Multi-partner ecosystems—the secret sauce for accelerating CSP innovation (Reader Forum)

Communications service providers (CSPs) are accelerating their cloud transformation journeys, shifting from centralized, vertically stacked networks to open frameworks that deliver choice, flexibility, and importantly, the opportunity to innovate quickly and compete with new products and services. But change brings inherent risk, and CSPs are equally focused on maintaining network performance and reliability as they embark on their network transformation journey (“first, do no harm…”). 

As CSPs work through their transformation roadmaps, alliances and multi-partner ecosystems help reduce transformation risk and accelerate the process. These ecosystems provide a validated, tested path to integrate emerging technologies. This provides CSPs with a platform to innovate and meet changing customer needs, the agility to scale, and the efficiency to reduce cost-of-service delivery. 

The multi-partner ecosystem concept is relatively new for CSPs, which historically have operated on closed networks that are designed to offer connectivity to a pre-defined number of users following a standard traffic profile. With a closed network, CSPs may ease some of their management burden, but there is lack of flexibility which limits growth opportunities. However, the introduction of even an incremental change in a closed environment comes with complexities due to interdependencies. On the other hand, open and disaggregated networks don’t have these limitations, allowing for greater flexibility and accelerated implementation – essential elements for innovation. 

A successful multi-partner ecosystem consists of a group of partners aligned on the vision, objectives and the outcomes the group wants to drive that enables CSPs to successfully transition into an open disaggregated network. Every partner brings their expertise to the table – whether it’s an application, a platform solution, hardware or services – to meet the specific needs of the CSP. 

However, it’s much more than a list of preferred providers. Ecosystem partners commit to “deep collaboration” – R&D, testing, delivery, and support — and as a result give CSP leaders the ability to overcome FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt)-fueled inertia. 

Multi-partner ecosystems offer benefits for CSPs that include: 

• Coordinated research and development where the community of partners works together to develop, test, validate, and certify solutions, which reduces risk and accelerates time to market. 
• Best-in-breed, pre-engineered, and pre-validated hardware and software solutions to support CSP workloads. The ready availability of these tested solutions makes it easier and faster for CSPs to confidently innovate with new workloads and services. 
• Seamlessly integrated services and support model for CSPs to consume the disaggregated solutions with a similar (if not better) support experience vs their existing networks More efficient use of budget and human resources. 

Recent research confirms the need for cloud transformation: 88% of CSPs say an open network architecture is necessary to be a best-in-class provider. 

In the same study, just 38% of CSPs rated their future-readiness as “ideal.” Aside from resource and budget considerations, these CSPs also identified their top three challenges to open network transformation: the time required, performance/reliability concerns during the evolution, and security concerns. Combined, these factors contribute to a form of organizational inertia that is hindering their ability to move forward, and with nearly nine in 10 CSPs saying transforming their networks is critical to their organization’s survival, the status quo is not an option. 

Globe Telecom is an excellent example of a CSP that is accelerating innovation and realizing value from a multi-partner ecosystem. Like many CSPs, Globe Telecom wanted to build an open, cloud-native network to deliver the best network experience for its customers. But testing and integrating various vendors demanded too much time and budget. Ultimately, Globe Telecom turned to a multi-partner ecosystem with Dell Technologies, Amdocs, and Red Hat to adopt a fully supported, cloud-native network stack for 5G core network use cases that delivers built-in automation. 

Working together, the ecosystem partners improve deployment time, increase the efficiency of network operations, and provide faster validation of hardware and software compatibility. Globe’s engineering staff can now focus on value-add applications and services that support customers and business growth. 

Choosing the right partners 

Experienced partners can help guide CSPs through the transformation process, providing an opportunity to realize all the benefits an open framework can deliver for their business, including greater flexibility and operational efficiencies. 

Here are key things to look for when selecting a vendor as part of your multi-partner ecosystem: 

• Established partnerships with key vendors and having proven cloud transformation successes 
• Common vision on benefits of an open network ecosystem and how that enables CSPs to transform their business 
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing joint research and development within the ecosystem to drive great open network adoption 
• Resources and established processes for testing, validation, and certification 
• Coordinated on-going support and services
  Embracing change and moving forward is easier, faster, and more predictable when a committed community of trusted partners helps navigate the complexities of the cloud transformation journey.