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Multi-play offering strategy: Northstream assessed options for multi-play cable operator to add a mobile component (Q496)
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’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.
2012 | Northstream
Repositioning telephony service for a fixed operator: Northstream assessed the strategy for introducing a smartphone app, as well as client's pricing strategy (Q495)
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.
2012 | Northstream
Transition Management: Northstream supported operator during transition phase in outsourcing execution
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’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.
2012 | Northstream
BSS/OSS Portfolio and Services: Northstream assesses an operators IT department spin-out plans (Q488)
Business and Operational Support Systems (BSS and OSS) enable a network operator’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.
2012 | Northstream
Innovation and trend analysis: Northstream assists client to find innovative hot beds and consumer trends (Q486)
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's planning process for subsequent in-depth scouting for innovative technology concepts and companies.
2012 | Northstream
CEO advisory: Northstream provides continuous insight to executive management (Q484)
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’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.
2012 | Northstream
Unified Communication: Northstream assesses a leading vendor’s offering (Q481)
Enterprise Unified Communications (UC) software serves to enhance enterprise communication by making phone, email, instant messaging, virtual conferencing and more accessible through a single interface. This market is at present dominated by large, global players strong in enterprise software or IT infrastructure. To better understand the possible future development scenarios, a telecom player asked Northstream to analyse the offering of a leading UC vendor and to develop a view on future market developments.
Northstream assessed the UC offering in terms of technology, packaging, pricing model, distribution channels and partner network. The research was complemented and verified by stakeholder interviews with industry experts, partners and current as well as potential clients of the evaluated vendor’s UC offering. Northstream provided the client with a full UC portfolio breakdown including future scenarios along with descriptions of potential market impact, allowing them to make decisions on their own engagements in this area.
2012 | Northstream
Multi play service offering: Assessing strategies for a cable TV and broadband operator to enter the mobile market
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’s overall market position, subscriber base, churn rate and financials.
With an emphasis on a virtual network 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 (or not) of adding a mobile component to their service portfolio. Material was developed to support the client with stakeholders interactions such as corporate board and potential host operators for a virtual network.
2012 | Northstream
Network infrastructure transformation: Northstream studied mobile operators’ views and strategies for modernising their core networks
An infrastructure supplier mandated Northstream to study mobile operators’ potential transition to virtualized and cloud based solutions for their Telecom and IT platforms. Mobile operators are pressured to improve the efficiency and flexibility in their networks, and this study focused on understanding whether improvements and cost savings can be achieved via virtualization of in particular core network platforms. It was assumed that Mobile operators envisage generic multi-purpose hardware solutions on which new and modified software and applications can be added as needs arise, and our study focused on challenges and requirements involved in such a transition.
In combination with research and internal thought process, Northstream interviewed selected mobile operators to discuss and understand needs, requirements, challenges and plans associated with network transformations. Based on the analysis, Northstream provided our client with advice and an improved understanding of the emerging environment in which their network solutions must fit.
2012 | Northstream
Innovation Scouting: Northstream reviewed innovative companies for operator client
Based on Northstream’s track record in finding small to medium companies with innovative products and services, a European mobile operator client asked for support in finding companies that could fit their product development roadmap. Northstream applied its Innovation Scouting process over two months based on client input on technology area, product maturity, business model and strategic fit.
The project delivered assessment and analysis on several innovative product and service companies that would complement or develop the client’s existing offerings.
2012 | Northstream
Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Assessment: Northstream assists client to evaluate roll-out scenarios
An Asian fixed and mobile operator asked Northstream to analyse benefits and drawbacks of a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network compared to a continued upgrade of the legacy copper-based network to a Next Generation Network (NGN). Based on client input on existing technology, roadmaps on technology investments and end-user product offerings as well as organizational capabilities, Northstream performed a full review including a CAPEX and OPEX business case.
Northstream’s findings served as input to the client’s decision process of evaluating the choice of FTTH vs continued NGN roll-out. The report highlighted convergence issues, parameters influencing the choice, deployment strategies, organizational considerations as well as cases from other similar operators.
2012 | Northstream
Spectrum Strategy Review: Northstream developed spectrum and acquisition strategies for a fixed network operator to enter the mobile market
A fixed network operator was looking for avenues of growth in a saturated market and asked Northstream to asses the possibility of adding a mobile offering. In anticipation of an upcoming spectrum auction, Northstream spectrum strategy experts analysed the mobile market to identify opportunities for a new entrant. Strategies to address those opportunities were developed into business cases and modelled quantitatively. Combinations of spectrum, network design, target market and acquisitions were considered. Based on the outcomes of the business cases, Northstream evaluated the options for their commercial and financial merit and recommended a go to market strategy. Material was developed to support the client with stakeholders interactions such as corporate board, regulators and competing mobile network operators.
2012 | Northstream
Communications Framework: Northstream develops telecom industry themes to align the internal, sales, and investor communications at a network systems vendor
A network system vendor was having trouble relating the value of their products to the concerns of potential fixed and mobile network operator customers. They needed to know what these communication service providers considered the long term drivers of growth in their businesses. Northstream experts analysed broad industry trends to find universal themes that resonated with a wide range of CSPs. The themes were developed into building blocks, to be used to relate the clients portfolio of services with the current and future growth strategies of CSPs. Northstream then advised the client on how their key marketing messages could be structured around these building blocks to ensure consistently aligned communications internally, in the sales process and in investor relations.
2012 | Northstream
Service Assurance Evaluation: Northstream searches for and evaluates potential partners for a component of the client’s OSS portfolio
A network equipment vendor felt that a partnership or acquisition was required to overcome technical and time to market limitations of their product. They asked Northstream to help them find a suitable candidate.
The client and a team of OSS experts from Northstream developed technical requirements for a candidate solution and commercial requirements for the corresponding candidate partner. The Northstream team collected a broad industry roundup and filtered the solutions / companies using those criteria. Once a short list of candidates was selected, interviews and demonstration sessions were organized and the candidates were further evaluated. Northstream presented the accumulated information and made a recommendation on how to proceed.
2012 | Northstream
Technology Migration: In the context of a growing migration to LTE, Northstream modelled the projected capacity requirements on the legacy networks
Northstream was approached by a client to model the effect that the migration to LTE will have on the legacy networks in terms of capacity requirements. The outcome of the model would then assist the client with their strategic plans.
Northstream’s methodology combined qualitative and quantitative approaches to generate the model. As a result, the client was provided with a set of key drivers that will affect the migration to LTE and how these will influence a timeline projection of the expected capacity demand on the legacy networks.
2012 | Northstream
Healthcare communication strategy: Northstream assists an enterprise solution vendor in outlining wireless technology roadmap (Q479)
The objective was to provide external views and recommendations regarding client’s wireless technology strategy. Northstream provided independent analysis, external information, and recommendations as input to the client’s wireless healthcare products and solutions strategy, ensuring that the views from e.g. competitors, network operators and end customers are taken into consideration in the context of the overall telecom market evolution. Northstream developed recommendations regarding opportunities/risks and potential go-to-market considerations for wireless technology choices.
2012 | Northstream
LTE for Public safety: Northstream provides a market analysis of LTE for the Public safety in Europe (Q482)
A client asked for support to to gain further understanding of the European Public Safety communication market. Northstream performed a eco-system analysis of the Public Safety communication vertical in Europe and developed scenarios of how meet Public Safety communication demand with LTE. The research covered aspects such as stakeholder analysis, end user requirement of voice and data services, regulation & spectrum and delivery & business models.
2012 | Northstream
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