Author: Mira Abdulrahman

Why Service Providers Should Go Vendor-Agnostic?

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

Being a vendor-agnostic managed services provider (MSP) offers several strategic advantages, particularly in today’s diverse and rapidly changing technology landscape. Here are some key benefits:

1. Flexibility and Customization for Clients

  • Tailored Solutions: Vendor-agnostic MSPs aren’t bound to specific hardware or software brands, allowing them to provide tailored solutions that best meet each client’s unique needs.
  • Seamless Integration: This approach allows MSPs to integrate diverse technologies, which is especially beneficial for clients with existing systems from various vendors. It ensures compatibility across different platforms and systems.

2. Improved Trust and Objectivity

  • Unbiased Recommendations: Without vendor affiliations, MSPs can provide impartial advice focused solely on the client’s business goals rather than pushing products from specific vendors.
  • Enhanced Credibility: Clients often see vendor-agnostic MSPs as more credible partners, as they know recommendations are based purely on quality and suitability, not vendor relationships.

3. Access to Best-of-Breed Technology

  • Greater Variety of Options: Vendor-agnostic MSPs have access to a broad spectrum of technologies, enabling them to choose the best-in-class products for any given solution.
  • Rapid Adaptation to Industry Trends: They can quickly adopt new and emerging technologies, providing clients with up-to-date solutions without being locked into a single vendor’s product lifecycle.

4. Reduced Vendor Lock-In Risks

  • Enhanced Flexibility for Clients: By working with a vendor-agnostic MSP, clients avoid becoming dependent on a single vendor, which reduces risks associated with vendor-specific limitations, such as pricing changes or service discontinuation.
  • Easier Transition and Upgrades: Clients can transition to new technology or upgrade their systems without having to overhaul their entire infrastructure, preserving both continuity and cost efficiency.

5. Broader Industry Knowledge and Expertise

  • Cross-Vendor Knowledge: A vendor-agnostic MSP is typically skilled in managing and troubleshooting a wide range of technologies, offering clients a broader knowledge base and deeper expertise.
  • Continuous Skill Development: MSPs that work with multiple vendors stay current across different technologies, tools, and standards, ensuring that they bring industry-wide best practices to each engagement.

6. Enhanced Scalability and Future-Proofing

  • Adaptable Scaling Options: Vendor-agnostic MSPs can scale services up or down, choosing the most effective tools and vendors for each stage of growth, enabling clients to expand or streamline without limits.
  • Future-Proof Solutions: Without a commitment to specific vendors, MSPs can more readily integrate cutting-edge technologies as they emerge, helping clients future-proof their operations and remain competitive.

7. Cost Savings for Clients

  • Optimized Pricing Structures: Vendor-agnostic MSPs can select the most cost-effective solutions for each situation, maximizing value without unnecessary expenses tied to specific vendor pricing models.
  • Elimination of Unnecessary Licensing Fees: By evaluating multiple vendor options, they can choose solutions that reduce or eliminate redundant licensing costs, allowing clients to optimize their budgets.

8. Enhanced Service Continuity and Reliability

  • Improved Vendor Alternatives: In case of vendor issues or service interruptions, vendor-agnostic MSPs can provide alternative solutions more easily, maintaining continuity without significant disruption.
  • Better Risk Mitigation: By using multiple vendor solutions, MSPs can create redundancies and implement failover options, reducing the impact of any single vendor failure.

Summary

A vendor-agnostic MSP can offer unbiased, flexible, and future-proof solutions, giving clients greater control over their technology stack while maximizing cost-efficiency and operational resilience. This approach builds trust, meets diverse client needs, and provides a competitive edge by adapting to market changes and emerging technology with agility.

Author: Ahmed Zein, Digis Squared’s COO, and expert in Managed Services excellence and Operations.

Cross-Sector Detection

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

In today’s fast-paced telecom industry, delivering optimal network performance is essential to ensuring seamless user experiences. One significant challenge operators face is cross-sector and other issues that are affecting the overall performance of the network these issues may be related to Antenna configurations, this type of issues includes but is not limited to, wrong or shifted azimuths and other wrong configurations, or maybe hardware problems that cause down sectors. At Digis Squared, we’ve taken a bold step forward by developing an advanced AI-based algorithm that detects these kinds of issues using data gathered from drive tests in no time compared with the traditional ways. This cutting-edge solution promises to significantly reduce the time it takes to improve network performance and streamline operational costs.

