<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Northstreaming - Engagements</title><atom:link href="http://northstream.se" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://northstream.se</link><description></description><language>en-us</language><copyright>Copyright (C) 2009 mywebsite.com</copyright><item><title>Market Analysis: Northstream assisted a European payment provider with competitor and market opportunity analysis (Q502)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/market-analysis-northstream-assisted-a-european-payment-provider-with-competitor-and-market-opportunity-analysis/</link><pubDate>Sun 14 Apr 2013</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[Northstream was asked to research and analyze the competitive landscape for the client in direct operator billing arena. Northstream profiled the selected competing solutions and analyzed the market offerings, partner networks and overall go-to-market strategies of operator billing. In order to provide more understanding on the positioning of each player in this market, the results from the competitive analysis were compared with the client&#039;s own offering. Additionally Northstream analyzed and ranked a list of chosen target clients in OTT service provider and application store markets, allowing deeper understanding of how direct operator billing relates to the services offered by these companies.


]]></description></item><item><title>Network Modernization and Rollout: Northstream managed IMS and AXE networks modernization project (Q500)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/network-modernization-and-rollout-modernization-of-ims-and-axe-networks-q500/</link><pubDate>Fri 12 Apr 2013</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[Northstream assisted a leading network operator in Sweden with the planning and execution of upgrading and modernizing their IMS and AXE networks. The Northstream team supported the sourcing process and negotiation between the operator and the infrastructure supplier up until contract signing. In addition and preparing for project start, Northstream supported the network organization in running workshops with the supplier and strategic planning of the implementation, testing, and migration phases of the project. furthermore Northstream assumed project management responsibility in the first six months of the roll-out project managing the activities and coordinating with internal operator stakeholders and the infrastructure supplier.
]]></description></item><item><title>Technology strategy review: Northstream provides insight on mobile industry technology trends (Q501)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/technology-strategy-review-northstream-provides-insight-on-mobile-industry-technology-trends-q501/</link><pubDate>Fri 12 Apr 2013</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[A large system supplier asked Northstream to provide external views on the development of the mobile industry, in order to complement the vendor&#039;s own viewpoints. Through workshops and compilation of internal industry knowledge, Northstream assembled a forward-looking material that analyzed industry development over the past ten years, the current state of the industry and what can be expected over the next few years. The project results enabled the client to further understand mobile industry development in order to stay visionary and to allocate development resources accordingly.
]]></description></item><item><title>LTE and Managed Services: Northstream managed the process to establish contracts for both LTE and Managed Services in a very time precious situation (Q497)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/lte-and-managed-services-northstream-managed-the-process-to-establish-contracts-for-both-lte-and-managed-services-in-a-very-time-precious-situation-q497/</link><pubDate>Fri 01 Feb 2013</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[Without yet having started discussions on LTE system or services contracts with any supplier a European operator had decided to launch and go live with LTE within 7 months. Simultaneously, the operator was for various reasons forced to replace its current Managed Services partner. Thus, given the timing requirements, the operator faced an immense challenge to swiftly initiate and complete RFP processes for both the LTE network and the managed services (including that of the existing 3G network). These two processes would in a normal situation be considered a 4-8 month activity.

Together with the operator, Northstream set up a project with an aggressive strategy and schedule to fulfil the very rigid objectives without having to compromise on quality or result. Northstream managed to establish trust with the potential suppliers on the feasibility of the time plan and approach, as a vital element for succeeding with the undertaking is that suppliers are comfortable with the process and prepared to &#039;walk that extra mile&#039;. In tight conjunction with the operator&#039;s various stakeholders Northstream developed the RFP material, negotiated contracts and closed agreements for both the managed services and the LTE infrastructure, all within two months after the initial discussions. 

Some of Northstream&#039;s key contributions in the process were:
• An agile and swift process with results focus - normal processes needed redefinition to handle the extraordinary time constraints
• Clear evaluation methods with focus on the key objectives needed to achieve for the operator
• A momentum driven negotiation method through clear and consistent communication and creation of a competitive environment despite the time constraints and complexity in projects

]]></description></item><item><title>Multi-play offering strategy: Northstream assessed options for multi-play cable operator to add a mobile component (Q496)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/multi-play-offering-strategy-northstream-assessed-options-for-multi-play-cable-operator-to-add-a-mobile-component-q496/</link><pubDate>Mon 31 Dec 2012</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[A European cable TV, broadband and telephony operator wanted to explore the possibility to expand its portfolio to also include a mobile offering. The company operates in a market where multi-play is omnipresent but not necessarily viewed as a critical component for competitiveness. Northstream was asked to investigate and assess alternative mobile service offering scenarios, their respective fit with the existing product portfolio and the potential effect it would have on the operator&#039;s overall market position, subscriber base, churn rate and financials.

The emphasis was on two scenarios; a virtual network scenario and a spectrum/infrastructure scenario. 

