The Telecom industry faces the challenge of how to charge for usage, subscription or advertising revenue share, and to effectively market these value-add lifestyle and communications services.

At the moment, IP services convergence is a hot topic and the market is moving in a number of ways. I expect the three key markets – fixed, mobile and ISP – will eventually converge in a similar direction. As both consumer and business broadband technologies gain pace and increased bandwidth allows more esoteric and converged rich media IP services, the customers’ electronic lifestyle and communications experience opportunities broaden considerably. The challenge for the industry is how to charge for usage, subscription or advertising revenue share and to market effectively these value-add lifestyle and communications services. Cost effective operations are also key to competitive success.

Towards an IP Network System
Furthermore, many telecoms are migrating towards an IP network system because the IP infrastructure can respond very quickly to competitive threats. And ultimately has a far lower cost of ownership than legacy networks. As network transmission technology, it is designed for the long-term; companies will have investments to make, but they will also have an applications platform-based system which can serve the consumer and business market with business segment, lifestyle, consumer choice and community based communications, business and entertainment services. To a far greater extent and better economic cost than currently, the telecoms market is approaching the bespoke retail consumer goods market with the Internet and IP networks as the distribution channel.

Atos Origin supports the five technology components involved in delivering value-added IP services to business and consumer which are broadly: (1) Core Network, (2) Access Network, (3) Intelligent Network (IN) controllers, (4) Service Delivery Platforms (the technology that delivers or ‘plays out’ the service over the network), and (5) the customer and operational support systems (billing, order management, activation etc. so-called BSS/OSS).  Each of these aspects is maturing rapidly in the fast-paced IP convergence market.

Leading-Edge Capabilities
Here, Atos Origin is developing leading edge consulting, integration and operations capability and in several of these relating to business case, architecture, platform build and operations particularly mobile TV and ISP broadband operational support we are already strong with excellent sales. Atos Origin is leading with key vendors and equipment manufacturers the TeleManagement Forum IP enabled Product and Service Assembly (PSA) Catalyst programme which sets out to define optimal architectures for customer support and operational support of converged IP services.

A key technology enabling fixed and mobile convergence is also so called IMS (IP Media Subsystem). IMS merges two of the most successful paradigms of the communications world: mobile networks and the internet.  It represents an evolutionary step in network architecture which will enable application and content. Our clients are forging ahead with trials involving Video on Demand, IPTV, Mobile TV, Push to Talk mobile services and Wimax/WiFi/3G interoperability encompassing  IMS standards.

As Consultant and Systems Integrator Atos Origin is leading the debate and trialing prototype solutions with our key vendor partners on a European wide basis. The System integrator of IMS focused IP services today will be the multi–million euro contract holder for IP service managed operations tomorrow!

Mark Becker
Managing Director, Telecoms and Media UK

Mark is a Managing Director, Telecoms & Media Sector (UK), responsible for the business and solutions development, and executive client relationships. He is also responsible for the business development of Telecoms Consulting and Converged IP Services solutions globally as part of the GMM(T) leadership team.