Alsard Fiber and Cellnet partner with Alepo for digital BSS and affiliate management

by | Dec 17, 2020

  • The project will benefit the two service providers’ ADSL, FTTH, WiFi broadband networks
  • Alepo will deploy a billing system with advanced security and automation features to stop existing revenue leaks
  • The billing system will include centralized affiliate management to streamline processes
  • Customers will have access to web and mobile self-care, reducing their dependence on physical stores and points of sale
  • The solution will also support Alsard Fiber in launching and monetizing public WiFi services, which it intends to introduce in the near future

Thursday, December 17, 2020, AUSTIN – Alsard Fiber and its subsidiary Cellnet are set to modernize their networks using a multi-tenant solution from digital enablement and revenue management software provider Alepo. The solution will include a centralized billing system with automated security features for zero revenue leakage, centralized affiliate management, and web and mobile self-care, as well as the capability to launch and monetize public WiFi services in the future.

Simplifying and streamlining the management of affiliates, Alepo’s digital BSS will benefit wholesale service provider Alsard Fiber’s growing list of broadband clients, which currently includes 15 affiliates and over 1,000 resellers. The same benefit will also be extended to its sister company Cellnet’s FTTH and ADSL resellers. While affiliates will enjoy a faster and more seamless digital experience, the service providers will be able to lower operational costs, improve revenue, and optimize resource utilization.

The two companies will be able to prevent revenue loss caused by erroneous billing through enhanced security features that their existing system is unable to provide. Alepo’s system offers increased security against hacking and eliminates manual data inputs to minimize errors.

Cellnet’s subscribers will have access to web and mobile self-care to recharge their accounts, change their plans, log complaints about any issues they face, and more.

Alepo will deploy its Digital Business Support System (BSS) with billing, CRM, affiliate management, and mobile and web self-care, as well as its scalable AAA application to enable the service providers top performance with growing subscriber counts and usage demands.

Alsard Fiber also plans to introduce public WiFi in the near future. Alepo is deploying its WiFi Service Management Platform (SMP) to launch and monetize these public hotspots with various paid and free use-cases such as bundled ISP packages and sponsored data with advertisements.

“We knew we needed to upgrade our system when we pinpointed certain discrepancies in billing that were causing revenue loss. Further, we currently maintain each of our affiliates in a different server. Alepo’s centralized billing system will ensure more secure and efficient processes and streamline affiliate management, helping us meet our true revenue potential. Alepo’s digital self-care platform will enable us to empower our customers with web and mobile options, so they no longer need to visit resellers or points of sale in person,” said Firya M. Ali, Chairman and Owner of Alsard and Cellnet.

Vishal Mathur, VP-Solution Integration, Alepo, said, “We’re pleased to partner with Alsard Fiber and Cellnet to help improve their network as they digitize their self-care to empower customers. From the network aspect, our solution is designed to iron out the existing system’s vulnerabilities and will result in improved revenue. The centralized platform will enable Alsard Fiber and Cellnet to streamline affiliate management, ensuring faster and more efficient processes that will lower operational costs.”

The project is underway and is expected to be complete within an accelerated timeframe.

About Alsard Fiber

Founded in 2007, Alsard Fiber is a leading wholesaler of IP services in all regions and provinces of Iraq. Working with leading IP providers in Europe and using fiber optic technology, Alsard Fiber delivers the highest possible quality of service. The IP from Europe is delivered via two separate redundant routes. Customers are offered a dedicated symmetrical bandwidth, not shared capacity. Alsard Fiber has a team of IT experts who provide 24/7 technical support. All Alsard Fiber’s customers can benefit from Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), Dedicated Redundant Line for backup purposes, 24/7 technical support, and no filtering, monitoring, or censorship.

For more information, please visit http://www.alsardfiber.com/

About Cellnet

Cellnet was founded in 2006 as the first commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Iraq-North/Sulimanyah city. It played a major role in building internet infrastructure in Iraq/North, earning the company a reputation for providing fast and stable internet access and innovative solutions for their individual as well as corporate customers.