Northstream analysed, modelled and assessed multiple mobile service offerings, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and developed recommendations on the strategic options available to the operator and the importance of adding a mobile component to their service portfolio. Material was developed to support the client interaction with stakeholders such as corporate board and potential host operators for a virtual network. In addition, Northstream valued different options and scenarios to support subsequent participation in a spectrum auction.
]]></description></item><item><title>Repositioning telephony service for a fixed operator: Northstream assessed the strategy for introducing a smartphone app, as well as client&#039;s pricing strategy (Q495)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/repositioning-telephony-service-for-a-fixed-operator-northstream-assessed-the-strategy-for-introducing-a-smartphone-app-as-well-as-clients-pricing-strategy-q495/</link><pubDate>Mon 31 Dec 2012</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[A European cable TV, broadband and fixed telephony operator was investigating the roll out of a smartphone app combined with a complete overhaul of its telephony pricing schemes. The fixed telephony market was in general losing both revenues and profitability in the wake of fixed to mobile substitution, increasingly inactive subscribers and dropping price points / all you can eat offers coming from the mobile telephony operators.
Northstream was asked to assess the suggested functionality/positioning of the application from an industry, market and business case perspectives, as well as analyse the potential impact of the new suggested pricing schemes. Northstream developed a financial model to compare the scenarios, value at risk and potential upsides of the different alternatives.
The material was used to support the launch decision as well as adjust the suggested price points of the schemes.
]]></description></item><item><title>Transition Management: Northstream supported operator during transition phase in outsourcing execution </title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/transition-management-northstream-supported-operator-during-transition-phase-in-outsourcing-execution/</link><pubDate>Mon 31 Dec 2012</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[Following an RFP process, led by Northstream consultants, a mobile operator decided to contract a supplier to deliver Managed Services for the major part of its operations. As a consequence of this decision, the scope of the previous Managed Services supplier as well as a number of employees in the operator&#039;s organization were to be transitioned to the new Managed Service supplier. Northstream was contracted to continue its support in this process and lead the transition activities on behalf of the operator customer. The responsibilities of Northstream included Transition Management, Change Management, Process re-engineering and Contract Management. 
]]></description></item><item><title>BSS/OSS Portfolio and Services: Northstream assesses an operators IT department spin-out plans (Q488)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/bssoss-portfolio-and-services-northstream-assesses-an-operators-it-department-spin-out-plans-q488/</link><pubDate>Mon 24 Dec 2012</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[Business and Operational Support Systems (BSS and OSS) enable a network operator&#039;s (MNO) customer facing functions such as billing and product management, and the management of network resources respectively. This market is increasingly dominated by large, global players strong in enterprise software or network infrastructure. The market is transitioning to more flexible and open source solutions. To better understand the opportunity to spin out an in-house developed portfolio of solutions, a MNO Group asked Northstream to assess the capabilities of their solution in the context of the competition and the development of the market.

Northstream identified and assessed potential go to market paths within the capabilities of the MNOs solutions. A wide range of BSS/OSS buyers, sellers and consultants were interviewed to gain a global view on the different opportunities matching the capabilities of the client. Northstream discovered high barriers to entry and sales process challenges for some go to market paths but was able to validate an alternative path. Strategic guidance was provided to support the client towards a successful spin-out and commercial launch.
]]></description></item><item><title>Innovation and trend analysis: Northstream assists client to find innovative hot beds and consumer trends (Q486)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/innovation-and-trend-analysis-northstream-assists-client-to-find-innovative-hot-beds-and-consumer-trends/</link><pubDate>Mon 17 Dec 2012</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[Silicon Valley is generally regarded as the most innovative region in the world in regards to technology and Internet services. At the same time, the Valley has extremely high competition among investors to find and secure potentially successful startup companies. The client, a global telecom operator, asked Northstream to analyze various regions in Europe to identify potential innovation hubs comparable to Silicon Valley. Northstream analyzed venture capital flows, previous success cases and additional significant innovation parameters. In addition Northstream provided insight on consumer technology trends that may become hot for venture capital. The result served as key input to the client&#039;s planning process for subsequent in-depth scouting for innovative technology concepts and companies.]]></description></item><item><title>CEO advisory: Northstream provides continuous insight to executive management (Q484)</title><link>http://northstream.se/engagements/ceo-advisory-northstream-provides-continuous-insight-to-executive-management-q487/</link><pubDate>Sun 16 Dec 2012</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Engagements]]></category><description><![CDATA[The mobile landscape is in considerable change with mobile broadband and smartphone growth in addition to large scale LTE network roll out programs. A successful telecom operator with operations in a variety of markets requested Northstream to provide continued external advisory support to the CEO. The engagement allowed executive management to benefit from inputs based on Northstream&#039;s experience from strategy and operation at operators and supplier in different situations and stages around the world. As part of the ongoing assignment Northstream supported the operator group in the process of reviewing its overall strategy and how to best address its various markets, exploit its diverse assets and identify profitable and sustainable growth opportunities.]]></description></item></channel></rss> 
