Open-source is emerging as a game-changing technology, replacing old world business models. Telecom companies - realizing they can no longer address their customer needs by patching their legacy technologies - are embracing this new paradigm shift.
Open-source is emerging as a game-changing technology, replacing old world business models. Telecom companies - realizing they can no longer address their customer needs by patching their legacy technologies - are embracing this new paradigm shift.
Open-source could become mainstream
Today, the complexity of billing is unmanageable; agility - unreachable, and costs of delivering services over old technologies are outpacing what users are willing to pay, which is driving more and more telecoms to consider open source.
Open-source software means that the software’s source code can be accessed by anyone, and modified to suit specific needs – resulting, ultimately, in richer functionality and in better products and services. Providing limitless flexibility, open-source enables companies to address dynamic customer needs. This is particularly attractive for young companies that must respond to rapidly-changing markets. As compared to traditional software, open-source technologies are often cheaper, eliminating installation costs, adjustments, training, support or IT operations, and offering startups and SMBs rich functionality at affordable cost.
BillRun - a player in this revolution - providing an open-source platform for billing, recently launched its cloud version.
Open Sesame: Telecom steps into open-source
The convergence of the Internet and telecom worlds is changing the way companies provide service, as Google and Facebook Cloud giants begin to use open-source software to improve service delivery and grow their revenues. Simultaneously, a number of forward-looking telecom service providers are exploring the benefits of open-source as an alternative platform to their existing, cumbersome technologies. Implementing open-source models in telecom software systems, network equipment and services - could dramatically change this industry’s competitive dynamics.
Telecom service providers have several good reasons to invest in open source. Firstly, removing vendor locks will stimulate innovation in a mature market controlled primarily by a handful of large corporations, opening the door for new entrants. In addition, open-source provides the flexibility to deploy new services, and enables networks to interface with third parties, to better compete against other players. Moreover, open-source design shortens the cycle of developing technology, increasing capital efficiency and scalability.
To kick-start this process, service providers will have to lead this transformation, gaining flexibility to develop and customize services - a trend that will accelerate in the future. With system integrators in the forefront, new players will be able to build open-source solutions for integration, and telecom service providers will need to adopt agile networks.
*This article is based on an article entitled “The impact of Open Source on operators, systems integrators and vendors”. To access the full article click on the following link: http://the-mobile-network.com/2017/01/the-impact-of-open-source-on-operators-systems-integrators-and-vendors/
