Emerging OSS

The voice RPM portion of the Average revenue per user (ARPU) is decreasing, and the aggressive Data monetization is inevitable. Data packages (Flat rate or otherwise) for new users are getting expensive and user churn is unavoidable. As we know, Wi Fi is one of the technologies that can extend cellular network capacity. Value proposition needs to be built around Wi-Fi cellular convergence for balanced data utilization. Products are available for converged billing for carrier Wi-Fi, but there is no critical mass of the deployments yet.

The Wi Fi/Wireless convergence presents a new premise for the emergence of new aspects to the OSS/ BSS. The FCAPS for the new Element management system (EMS) should also include how this could be implemented in a Network function virtualization (NFV) capability. Mobile devices needed to be loaded with Management objects (MOs) and the OSS/BSS and EMS should add a downstream interface to MMEs/UEs and a north bound TL1 interface upstream towards the Diameter signaling controllers (DSCs). Events should be generated for Handovers between trusted and untrusted non 3GPP IP Access. They could be the demarcation the egress/ingress in/out of different networks and for billing.

Service providers didn’t reinvent much during the first wave of convergence and POTS lines are replaced rather easily. But now for each handset replaced there are a bunch of Mobile end points for each user. Operators can monetize this explosion if the eco system around convergence billing can be built rather quickly.

Wireless operators also need to evolve to more than just ‘Access Providers’ to counter the Over-the-Top (OTT) surge. Investments into Mobile device management (MDM) solutions, developing White labeling solutions and IMS deployment is the way forward. IMS provides many services which can be accessed at any end point. The number and richness of the applications can be the way forward .The cellular service providers can even exploit the ‘single number reach’ for the Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) by using IMS

-Narasimha Vadrevu