Yankee Group: 4G B/OSS: Oxymoron or Mandate?

Executive Summary

It’s no secret the communications industry is rushing headlong into this thing called “4G.” Communications service providers (CSPs) have committed to multi-billion dollar investments in the hardware, firmware, devices, software and professional services needed to stand up 4G networks for better, faster, cheaper and more reliable offers. Beyond the hype, however, the move to 4G represents the next step in the overall evolution of the industry, one that moves the world closer to Yankee Group’s Anywhere vision of ubiquitous, high-speed, digital networks connecting people and things.

While these networks are being deployed, it is important to remember they do not run themselves. A complex mesh of people, processes and technology come together to fulfill the operations mission. And most of the software being used is not tied to a particular generation of network hardware. So is there really a 4G business and operational support system (B/OSS) to be had? The point of 4G B/OSS may be endlessly arguable, but one thing is certain: The industry is changing, and customers have come to expect high-quality, always-on, affordable services delivered immediately. They want the latest devices and they want to influence the way these devices are used, including how and when they consume the services provided on these devices. Finally, consumers want a multimedia, multi-application experience that is delivered via world-class retailing practices.

Keywords

4G, B/OSS, bandwidth, CSP

Pages
Publish Date & Author(s)

by Susan McNeice, Vice President
8 pages
October 2010