Bangalore: User experience and progress in network technologies are inextricably linked: User experience drives network development, and progress in network technologies guides improvements in user experience. As an improved user experience coincides with cutting-edge mobile networks, a new round of opportunities avails itself to the telecom industry.

The telecom industry as a whole needs to closely adhere to the following 10 key issues to take full advantage of this round of opportunities.

1. The Mobile Network Enters The Gigabit Era—It’s Time To Build Ubiquitous Broadband Networks

The biggest bottleneck for current mobile networks is insufficient bandwidth capacity. Compared with fixed networks, mobile networks still have a long way to go in terms of user experience, and it is only through building mobile broadband networks with traffic at a gigabit level that user experience can improve. In this scenario, innovations in architecture and continuous cost reductions for networks will support the sustainable development of mobile broadband services provided by operators.

2. Implement Intelligent Optical Network Management, And Embrace The Advent Of All Optical Access

In the telecom industry, copper wires have been managed manually for over 100 years. Since copper wires are highly inefficient in operational terms, managing them is the most expensive part of network maintenance. As the industry begins to evolve toward optical access, enhanced cable deployment, maintenance and troubleshooting, fault correction and intelligent optical network management are all core measures that can be used to promote optical network development.

3. The Telecom Industry Needs To Further Its Transformation Toward ALL IP Networks And Enter An All Packet Phase

Over the past two decades, IP technologies have developed at unprecedented speeds. Telecom networks today are a hybrid of time division multiplexing (TDM) and Internet Protocol (IP). In the future, Single networks based on ALL IP will be the inevitable trend. The telecom industry needs to further its transformation toward ALL IP and complete service migration, network convergence, network interconnectivity, and changes in operation and maintenance to lead the industry into an all packet phase.

4. IT Infrastructure Based On Cloud Computing Is The Prerequisite For Building Networks Based On Data Centralization And Data Centers

Data has replaced voice as the main content on networks, enabling data centers to replace voice switching. This development adds new meaning to flattening, which is an ongoing topic in network development. New technologies, such as virtual and distributed storage as well as parallel computing based on cloud computing, make it possible to build exabyte computing and storage capacities. In addition, IT infrastructure based on cloud computing is the prerequisite for building networks based on data centralization and data centers.

5. Operations Support Systems/Business Support Systems (OSS/BSS) Must Be Modernized To Adapt To An Open Environment In The Industry Chain And The On-demand Operational Model

User requirements have transformed the telecom industry priority from cost efficiency to value creation, in turn changing the telecom industry from a completely closed system to a completely open system. The modernization and renovation of operators’ IT systems means that there is a need to focus on creating value for users and building an open industry chain to support the end-to-end process of product design and development, product market entry, and value distribution. These systems need to support package design by users as well as package selection and bandwidth selection in order to provide users with the maximum amount of freedom and power to control these systems.

6. Provide Insights Into Customer Needs And Build Adaptable Enterprises Based On Big Data Analyses

In the open Internet age, user requirements are individualized and dynamic. Under the ALL IP architecture, automation and statistical multiplexing have been achieved in networks, and both network quality and Quality of Service (QoS) assurances are dynamic. By analyzing Big Data, operators can provide insights into networks and user requirements, build adaptable enterprises, offer better user experiences and services, and explore more business opportunities.

7. Build Resilient And Intelligent Networks, And Support On-demand Bandwidth Operations

Network and bandwidth are the bases for operators’ business operations, with networks becoming more intelligent and resilient. This trend bodes well for on-demand user experiences, which enable users to freely select bandwidth and services based on their own needs. In addition, the provision of on-demand services will improve network efficiency and utilization while reducing network costs.

8. Integrate Digital Media Content, And Build Digital Distribution Channels Across Various Platforms

As digital content flourishes and networks serve as channels on which digital media is distributed, traditional content delivery channels are disrupted. Integrating digital media content and achieving a cross-platform (mobile phone/PC/TV/PAD) on-demand user experience will be a future trend for media content providers, presenting them with a significant strategic opportunity.

9. Integrate The IT Supply Chain, And Harness The Impact Of Cloud Computing On The Existing IT Business Model To Transform ICT

Cloud computing has completely transformed the business model of the IT industry, shifting the focus from selling products to selling services. The ongoing popularity of broadband networks is a prerequisite for cloud computing services. Based on innate advantages such as localized services, network assurance, security, and trustworthiness, operators take great efforts to integrate IT applications and communication capabilities. This enables end-to-end ICT solutions, which can provide ICT services to enterprises, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, this integration allows small-sized enterprises to enjoy the ICT capabilities of large enterprises.

10. Provide Trustworthy Information Services To Ensure Cyber Security And Privacy Protection

Open IP networks and cloud computing models have elevated the importance of information security and privacy protection. In light of this, operators need to build end-to-end security architectures—including the basic architecture, data protection, application protection, and legal compliance—to provide security solutions that fully protect user information and privacy for both users and enterprises.

Although the concept of an information society has been bandied about for years, actual information-based development has just begun. The ongoing pursuit of better user experiences will continuously drive the transformation of information services. The development of telecom networks and technologies will also enter a new development phase. The combination of optimizing user experiences and network technologies will undoubtedly drive information services into stronger synergies and promote new applications and technologies.

Courtesy: Huawei