For more information, please visit http://cell-net.net/

 

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Top 7 benefits digital BSS delivers, now and in 5G

Top 7 benefits digital BSS delivers, now and in 5G

by | Jan 14, 2020

Top 7 benefits digital BSS delivers, now and in 5G

 

14th of January 2020

 

 

 

As evidenced in countries where it has launched, 5G brings massive innovation potential but is challenging to monetize if its only unique offering is ultrafast speed. Many operators are aware that 5G success depends on their digital Business Support Systems (BSS) and bringing innovation to their own business models. A recent study by TM Forum reveals that 72% of CSPs believe 5G revenue growth is completely dependent on transforming their BSS and OSS. However, digital transformation is beneficial even before 5G is rolled out: a robust BSS stack enables implementing and monetizing key 5G use cases, such as OTT partnerships and new business models, on previous-gen networks.

 

5G networks are anticipated to deliver a transformational customer experience with improved speed, connectivity, network coverage, interoperability, and more. And this will be further enhanced with omnichannel support, which offers a highly personalized, consistent, seamless, and holistic view of the complete customer journey. Enabling faster speeds and connectivity, rapid service creation and monetization, and differentiated partnership models for new revenue streams will be a necessity for operators. Those ready with 5G Core (5GC) architecture before the 5G market matures will have a competitive edge. It provides a high-level of orchestration and automation with the use of a modular 5G service-based architecture (SBA) required to meet future challenges and business needs. An effective digital BSS helps to fully monetize this transformation and derive maximum ROI.

How digital BSS unlocks 5G potential

With limited features and rigid architecture, legacy BSS cannot keep up with the evolving demands of customers as they embrace a digital lifestyle. With a digital BSS stack, operators can seize the benefits of 5G – a fact they are well aware of. According to this report , the global digital BSS market is expected to reach approximately USD 7,416 million by 2025, at a CAGR of roughly 15% between 2019 and 2025.

 

A digital BSS provides an elastic, modern, and convergent system in a virtualized network environment, giving CSPs an edge over competitors and enabling them to readily offer unique 5G services. An effective BSS transformation helps modernize fixed and wireless networks, as well as support CSPs to introduce differentiated services and automate business processes.

What should you look for in a digital BSS?

5G facilitates real-time rating, metering and charging for sophisticated digital services, along with monetization schemes such as QoS tiers, OTT billing and charging, partner settlements (B2B2X), and more – all of which is possible only with a flexible and agile BSS platform. Robust digital BSS architecture using the latest 5G standards is essential in this competitive and ever-evolving market – today and well into the future – to be able to support a dynamic environment and provide quick time-to-value in delivering new features and functions.

Top benefits operators enjoy with digital BSS

Modern digital BSS features help improve and monetize legacy as well as next-gen networks, driving the following benefits for operators:

 

1. Rapid and phased deployments
A truly modern digital BSS is modular, cloud-native and deployed virtually. For operators not wanting to undertake a complete digital transformation at one go, it’s possible to implement in phases, so there is low risk involved in migration and fewer resources are required to launch it. Further, End of Life is less frequent, and the hardware is much easier to manage.

 

2. Accelerated monetization of use-cases
A 5G-ready digital BSS stack lets operators rapidly monetize the data network with innovative and personalized offerings, enhancing the digital experience for subscribers and improving customer loyalty. The elastic and convergent platform provides a network environment for CRM, convergent charging and billing, with REST APIs that offer the flexibility to quickly introduce a host of digital services with new billing models.

 

3. Centralized catalog management
With 5G, network slicing, and the surge of IoT and other data-intensive services like AI and VR, it will be challenging for CSPs to meet the demands to support new business models and use cases on the fly without expensive and lengthy backend code changes. A digital BSS stack with a centralized product catalog enables CSPs to swiftly respond to this network evolution. A common product repository and robust API framework allow CSPs, partners, and distributors to accelerate TTM for new products and services and improve revenue and customer engagement. With modern centralized catalogs, plans can be defined by many metrics such as volume, value, time, and quality of service. This core functionality helps ease teamwork and collaboration, manage offers efficiently, support multi-play offerings, and provide quick access to prebuilt use cases library.

