The Telecom Industry’s Achilles’ Heel: Complexity and Convergence
In the never-ending quest to stay ahead of the curve, telecommunications companies are perpetually wrestling with the beast of complexity. It’s a sector that requires constant investment, innovation, and adaptation to remain relevant in a digital society. However, the complexity of their operations can be a significant obstacle to success.
As Elie Abouatme, Director Telecom & Media, GTM EMEA at ServiceNow, so aptly put it, "The biggest mistake telcos make is pulling back on investments during economic slowdowns. To stay ahead and deliver value, continuous investment is essential, even in challenging times."
The telecom industry is notorious for its labyrinthine networks, legacy systems, and technical debt. It’s a sector that has been plagued by fragmentation, where different systems, processes, and data formats create silos that hinder collaboration and innovation.
The Power of Convergence
But what if there was a way to overcome this complexity and converge these disparate systems into a unified whole? Enter the service platform. These platforms are designed to act as a convergence layer, gathering data from multiple systems and channelling it through a single, unified process.
By using a service platform, telcos can address the twin challenges of declining profitability and technical debt. The platform can enhance efficiency and productivity, expand automation, and unify data from operational systems. It’s a game-changer for the telecom industry.
The Risk of Convergence
Of course, there are risks involved with convergence. As Muhammed Omar, ServiceNow’s Africa Country Manager, warned, "The biggest risk with telco convergence is that they can break a lot of stuff in the process." But by using a service platform, the risk is transferred to the platform, which is designed to keep evolving and adding new features.
In the end, the best telcos will be those that can navigate the complex landscape of convergence and emerge stronger, more agile, and more innovative. As Abouatme said, "Convergence through platforms is a successful strategy… The risk transfers to the platform, and the business gets a single data standard, stack-wide visibility, and processes that plug into all parts of the business for better efficiency and innovation."
The Future of Telecom
The future of the telecom industry will be shaped by the ability of companies to converge their complex systems and operations into a unified whole. It’s a challenge that requires investment, innovation, and adaptability. But for those that succeed, the rewards will be substantial.
In the words of Abouatme, "The way to get out of the decline is to enhance efficiency and productivity, expand automation, and unify the data from operational systems." It’s a mantra that will guide the telecom industry as it navigates the complexities of convergence and emerges stronger, more agile, and more innovative than ever before.
