What are the key trends in telecom BSS?

2024 is the year of Telco Cloud Transformation. Lots of Telcos have done 'test and learn' on their cloud transformation journey and some have gone full scale. I see this year as the year that the cloud journey scales for more telecoms. Cloud-based networks are going to allow CSPs to have more agility, scale, security, stability and speed for their customers. Most customers don't even realize this cloud journey is going on in the background (and don't care) but they certainly like the results.

Cloud platforms offer scalable resources for processing and analyzing large volumes of data generated by BSS, enabling advanced analytics and AI-driven insights.

The Telco BSS landscape is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing customer demands, and the need for telecom operators to stay competitive. The biggest trend that's driving maximum efficiencies for Telcos is migration to cloud native BSS solutions. These solutions offer telecom operators the benefits of scalability, flexibility, and efficiency. Cloud-native architectures support the deployment of BSS applications in private, public, or hybrid cloud environments, facilitating faster time-to-market for new services and cost optimization.

Just like the business of a telco is evolving, its BSS has to. A next-generation modern Telco BSS should be cloud-native, customer-centric, able to handle all types of services (telco/non-telco, current and future); It has to be built on an open architecture (i.e. TMF ODA), and being open allows us to go multi-vendor or multi-product, "best-of-breed". Not everything needs to be custom-built, and Telco doesn't need to re-invent the wheel by insisting in developing its own IPs. Often we also need to consider the culture and readiness of talent and processes, "Conway's Law" will hold true, so therefore BSS modernisation is often a digital transformation in itself.

Enhancing customer experience remains a top priority for Telcos, with BSS playing a pivotal role in enabling personalized customer interactions. This has been a big differentiator Advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning are increasingly integrated into BSS platforms to provide tailored offerings, proactive customer support, and personalized communication

5G-ready BSS is pivotal for telecoms adapting to the transformative potential of #5G. Not only does it enable operators to handle increased data volumes and deliver diversified services, but IMPORTANTLY they also allow for innovative monetisation models, thanks to real-time processing capabilities and improved customer experience through enhanced speed and connectivity. Effective 5G BSS solutions are critical for harnessing the full potential of this technological leap.

With the rollout of 5G and the expansion of IoT services, BSS systems are evolving to support complex billing models, real-time charging, and the management of massive volumes of data. This is primarily driving the future evolution of BSS. This includes capabilities for handling subscription models, usage-based billing, and dynamic service provisioning etc.,

Across all five areas, a consistent focus on interoperability, customer-centricity, and agility is crucial. Deploying #AI and advanced analytics to drive decision-making and personalization will differentiate competitive telecom operators. Furthermore, robust cybersecurity measures are essential, given the increasing reliance on cloud-based and open architectures. The integration of these trends is key to driving growth and innovation in the dynamic telecom landscape.

When we talk about BSS there is a balance with human interaction and AI. I know many of the CSPs already use AI/virtual assistants to manage some of their BSS. As customers, we all know there are times when it works and times when it simply doesn't and creates frustration. As AI (especially Generative AI) progresses that balance needs to be maintained to ensure that you don't lose customers due to not providing good customer experiences.

One of the key trends that is driving BSS transformation is AI technology and its evolution, especially Generative AI Integrating AI and Generative AI into BSS not only streamlines operations and reduces costs but also opens up new avenues for personalized customer experiences, innovative services, and agile business practices. As these technologies continue to evolve, their role in modernizing BSS will likely grow, further transforming the telecommunications industry and beyond