Commercial context

CSPs are making significant investments to capitalize on 5G, with an estimated $600 billion being spent by 2025, according to McKinsey. These investments are focused not only on improving pure connectivity, but also on creating an architecture that makes the development and integration of new products and services as easy as possible for the broader ecosystem. This new generation of services is based on access to CSPs’ Connectivity-as-a-Service (CaaS) offerings to meet the specific needs of each use case. This means CSPs need a marketplace of partners to monetize network deployments.

To enable this, CSPs are using solutions such as CAMARA, TM Forum APIs and TM Forum Open Digital Architecture (ODA) to improve the deployment and management of these new network capabilities. These are critical to enabling fully automated solutions that partners can seamlessly integrate into their applications. For example, network slicing enables the creation of multiple virtual networks on a single infrastructure, allowing CSPs to offer tailored services for different vertical industries. However, current deployment processes are not advanced enough to commercialize these services, so more sophisticated solutions are required.

The solution works

The Convergent B2B2C access via ODA marketplace – Phase III Catalyst aims to solve such difficulties. The solution is to use the resources of the TM Forum to fundamentally improve the capabilities of CSPs’ operational support systems (OSS) and adapt them to the new 5G technologies. The resources of the TM Forum, including APIs, ODA components and standards, play a crucial role in enabling CSPs to efficiently deliver adaptable and high-quality services.

ODA components provide a modular and flexible framework that supports rapid deployment and scaling of services. ODA’s engagement domain interfaces with customer-facing applications and ensures that when a service is requested, the appropriate resources are allocated and the service is delivered efficiently. By focusing on leveraging the engagement domain, the solution ensures that user interactions are seamless and services can be quickly scaled to meet demand.

The TM Forum Open APIs are critical for automating and integrating various operational tasks and ensuring seamless communication between different systems and components. Key APIs include those for service order management, service catalog management, event management, service inventory management, service test management, resource inventory management, product inventory management, invoice management, and service quality management. These APIs enable CSPs to automate the entire order-to-cash process, from service qualification and provisioning to assurance and invoicing.

For example, when a user orders an augmented reality (AR) experience in a stadium through an app, the APIs process the service order, manage the network resources, and ensure high-quality service. The solution then optimizes the order-to-cash cycle and ensures fast and accurate invoicing, payment processing, and service activation. This efficiency minimizes delays and increases customer satisfaction. The scalability and flexibility of the OSS enable CSPs to effectively manage network resources and ensure seamless connectivity even during peak periods.

Collectively, these components ensure seamless integration and smooth operation of services and provide a framework for delivering high-quality on-demand products. In addition, Catalyst aims to develop new ODA standards and use cases to meet emerging requirements. These new standards will enhance CSPs’ ability to offer programmable network functions through standard APIs, fostering a dynamic and responsive service environment.

Wider application and added value

By leveraging these TM Forum resources, the solution enables CSPs to efficiently deliver network slicing services to different verticals and enhance OSS to provide customizable communication quality of service (QoS). So far, the Catalyst has already proven its success in stadium applications. In this scenario, the solution has enabled visitors to order services such as AR experiences, live video and audio feeds, and more through an app. When they select these services, they receive an automatic communication service boost to ensure optimal performance. This customized service model can be extended to different audiences in the stadium, such as referees, fans, and team managers.

The different applications and users accessing a given service at any given time are supported by monetization models, allowing third-party service providers to focus on developing their core service rather than dealing with every aspect of integration. As you might expect, this new form of dynamic OSS capabilities can be used beyond Arena use cases as well. There is significant potential in deploying this solution in a variety of high-demand environments. By enabling high-quality on-demand communications boosts in specific locations, CSPs can ultimately improve the user experience, create premium offerings, and generate significant revenue.

According to Tri Trinh, research engineer at VNPT, “This catalyst helps CSPs open up their ecosystems to third-party developers and enterprises, enabling them to tap into the fast-growing immersive entertainment market, which is expected to reach $420 billion by 2030. Ultimately, this can provide new growth opportunities for the industry by offering programmable network capabilities through standard APIs. By automating CaaS fulfillment and insurance, CSPs can open up a new market for third-party developers, enable innovative business models, and realize the full potential of 5G technology.”