Understanding Cross-Sector Problem

The cross-sector problem occurs when a mobile device connects to a sector of a cell tower that is not intended to serve its location. This typically happens due to antenna misalignment, hardware problem, or wrong configuration. As a result, the device experiences degraded performance such as signal interference, increased latency, or reduced data throughput. Additionally, the network resources of the unintended sector may be strained, impacting overall efficiency. Resolving this issue is essential for improving coverage availability and enhancing user experience in mobile networks.

Why do we need such an algorithm?

The detection of cross-sector and other problems currently requires a lot of resources (time, skilled engineers, and for sure that costs a lot of money), it may take multiple hours or days for a team to be able to investigate a drive test from one cluster, and this time is proportional to the size and complexity of the network and the surrounding environment.

In addition to that, operators are trying to solve these issues as fast as possible because by solving such issues the operators can ensure solving their consequences like:

  • Network Congestion: Too many users connected to a single sector can cause overloading, reducing data speeds and overall network performance.
  • Interference: Cross-sector interference happens when neighboring sectors overlap in coverage, causing signal degradation.
  • Inefficient Resource Use: If users are connected to a less optimal sector, network resources such as bandwidth and power are not used efficiently.

Our tool aims to ensure fast and accurate detection and reporting of cross-sector and other issues to accelerate solving related network problems to enable the users to receive the best quality of service and use the network resources.

The solution:

At Digis Squared, we have developed a novel AI-based algorithm specifically designed to detect issues that we have mentioned earlier by analyzing data collected from drive tests. This algorithm leverages AI, advanced signal processing techniques, and fast processing and analytics to automatically identify when a device is connected to a suboptimal sector.

in less than a few minutes, you can have an accurate and comprehensive report about the cross-sector and other issues found in the network.

Benefits for Telecom Operators

  • Improved Network Performance: By accurately detecting and resolving these issues, operators can enhance network efficiency and provide a better user experience by minimizing interference and improving data throughput.
  • Cost Efficiency: Automating the detection of cross-sector and other problems reduces the need for manual analysis and network intervention, which can significantly lower operational expenses (OPEX).
  • Faster Optimization: With the ability to process data and generate insights with that speed, operators can implement network changes more rapidly, ensuring that the network performs optimally at all times.

Conclusion

At Digis Squared, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of network optimization technology. Our algorithm for antenna issues detection represents a major leap forward in network management, offering telecom operators a more efficient, automated, and accurate method for resolving issues and ensuring a better user experience. By harnessing AI, and multi-metric analysis, we are enabling smarter, more resilient networks that are ready to meet the demands of the future.

Stay tuned for more updates on how this algorithm is transforming networks around the globe.

INOS VMOS Assessment Tool: Redefining Video Quality Assessment for OTT Video

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

The INOS Video Mean Opinion Score (VMOS) Assessment Tool represents a groundbreaking advancement in evaluating both User Quality-of-Experience (QoE) and Network Quality of Service (QoS) for adaptive video streaming on Facebook. By seamlessly merging these critical aspects, the tool delivers unparalleled benchmarking and optimization capabilities. Built upon an innovative architecture, it integrates high-performance analysis with a user-centric design, ensuring top-notch video quality evaluation across various platforms. Specifically designed for mobile phone testing, the VMOS Assessment Tool integrates seamlessly from the client side, making it ideal for efficient evaluation of mobile video performance.

Features:

Real-Time Analysis at Unprecedented Speed: Experience instantaneous, precise assessments with our tool’s advanced algorithms, ensuring rapid feedback and swift resolution of performance issues.

Enhanced QoE with ITU-T P.1204.3 Compliance: Aligned with the latest ITU-T P.1204.3 standards, the VMOS Assessment Tool offers refined evaluations that adhere to the most current benchmarks for perceptual video quality.

High-Quality Database Integration: Support for up to 8K resolution and 60 frames per second ensures comprehensive analysis of high-definition video content, enabling optimal performance and clarity.

Network QoS Optimization: Improve video playback with our tool’s focus on optimizing start-delay and buffering frequency, leading to smoother viewing experiences.

Integrated QoE and QoS Evaluation: The VMOS Assessment Tool seamlessly combines QoE and QoS metrics, providing a holistic analysis that ensures both user experience and network performance are optimized for superior video quality.

Flexible Device Compatibility and Viewing Distance: The VMOS Assessment Tool is designed to adapt to different streaming device dimensions, including PC, laptop, and mobile phone, and various viewing distances, ensuring optimal video quality regardless of the device or viewing conditions.

Seamless Platform Integration: Designed for effortless compatibility, the VMOS Assessment Tool integrates smoothly with existing video platforms, ensuring a hassle-free transition and minimal operational disruption.

