The Role of Data and AI in Telecoms
You might have the systems needed to keep networks up and running, the customer experience organised, and critical infrastructure maintained. But disconnected systems are prone to risk, a catalyst for data fragmentation and inefficiencies.
As data consultants, we use our data platform architecture expertise to join up the dots and make your systems work in harmony. Modern telecoms need contemporary systems to match, and we’re here to make the migration from legacy infrastructure to the cloud seamless and successful.
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AI for Telcos: Dark Operating Centres
As modern telecoms networks scale, dark ops centres are on the rise. Market leaders recognise the opportunities in moving from expensive, human-centric operational models to efficient and highly resilient ones, driven by machine learning. Wherever you are on the journey to dark ops centres, our data analysts and consultants can help with:
- Strategic planning
- Designing new automation rules
- Complex vendor negotiations
- Predictive AI to foresee and prevent incidents before they impact customers
Breaking Down Silos Between Teams for a Fibre Customer
“The integration of fibre availability data has completely changed the way we approach network planning and sales.”
“The solution has streamlined our processes, reduced our reliance on leased fibre, and helped us proactively target customers in high-demand areas. It has not only improved our operational efficiency but also positioned us to grow our business in a more cost-effective and strategic manner.”
Digital Enablement Manager, Large UK Telecoms Organisation
Standardising Data for the TM Forum
Bringing together over 800 global organisations, the TM Forum aims to make sure all the pieces of the digital puzzle fit together across the industry. For telcos to thrive and get the most from TM Forum’s standardised models, it’s critical that data is accurate, valid, consistent, and centralised.
We’re here to recommend the data management practices you should be following to ensure data fits the TM Forum’s frameworks. That’s from the SID (shared information/data) model and eTOM framework to Open APIs and compliance requirements.
Our Data & AI Services for Telecoms & Media
With specialist data and AI consultancy from Oakland, you’ll master your enterprise data assets to have the best understanding of network performance – and drive cost-efficient solutions in no time.
Lean Data Management
We’ll turn network, billing, and customer data from a liability to a key asset via effective data management. Name the solution, we’ll develop it. Here are a few to get you started:
- Enterprise data architecture to connect systems, reduce fragmentation, and increase operational effectiveness
- Real-time data management that predicts network congestion or asset failure before it impacts services
- Unification of data from billing, customer service, and usage to provide proactive customer support to reduce churn
- Automation of manual data handling processes to reduce OpEx and drive resilience
Automated Asset Management
Network infrastructure is your single largest CapEx. Make sure it’s strategically spent to maximise ROI with data- and AI-powered asset management.
Oakland’s analysts will help you understand performance metrics and failure rates, so you can shift from a reactive to predictive maintenance model.
- Schedule upgrades and downtime
- Minimise the impact on customers
- Extend the lifespan of assets
Data Analytics & Insights for Intelligent Network Planning
Turn mast placement from a geographic necessity into a strategic decision informed by customer experience, demand, and coverage gaps. We’ll design the predictive models you need to accurately forecast demand and model infrastructure investments to increase coverage scores and customer satisfaction.
Data Analytics & Insight
Data Governance Fit for Enterprise Sales
With the right data policies and processes, you’ll ensure your sales team has a single ‘golden’ record of accurate and compliant information to strengthen enterprise relationships. We support you with:
- Implementing data access policies and controls to mitigate legal and financial risks that could cause deals to break down
- Defining and enforcing data quality standards for all geographic and infrastructure data
- Powering the CPQ system with verified network inventory data
- Real-time, trustworthy quotes on complex services (like dedicated fibre or private 5G) that are driven by data
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Data and AI consultancy starts with a conversation. Call our friendly team on +(44) 113 234 1944 or complete the form below and we’ll be in touch soon.
Media & Telecoms FAQs
Why is data governance important in the telecoms sector?
Telcos handle vast amounts of sensitive data, from personal customer information to business data. This data needs protection from threats, including unauthorised access and data breaches, all while complying with various legal and regulatory requirements. For instance, GDPR in Europe.
With the right data governance people and processes in place, telcos can feel confident that data:
- Is accurate and consistent
- Has clear ownership and levels of access
- Complies with regulatory requirements
- Conforms to quality standards
- Is protected from risks and operational inefficiencies
Our guide, Data Governance for Humans, has everything you need to understand about data governance strategies, from what to consider when developing one to how to implement and consolidate it.
What role does data play in enhancing telecom services?
If you’re looking to improve the services you offer, data is your goldmine – and a telecoms consulting firm is the catalyst. When you understand how to manage, analyse, and optimise the vast amounts of data your telco generates, you’re primed to:
- Build predictive maintenance models to reduce network downtime
- Make smarter network planning and infrastructure decisions
- Provide customers with consistent and high-quality connectivity
For more information, please read our blog: How to get the most from data consulting. You can also contact our team to find out about the opportunities we can open up for your organisation. We’d love to hear from you!
How can telecom companies develop an effective data strategy?
The most effective data strategy will be one that accounts for every area of the organisation. Data strategies are only as effective as their implementation, so it’s important that the right telecoms or media consultancy is chosen – one that can deliver the project in a language your people understand.
Designing and developing data strategies that align with core business objectives (such as monetising 5G or reducing OpEx) is Oakland’s bread and butter. For over forty years, we’ve helped some of the UK’s most prominent media and telecom organisations to implement data strategies that deliver tangible impact and long-term resilience.
A successful strategy must focus on four core pillars:
- Establishing data trust and compliance through data governance
- Modernising data platforms for scale via data engineering
- Upskilling teams and improving data literacy with data training
- Identifying and understanding the highest-value use cases to promote monetisation and ROI
For details on developing a data strategy, please reach out to our team or read our guide: How to write your data strategy.
What are dark operating centres and why are they important for telecoms?
Dark operating centres are essential for managing the scale and complexity of 5G and ‘edge’ networks. They use AI, machine learning, and automation to handle the majority of critical network operations, from monitoring and fault diagnosis through to resolution.
Though they don’t always omit it completely, dark ops centres reduce the need for human intervention, leaving them to focus on more complex issues. As a result, overall network resilience is as robust as possible, despite a reduction in operational costs.
How does telecoms data analytics improve customer experience?
By consolidating data from every customer touchpoint (network usage, billing, support requests), telcos are able to get a single view of the customer. Centralised data is a treasure trove for analysis, allowing businesses to:
- More accurately predict churn: Data from support and network gaps helps customer service teams to identify the customers most likely to leave and intervene with proactive offers or incentives.
- Personalise contracts or offers: With actual network usage data, sales teams can give the customer highly relevant upsell or cross-sell promotions.
- Resolve issues faster: Real-time network performance data ensures issues are diagnosed and resolved before the customer spots them, improving satisfaction and loyalty.
What types of activities does Oakland’s consulting solutions support?
Leave the data and AI automation to us so you can concentrate on the complex stuff. Oakland offers support with media and telecoms activities including:
- Network Planning and Engineering
- Real-Time Threat Prediction
- Dark Operating Centres
- Fraud Management and Spoofing
- Contract Sales Analysis
- Billing Fraud
- Network Maintenance and Management
- GDPR and Privacy
- Cyber Security