 

4. Improved customer management
Customer relationship management covers all important aspects of the customer lifecycle, from registration and hierarchy to offering a 360-degree view to CSRs for subscribers as well as enterprise customers. With digital CRM, operators can implement automated workflows, streamline sales and support, and use chatbots and AI to reduce manual CSR workload. Additionally, it enables instant issue redressal and quick troubleshooting with web and mobile self-care including live chat options, lowering operational expenses and reducing churn.

 

5. Efficient revenue management
CSPs need real-time billing and policy control capabilities to seize and monetize opportunities that all-IP networks bring. Convergent charging facilitates automated rates and charging mechanisms. Further, revenue management solutions with reliable interconnect and billing for roaming help manage diverse partnerships, enabling CSPs to efficiently charge other operators for use of their voice, data, SMS, and other network infrastructure. A modern digital BSS with real-time APIs can also facilitate new 5G use cases like surge or congestion charging at times when the demand for digital services is high.

 

6. Enhanced partner management
A digital BSS stack with an integrated partner management platform helps improve operational agility by streamlining the partner lifecycle. It helps cultivate relationships with simplified onboarding, self-service, and support for a host of partner functions such as content, OTT, IoT, interconnect agreements, roaming, MVNO, and others. A partner management solution with open API integration works seamlessly with third-party systems.

 

7. Automated omnichannel support
Improving customer experience is not merely about providing better user interfaces on various devices, but also integrating the process across channels. Omnichannel support allows operators to provide a consistent, seamless, and highly personalized self-care experience through web, mobile and social media platforms, ensuring swift problem resolution while making customers feel more connected and valued. The most recent additions to this trend are WhatsApp-, AI- and NLP-powered chatbots for instant redressal of customer queries.

 

Telcos are already in the battle to build 5G networks and intend to offer improved quality of service to customers. And as they invest billions of dollars in 5G RAN, they must remember that an effective 5G strategy includes IT systems to generate ROI on that investment. Digital BSS has the great benefit of being modular so it can be rolled out in phases, mitigating the risks involved in a largescale migration of one’s billing system. To maximize their chances of success, operators must modernize their infrastructure with a digital BSS transformation today.

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Rani Shanmugam

Rani Shanmugam

Marketing Content Writer

Long story short, Rani writes about the workings of telecom networks. Short story long, she has a rich and diverse background as a developer, business analyst, and technical writer for broad-spectrum solutions across various industries, and is now focused on telecommunications marketing. She unwinds by painting with her toddler son and loves to whip up elaborate meals fit for a feast.

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Alepo’s Digital BSS facilitates Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation’s next phase of modernization and convergence

by | Nov 22, 2019

  • Alepo had initially deployed a billing solution for TTC’s LTE and WiFi services in 2017
  • On validating its success, TTC expanded its scope to a single convergent platform for all services
  • The unified convergent platform offers support for 3G, LTE, and fixed-line subscribers
  • Using Alepo’s web self-care portal and mobile app, TTC enables its customers to self-manage all their services – fixed-line, WiFi, and mobile – from a single web interface

Friday, November 22, 2019, Funafuti, Tuvalu– Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation (TTC) has completed the extension of Alepo’s digital BSS platform it deployed for LTE and WiFi services to support convergent billing and charging for all its telecommunications offerings, including previous generation fixed and mobile voice services.

TTC first launched data services on LTE and WiFi in Tuvalu in 2017 by employing Alepo’s expertise as an award-winning revenue management software provider, in partnership with Blue Arcus Technologies Inc. The success of this deployment validated the strengths of Alepo’s solution and confirmed the decision to converge all services onto the platform.

“On initial launch of LTE, our subscribers on previous-generation devices were still managed by our legacy system. On seeing the flexibility and capabilities of Alepo’s digital BSS and the strength of the team that delivered the solution, we decided to move ahead with one unified convergent platform for fixed-line, GSM, 4G, and WiFi services. Alepo’s single platform gives us modern capabilities while reducing our costs,” said Simeti Lopati, CEO of TTC.

TTC now enjoys increased flexibility and the ability to roll out convergent offerings. With Alepo’s web self-care portal and mobile app, TTC’s customers can self-manage all their services – fixed-line, WiFi, and mobile – from a single web interface.

