows for inventory status updates, reassignment along with reconciliation in case of a dispute. Analytics and Reporting Subscriber data needs to be analyzed for deriving relevant insights that can be used for forming business strategies. Telgoo5 is an exceptional OSS platform that provides a slave database, which is updated directly by a master database. The Value of Customer Service and Support in OSS-Related MVNO Operations There are multiple OSS functions that need to be performed effectively by an MVNO for maintaining a high level of service delivery and managing customers. To ensure maximum customer satisfaction, it is vital that an MVNO has a Customer Service and Support team that can help them with:
At Telgoo5, you get one of the best support teams with several years of experience in handling intricate client/customer issues. We are committed to the cause of our clients and go out of our way to ensure all OSS operations are performed exactly as per their expectations. Customers of today have become finicky. With access to Internet at their fingertips at all times (thanks to the smartphones), they are able to analyze products/services faster than ever before. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have transformed into information portals for customers. The wealth of knowledge derived from these platforms sways the decision of millions and shapes the fortunes of brands across the globe. For a business to prosper in the current times, it has become crucial to unearth customer interest and launch product/services accordingly. This is where Big Data analytics and stream processing applications come into the picture.
The Importance of Real Time Data Stream Processing Real time data stream processing can be put to good use in a number of scenarios. It is particularly useful in situations where data is in motion i.e. it is flowing either in or out of the system. User actions on websites, data generated by sensors and financial trades in stock exchange are prime examples of business situations where data is always flowing. In such cases, Stream Processing Applications can come in handy as they start working on the data as soon as it is generated. Below are some of its important benefits: Quick insight generation for devising business strategies A Real Time Data Stream Processing platform generates insights consistently. So, whenever there is a situation developing, companies are able to understand the trends fast and devise strategies accordingly to exploit the market conditions. Less money spent on storage of data For traditional data processing systems, large amount of storage space is required. These systems first store the data on HDD or SSD and then process them in batches. Hence, the money spent on storage systems is always high. Considering the modern-day requirements posed by new tech like IoT that generates massive amount of data, these systems are not cost-effective. On the contrary, an in-memory based real time data stream processing computes the data as soon as it arrives thus reducing the storage space requirements. Therefore, it is a better fit for newer technologies and emerging requirements. Critical Attributes of a Real Time Data Stream Processing Platform A real time data stream processing platform can only be useful if it serves the present-day requirements of business operations. Have a look at some of its essential attributes:
Modern-day operations in almost every field are going through quick transitions. As telecom industry expands and the number of subscribers increases, large-scale operators i.e. MNOs are trying their hardest to mold their offerings according to the interests of general public. But, there are several customer segments that have peculiar needs, which are too hard to be addressed by a limited number of MNOs. This is where virtual operators that go by the name of MVNOs come into the picture.
The Importance of Billing Software for MVNOs in the Telecom Industry Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) fill the spaces left by MNOs and serve those customers who MNOs can’t attract with their own services. Depending on their wherewithal and resources, MVNOs can be classified as skinny, thin, branded reseller and full MVNOs. Irrespective of the kind of MVNO that you run, the billing software utilized in the daily operations plays a huge role in the overall performance of work. Therefore, it is important for MVNOs to employ the best billing software that can help them with: Transparency in billing with complete convergence There are so many telecom services used by subscribers nowadays that sending different bills for each service would become very inconvenient. A better option is to utilize a telecom billing system that has a centralized charging system like OCS, which charges every service and allows for the creation of detailed and fully-bifurcated invoices. A true real-time interface between OCS and PCRF ensures that all services are charged correctly, which further down the line fosters customer trust and creates transparency in billing. Self-service option for customers Young and educated modern-day subscribers want self-service options that they can use for creating their own telecom services plans. Thus, it is important to select the best billing software that comes with this feature. Analytic capabilities The billing system is the place where a lot of data is ingested. It is the perfect place to embed analytics capabilities for deriving automatic insights that can be utilized for devising future strategies. Analytics can make you aware of ongoing trends. For example, you may get to know about your subscribers’ propensity to buy a router after upgrading their broadband connection. Thus, allowing you to package your own routers along with the broadband services that will ultimately help you boost your sales. Application Program Interface The best billing software providers like Telgoo5 offer their own APIs to address the ad hoc requirements of MVNOs. An API can be easily installed to access new functionalities that were not a part of the billing system originally. Case in point being, if some of your subscribers want a particular payment gateway that you don’t have, then you can install the relevant API and instantly make the new payment gateway available to your subscribers. Security of subscriber data No billing software can be considered the best billing software if it compromises on the security of subscribers’ information. Information like email address, postal address, account information, credit card details etc. are kept within the billing system. Hence, proper security measures in the form of robust encryption need to be implemented for preventing unauthorized access. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are small fish in the huge sea that is the telecom industry. For them to survive amongst the big sharks, it is important to have all the right tools that can make them competitive. The fact that MVNOs receive their frequency spectrum from MNOs lessens their burden, but access to spectrum alone is not enough. They still require a trustworthy and versatile online billing software solution that can help them monetize their services better and bring them to market quickly.
The Exigent Need for Intuitive Online Billing Software Intuitive is defined as something that is easy to operate. As MVNOs, generally the skinny and thin ones, do not always have the necessary expertise in the telecom domain, they require an online billing software solution that can simplify their operations. A perfect blend of necessary functionalities and ease of use is their most essential requirement. As an MVNO, you do not want to invest in something that takes considerable amount of time to be learned and put to real-world use. Online billing software solutions that can be understood by your B/OSS operators fast and put to good use quickly can be the difference between success and failure of your MVNO. The Best Characteristics of Intuitive Online Billing Software The selection of an online billing software solution needs to be done with great care, in order to improve MVNO operations. Below are some characteristics you should seek in your MVNO software:
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