Zero Client-Side Integration Required: The VMOS Assessment Tool manages the entire process, from video playback and network statistics recording to the final MOS score assessment, eliminating the need for any client-side integration.

Architecture Overview:

The INOS VMOS Assessment Tool encompasses multiple stages. Initially, it interacts with the video platform to obtain various encoded files, which are transmitted to the user network based on bandwidth availability. Subsequently, in the packet capturing phase, network packets are recorded into a PCAP file, along with the corresponding SSL decryption log key. During the packets processing phase, network packets are filtered to isolate only those related to video playback and player events. The final stage involves predicting the VMOS score by integrating video playback quality fluctuations, which reflect user QoS, with player events, which indicate network QoS.

INOS Facebook VQA Output Sample:

These output samples are derived from our Facebook quality testing on a mobile network operator in the United Kingdom. The results display a range of evaluation metrics utilized for the final VMOS assessment. Each performance metric is accompanied by geospatial testing locations on the map, time-domain values, and histogram values. The performance metrics will be discussed in the following points:

  1. Facebook Streaming Success:

This metric measures the success rate of logging into Facebook and streaming the video.

  • Facebook Streaming Start Delay:

This metric measures the time interval between the initiation of video loading and the commencement of video playback.

  • Facebook Streaming Buffer VMOS: 

This metric assesses the Network QoS VMOS, estimated from platform player events such as start delay, rebuffering event frequency, and rebuffering event duration relative to the original video duration.

  • Facebook Streaming Resolution per Second: 

This metric indicates the video playback resolutions per second, highlighting that Facebook frequently reduces the resolution to 540 pixels for mobile users.

This metric reflects the quality VMOS of video playback per second as a result of video quality fluctuations.

  • Facebook Streaming Quality VMOS:

This metric assesses the User QoE VMOS, indicating the Quality VMOS for the entire playback sequence, calculated from the Quality VMOS per second.

  • Facebook Streaming Final VMOS:

This metric represents the final VMOS score by merging both Network QoS and User QoE into a single score that encapsulates the overall experience.

INOS Tool Summary:

  • The INOS VMOS Assessment Tool is a Comprehensive Video Quality Evaluation tool for adaptive video streaming on Facebook, ensuring optimized user experience and network performance.
  • The Tool Features Innovative System Architecture by processing stages from obtaining encoded files, capturing and filtering network packets, to predicting the VMOS score.
  • The Tool Offers Advanced Real-Time Analysis with instantaneous, precise assessments and support for high-definition video content up to 8K resolution and 60 frames per second.
  • The Tool Provides Seamless Client-Side Integration for Mobile Testing, requiring no client-side integration and adapting to various device dimensions and viewing distances for efficient evaluation of mobile video performance.
  • The Tool Produces Detailed Output Samples for Comprehensive Evaluation.
  • The Tool Ensures Compatibility with Other Video Platforms, including YouTube, Shahid, TikTok, and Instagram.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Obeidallah Ali, our R&D Director at Digis Squared, for his invaluable contribution to this white paper. His expertise and insights have been instrumental in shaping this content and ensuring its relevance!

Is the Customer Always Right?

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

Understanding the Dynamics Between System Integrators, Vendors, and Customers

The age-old adage, “The customer is always right,” has been a guiding principle in the world of business for decades. However, when it comes to the complex realm of system integration and vendor interactions, this notion may not always hold true. In this article, we delve into the delicate balance of power and decision-making between system integrators, vendors, and customers, and explore when it may be necessary to say no to a customer’s requests.

The Customer’s Perspective

Customers play a vital role in the success of any business endeavor. Their needs, requirements, and feedback shape the products and services offered by vendors and system integrators. Customers often come with specific expectations and demands, driven by their unique goals and priorities. The customer-centric approach emphasizes the importance of listening to the customer, understanding their requirements, and delivering solutions that meet or exceed their expectations.

The Role of System Integrators and Vendors

System integrators and vendors serve as the bridge between customers and technology solutions. They possess specialized knowledge, expertise, and resources to design, implement, and support complex systems and solutions. While their primary goal is to satisfy customer needs, system integrators and vendors also have a responsibility to deliver high-quality, reliable products and services that align with industry standards and best practices.

Saying No: When Should System Integrators and Vendors Push Back?

