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The world of telecom is changing fast, and managing complex networks is getting harder. But there's good news: GIS (Geographic Information System) is here to help and is changing how we plan, design, and manage our telecom networks. Let's explore a few ways using GIS makes a big difference.
The telecoms market is seeing rapid change, perhaps even faster than we first expected. Alongside this, the current economic climate has caused a push for network operators to shift focus from network expansion to connecting customers. That has sadly meant that reductions in headcount have been a common theme, as evidenced in a recent study showing that 76% of communications service providers (CSPs) surveyed had reduced their workforce in the last 6 years.1
These reductions, coupled with those leaving the industry due to retirement, have created a collective ‘brain drain’ with the knowledge tied up in systems, processes, and network architecture now at risk of being lost. Based on these challenges, operators will need to do more with less to operate efficiently.
In recent blog posts, we explored fault resolution using 3-GIS tools (such as OTDR Trace and Single Point of Failure) and discussed common reasons customers may dial up their service providers for assistance. While addressing individual issues is crucial, it’s also important to understand the broader implications of network outages. Today, we’ll dive into the larger impacts of network outages, including the financial, operational, and customer service challenges they pose.
It may come as no surprise that the surge in network demand has resulted in a corresponding increase in reported issues. This uptick in inquiries has left many internet service providers' (ISPs) customer support departments feeling the strain. But what's driving these calls, and more importantly, how can we effectively address them? Let’s dive into three common reasons customers seek assistance and explore ways to address these concerns, alleviate the burden on support teams, and reduce call volume.
The telecommunications industry is marked by fierce competition, especially as service providers worldwide strive to establish themselves as 5G front runners. For one major telecommunications company, the journey to implement 5G was riddled with a significant obstacle: the necessity to lay down 2,000 route miles of fiber each month to adhere to their ambitious rollout targets. However, their existing systems posed a severe constraint, yielding a meager output of merely 200 to 300 route miles monthly. Faced with this stark reality, it became evident that a shift was imperative if they were to keep stride with the relentless demands of the industry.
Telecommunications is witnessing a surge in broadband development, especially in rural areas, driven largely by substantial funding initiatives from governments and private investors. This has sparked a race among incumbents and emerging contenders to rapidly expand their fiber footprints. However, securing funding is just one aspect of the larger picture.
After planning, engineering, field verification, and construction, it was finally time to help our client open for service! Success required seamless coordination across all aspects of our operations, from marketing strategies to customer installations.
Once we traversed the realms of planning, engineering, and field verification, we were ready to start construction. This was our biggest challenge. Construction was the moment where theory met reality, and we were determined to turn our vision into tangible infrastructure. However, the path ahead was riddled with obstacles and divergent opinions, particularly when it came to meeting the needs of the contractor community and ensuring swift progress.