As many of Tuvalu’s residents still use feature phones and previous generation 3G handsets, the new platform supports Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB), 3G, 4G, PSTN, SMS, and MMS. The system also creates a seamless upgrade path to support newer handsets as the market evolves.

Vishal Mathur, Vice President – Solution Integration at Alepo, said, “We often recommend that our customers take a phased approach to digitalization: deploy, validate, expand. Our deployment for TTC illustrates the benefits of this approach with seamless integration and migration along the way. We are among few vendors to have the portfolio and capabilities for validating key use cases and then expanding to a full convergent BSS.”

Naren Yanamadala, CEO of Blue Arcus, said, “We are pleased to complete our joint vision in providing a single convergent platform for mobile and fixed-line data, voice, and SMS services. Having moved from supporting next-generation mobile services to providing end-to-end management of all communication services is a big vote of confidence in Blue Arcus, Alepo, and our partnership. Alepo’s proven industry experience and expertise in providing BSS and converged billing solutions are reflected in this project.”

About Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation

Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) is a state-owned enterprise of the Tuvalu government and currently the country’s only operator. TTC provides fixed-line telephone communications and internet services to subscribers on each island. Mobile service is available in Funafuti, with plans to commence in the rest of the islands in 2020. Apart from a few services operated by the ICT department and other government agencies, TTC owns and operates most of the ICT and telecommunications infrastructure in the country. TTC is a reseller of Sky Pacific Satellite TV service, previously owned by Fiji Television Limited.

About Blue Arcus

Blue Arcus Technologies, Inc. is a California-based company that specializes in providing cost-effective mobile network solutions across the globe. The company also addresses telecommunications needs through its rural and remote community solutions, maritime and ferry solutions, tactical and emergency solutions, and mobile network solutions.

For more information, please visit www.bluearcus.com

About Alepo

Read more about Alepo’s growing presence in the Pacific Islands.

Telecom Niue sees widespread adoption of 4G following launch, Alepo and Blue Arcus partnership credited

by | Jun 25, 2019

  • Main mobile service provider on the South Pacific island of Niue
  • In August last year, it launched 4G/LTE plans using Alepo’s digital BSS platform
  • The project has given residents and tourists access to new services: 4G speeds, VoLTE calls, digitized bill payment
  • Already more than 50 percent of the Island has come on board

Tuesday, June 25, 2019, NIUE – Telecom Niue, the main mobile operator of the island of Niue, has seen significant revenue growth and widespread adoption after launching 4G using business support systems (BSS) from core network and mobile software solutions provider Alepo.

The 4G offers were announced in August 2018 as part of the government’s plan to transform telecommunication on the South Pacific island. Residents and tourists now have access to 4G speeds, competitive pricing, and advanced data services including Voice over LTE (VoLTE). digital self-care, including online bill payment, has been added.

To achieve their goals, Telecom Niue employed a digital BSS from Alepo including a PCRF (Ro/Rx) for advanced monetization and control of data services, including prepaid billing.

“This was the fastest BSS migration we have ever done,” said Derrick Gross, President of Alepo.

The digital transformation, along with the introduction of modern services and plans, has seen more than half of the Island’s population adopt 4G within a few months of launch.

“Our goal was to modernize communication in Niue, and the swift growth we’ve seen is a testament to how much this project has been appreciated by our subscribers. We were already impressed when Alepo met our stringent deadline without hiccups. And we continue to appreciate the quality and flexibility of their solutions,” said Brett Collier, 4G Rollout Manager, Telecom Niue.

“Our advanced CRM and charging features are particularly valuable for this deployment. Alepo’s self-care and mobile application are highly flexible, enabling Telecom Niue to offer the best possible services catered to their customers’ specific needs,” said Vishal Mathur, VP Solution Integration, Alepo.

Alepo has partnered with Blue Arcus for the project.

“Having worked with Alepo on several LTE and WiFi projects since 2016, we have time and again seen their expertise in the deployment of 4G LTE solutions. Telecom Niue’s latest offering is one of our many combined successes,” said Naren Yanamadala, CEO of Blue Arcus.

The project is the third Alepo-Blue Arcus collaboration in the Pacific Islands, following successful deployment of policy, charging, and billing solutions for the Marshall Islands National Telecommunications Authority, and another with Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation in Tuvalu.

