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TeleChoice Provides Mobile Wireless Operators Roadmap to Migrating
to 2.5G and 3G Networks
August 30, 2002
As the debate over the migration to 2.5G and 3G wireless networks
continues, TeleChoice, Inc., a leading consultancy which serves
as the strategic catalyst for the telecommunications industry, is
issuing a "mock" request for proposal (RFP) that will help wireless
operators as they look to migrate to 2.5G/3G networks. The document,
"A Guide for Mobile Wireless Operators in the Evolution to 2.5G
and 3G Networks," is being released today and is now available.
(Registered users at Webtorials.Com may access the document directly
at: http://www.webtorials.com/eduweb/wireless/ and others may access
it after registering (at no charge) at http://www.webtorials.com/register.html)
"Many wireless providers have told us the largest challenge they
face in migrating to 2.5 and 3G wireless technology is being able
to frame the issues surrounding the overall move to next-generation
mobile; in other words, how can they address the network, operational,
and revenue-generating issues associated with such a change," says
Claudia Bacco, President of TeleChoice. "This RFP helps to address
these issues and accelerate the migration process so new services
can be launched quickly to generate incremental revenues."
Bacco added that the evolution of wireless networks to 2.5G to
3G and eventually all-IP networks is not easy and is fraught with
trade-offs. "We have been told by service providers and vendors
that a document such as our 'mock' RFP would be extremely useful
in deciding both when and how to execute such a move."
Increasing customer churn, lack of services differentiation, and
lower ARPU are hitting wireless service providers at the same time
as alternative services are starting to woo customer pocketbooks.
This is creating pressure on wireless providers to generate new
services in order to achieve customer retention and grow their own
market share. Upgrades to 2.5G and 3G technologies will be needed
to obtain the necessary spectrum efficiencies and data speeds to
offer these new services.
The TeleChoice mock RFP addresses two major areas: the architecture
required for the new networks including network components and capabilities,
and the drivers beyond the technology and components required to
be successful, such as service enablement, security and resilience,
revenue and cost management, and future-proofing.
The architecture section discusses what new components need to
be placed in the network, where and when they should be placed in
the network, and what capabilities these components should possess.
"Progressive wireless operators clearly understand the need to develop
a purpose-built next-generation network that will enable them to
efficiently offer new services for both business and residential
users," advises David Mancuso, Director of Marketing for WaterCove
Networks. "This new approach to evaluating infrastructure will allow
them to maximize the deployment of profitable services and migrate
networks from 2.5G to 3G and eventually all-IP networks, minimizing
expensive fork-lift upgrades."
The second section includes a list of potential new services, noting
when in the provider's evolution the services will likely be introduced,
how services are typically tested and launched, and the kind of
support needed from the vendor. "This Mock RFP highlights the issues
wireless carriers are confronting as they evaluate their 2.5 and
3G migration strategies," says Joel Hughes, SnowShore CEO. "Creating
compelling profitable services is essential in today's wireless
world, and this mock RFP can serve as a roadmap to help carriers
evaluate their service infrastructure needs."
Revenue and cost management is highlighted in the RFP to provide
information on how wireless operators can enhance profitability
through either increasing revenues or managing costs better. "In
many cases, microservices and content delivery will run on slim
margins and will be high volume transactions, so the ability to
manage profitability on these types of services will be critical.
One or two points in revenue or cost will be the difference between
success and failure," says Bob Becklund, VP Business Development
and Marketing, Vibrant Solutions. "As the services get more complex
and services bundles more comprehensive, there is even more pressure
to manage costs and control partner relationships."
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