What’s new in the OSS, BSS, and overall telecommunications world? 2023 is really the year that saw a massive comeback of in-person events, and Ericsson worked together with Telefónica Group to host the Ericsson OSS/BSS Summit again for the eleventh time last week, on the 14th and 15th of November. This summit is a significant event that telecom professionals, communication service providers (CSPs), and analysts eagerly await year by year, and it brings together many industry experts to discuss the latest developments and trends in operations, support, and business systems. I couldn’t go in person, but we had our ears and eyes on-site to help with the report.
This year’s summit was no exception, and they had an impressive lineup of speakers sharing their insights and best practices on a wide range of topics that the industry cares about for current trends and as an outlook into the near and far future. Attendees got the chance to network, exchange ideas, and deeply understand the latest technology and trends. In the heart of Madrid, the Ericsson OSS/BSS Summit 2023 came to life. This two-day event brought together global industry leaders and innovators, all eager to share their experiences transforming operational support system (OSS) and business support system (BSS) environments.
OSS/BSS Summit day one: Setting the tone
Telecommunications is a complex world, but Enrique Blanco, Group CTIO of Telefónica, made it seem almost simple in his keynote speech that kicked off the summit. Blanco didn’t just talk about buzzwords. He shared why and how they started working with OSS and BSS and shared his thoughts about cloud-native computing, open architecture, legacy technology shutdowns, and, of course, AI. He painted a vivid picture of what these elements mean for the future of telecom, which was complex yet sophisticated and optimistic.
The day continued with a series of presentations from Ericsson and senior leaders from global communication service providers. These sessions focused on topics like API exposure, automation, revenue generation, data use and management, network slicing, and AI. The summit’s first day closed with attendees feeling motivated and equipped with fresh insights and ideas to implement in their organizations.
OSS/BSS Summit day two: A deep dive into the future
After a flamenco-induced evening, everybody returned together for the morning of day two of the summit, fully recharged and energized. This presented an opportunity for attendees to delve deeper into critical topics. Vivo Brazil, a brand of Telefônica Brasil and Telefónica Group, led discussions on billing and charging evolution and autonomous network operations. These sessions provided practical insights into the applications and challenges of implementing new technologies and strategies.
Breakout sessions on 5G monetization, 5G slicing automation, customer experience, and analytics insights allowed attendees to engage in more detailed discussions. These sessions facilitated a deeper understanding of the technicalities involved in these areas, enabling attendees to learn from each other’s experiences and challenges.
Beyond “just talk”
Based on all the feedback from attendees and organizers alike, it seems like the OSS/BSS Summit 2023 hit all their goals and aspirations for what they wanted to achieve. It’s interesting to see the nation’s state in telecom tech and where everybody stands with topics like automation, AI, and cloudification. The event concluded with a sense of optimism about the industry’s ability to navigate complexity and ensure successful transformations, and I tend to agree with this as well.
Video: Gordon Rawling talks about the OSS/BSS Summit 2023
But beyond technology and talk, the summit reminded attendees that these transformations are also about people – the customers who rely on these services and the teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen. As we look to the future of telecom, it’s clear that the industry is in good hands, but also that it’s open to new ideas and inclusive to new people who might hail from other industries.
Key takeaways from the OSS/BSS Summit 2023
What will people remember about the OSS/BSS Summit 2023? Of course, everybody weighs various subjects differently based on their experiences and current position in the journey. Still, it makes sense to point out just a few critical aspects that seemed to be consensus among the speakers and the audience. One of the key takeaways from the summit was the importance of cloud-native computing in telecom transformation. This approach allows telecom companies to rapidly innovate, scale, and adapt to changing market demands. It’s no longer a question of if telecom companies will adopt cloud-native computing but when and how.
Video: Tatiana Fagundes talks about 5G network slicing
Openness is a topic that’s particularly dear to me, and I think open architecture was another hot topic at the summit. By adopting open architecture, telecom companies can break free from proprietary systems that limit innovation and flexibility. Instead, they can leverage modular, interoperable systems to rapidly deploy new services and adapt to changing customer needs. Nobody in our time and age should find themselves in a sort of vendor lock-in or a brownfield that nobody could easily maneuver out of, even if they saw the innovation right before their noses.
Legacy technology shutdowns were also a focus of discussion. As telecom companies modernize their networks, they must also phase out legacy technologies that are no longer efficient or effective. This process can be challenging, but it’s a necessary step towards a more agile and responsive telecom industry.
But, just like we all expected, AI was a hot potato most of the time across the days and sessions. Beyond mere marketing fluff and using it like an empty feature, everybody carefully considered the impact of AI and how it could be used safely to accelerate services and innovation. From automating routine tasks to predicting network failures, AI has the potential to change the way telecom companies operate and serve their customers. But as with any new technology, telecom companies must navigate the challenges of integrating AI into their operations while ensuring they adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations.
Looking ahead
All signals point toward the OSS/BSS Summit 2023 being a resounding success, showcasing the latest trends and innovations in telecom IT. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the industry is on the cusp of a new era. With automation, AI, and cloudification leading the charge, the future of telecom is bright – and the insights shared at the summit will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping this future.
Follow the Ericsson social media channels to catch any upcoming information or on-demand sessions they might publish. Beyond that, make sure you keep an eye out for the OSS/BSS Summit 2024, which will mark the 12th anniversary of the event. If you missed the event, you can catch the sessions here.
Photo credit: The images and videos shown in this article were done by Beverley Eve from TechMode, who permitted us to include these as part of this report about the OSS/BSS Summit 2023 event.