About Telecom Niue

Telecom Niue Limited is a company incorporated in Niue and fully owned by the government of Niue. It was formed out of the business and operations of the Department of Post and Telecommunications.

As part of the government’s corporatization of utilities in early 2016, Telecom Niue was registered as a private company. It is the sole provider of mobile and fixed telephone services in Niue and the main provider of internet services.

The company’s mission is to ensure affordability, reliability, security, and high-quality telecommunication services anytime, anywhere.

For more information, please visit www.telecomniue.com

About Blue Arcus

Blue Arcus Technologies, Inc. is a California-based company that specializes in providing cost-effective mobile network solutions across the globe. The company also addresses telecommunications needs through its rural and remote community solutions, maritime and ferry solutions, tactical and emergency solutions, and mobile network solutions.

For more information, please visit www.bluearcus.com

About Alepo

Alepo’s AAA shortlisted for innovation award by Telecoms World Middle East

by | Aug 21, 2018

  • The nomination recognizes the “innovative technological advancement to telecommunications” made by Alepo’s AAA
  • Alepo’s AAA is virtualized, fully convergent, and provides seamless integration with non-standard CRM/BSS
  • It is being used by some of the largest telcos in the Middle East, who have seen significant improvements in their networks, including reduced network disruptions, lower operational costs, improved customer experience, and increased security
  • Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on September 17, as part of the two-day Telecoms World Middle East in Dubai
  • The conference will host 1,000 attendees, 200 speakers, and 600 telcos; Alepo will be at booth no. 51

Tuesday, August 21, 2018, Austin, TX, USA- Alepo has been shortlisted for the 2018 Telecoms World Middle East Awards. Its AAA has been nominated in The Innovation Award – Vendor category, which recognizes the core network and software solutions provider’s contribution to making “innovative technological advancement to telecommunications.”

Alepo has been shortlisted from a host of vendors operating in the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and North Africa.

AAA is an often-ignored part of operators’ networks, but it can have a transformative effect on overall network performance, resiliency, and customer experience. It is essentially responsible for ensuring that customers can access the services to which they have subscribed. When done right, the function is practically invisible. But when it goes wrong, it can mean disconnections, poor quality of service, and compromised security.

Alepo’s latest version overcomes several limitations of traditional AAA, including scalability, network heterogeneity (convergence), multimodal authentication methods, complete network virtualization, and integration with non-standard network elements. It is virtualized, high-performance, self-healing, open (via REST and API gateway), and highly configurable.

Used by some of the largest telcos in the Middle East including Saudi Telecom (STC) – and currently in the process of being deployed by one of the most established telcos in the region – it has helped operators reduce network disruptions, cut operational costs, improve customer experience, and increase security.

“We are heartened by the faith many of the Middle East’s biggest operators are placing in our technology to replace their legacy AAA with Alepo’s. The fact that operators across the region are seeing significant improvements is a strong vote of confidence for us. This awards nomination further bolsters our belief that the usually sleepy AAA market can and should be disrupted,” said Brian Scoble, Alepo’s Vice President of Sales (Middle East and Africa).

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on September 17. The awards are part of the two-day Telecoms World Middle East conference to be held in Dubai, bringing together the entire technology, media, and telecom ecosystem to discuss the digital revolution, technological developments, and the future landscape for MNOs, MVNOs, OTTs, suppliers and the wider industry. It is expected to host over 1,000 attendees, 200 speakers, and 600 telcos.

About Telecoms World Middle East

In 2004, Terrapinn brought the global Telecoms World brand to Dubai to serve the Gulf region. At that time, Middle Eastern telecom and mobile operators were in a period of rapid growth and searching for new ideas, and the technology that would enable them to revolutionise their business models. Today, while technologies have evolved, interest from key industry stakeholders and government is as strong as ever.

Telecoms World Middle East brings together leading executives from the wider region on one platform. It offers the opportunity to learn, as well as to network and build relationships with key stakeholders from across the TMT industry.

The annual Telecoms World Awards, now in their twelfth year, are the undisputed mark of success for the telecoms industry in the region.

For more information, please visit http://www.terrapinn.com/conference/telecoms-world-middle-east/index.stm.

About Alepo