Despite the emphasis on customer satisfaction, there are instances where it may be necessary for system integrators and vendors to say no to a customer’s requests. Some common scenarios include:

  • 1. Technical Feasibility: If a customer requests a solution that is technically infeasible or goes against industry standards, system integrators and vendors may need to push back and propose alternative approaches.
  • 2. Scope Creep: Customers may often expand the scope of a project without considering the potential impact on timelines, resources, and budgets. In such cases, system integrators and vendors may need to set clear boundaries and manage customer expectations.
  • 3. Security and Compliance: In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity and data privacy are top priorities. If a customer’s request poses security risks or non-compliance with regulations, system integrators, and vendors must prioritize safeguarding sensitive information.
  • 4. Resource Constraints: Customers may demand quick turnaround times or customized solutions that strain resources and impact the quality of deliverables. System integrators and vendors may need to communicate effectively with customers to manage expectations and maintain service standards.

Resolving the Dilemma: Strategies for Effective Communication and Collaboration

To navigate the challenges of balancing customer demands with technical limitations and industry standards, system integrators and vendors can adopt the following strategies:

  • 1. Open Communication: Establishing clear channels of communication with customers is crucial. System integrators and vendors should actively listen to customer requirements, provide transparent feedback, and collaborate on finding mutually beneficial solutions.
  • 2. Educating Customers: System integrators and vendors can educate customers on best practices, emerging technologies, and industry trends. By sharing expertise and insights, customers can make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals.
  • 3. Setting Expectations: From the inception of a project, setting clear expectations regarding timelines, deliverables, and potential challenges is essential. System integrators and vendors should communicate proactively to avoid misunderstandings and scope creep.
  • 4. Collaborative Problem-Solving: When faced with conflicting priorities or technical constraints, system integrators, vendors, and customers can engage in collaborative problem-solving. By brainstorming alternatives and exploring different approaches, a consensus can be reached that satisfies all stakeholders.

In Conclusion

While the customer’s needs and preferences are paramount in the world of system integration and vendor relationships, there are situations where saying no is necessary to uphold standards, ensure security, and deliver value. By fostering open communication, educating customers, setting clear expectations, and engaging in collaborative problem-solving, system integrators and vendors can navigate this delicate balance effectively. Ultimately, the key lies in fostering a relationship built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to success.

The Role of Cloud Hyperscalers in the Telecom Industry: Balancing Opportunities and Challenges

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

Cloud hyperscalers, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), have revolutionized various industries, including telecommunications. Their entry into the telecom sector has introduced a wave of innovation, efficiency, and scalability, but it has also brought challenges. This article explores the positive and negative impacts of cloud hyperscalers on the telecom industry.

Positive Impacts

1. Enhanced Scalability and Flexibility

Cloud hyperscalers offer telecom companies unparalleled scalability and flexibility. Traditional telecom infrastructure often involves significant capital expenditure and time-consuming upgrades. Hyperscalers provide on-demand resources that can be scaled up or down based on traffic and user demand, allowing telecom operators to manage their resources more efficiently and cost-effectively.

2. Accelerated Innovation

Hyperscalers have accelerated innovation within the telecom industry. With access to advanced cloud services such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics, telecom operators can develop new services and applications rapidly. These technologies enable more efficient network management, improved customer experiences, and the creation of new revenue streams through innovative offerings like smart cities and IoT services.

3. Cost Efficiency

One of the most significant benefits is the reduction in operational costs. By leveraging the economies of scale provided by hyperscalers, telecom companies can reduce the cost of maintaining and upgrading their own data centers. This shift from CapEx to OpEx allows for more predictable budgeting and financial planning.

4. Enhanced Security and Compliance

Leading cloud hyperscalers invest heavily in security and compliance, often exceeding what individual telecom operators can achieve. This investment translates into robust security measures, regular updates, and compliance with global standards, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of telecom networks and protecting sensitive customer data.

5. Global Reach and Reliability

Hyperscalers offer a global infrastructure that ensures high availability and reliability. Telecom operators can leverage this global network to offer consistent and high-quality services to customers, irrespective of their geographical location. This capability is particularly beneficial for multinational telecom companies seeking to provide seamless cross-border services.

Negative Impacts

1. Dependency and Loss of Control

One of the major downsides is the dependency on third-party providers. Relying on hyperscalers means telecom operators may lose some control over their infrastructure and data. Any service disruption or policy change by the hyperscaler can directly impact the telecom company’s operations and customer service.

2. Increased Competition

Cloud hyperscalers have started to offer their own telecom services, such as communication platforms and networking solutions. This move has introduced a new level of competition for traditional telecom operators, who now have to compete not only with other telecom companies but also with these tech giants.

3. Regulatory and Compliance Challenges

Operating in highly regulated environments, telecom companies must ensure that their use of cloud services complies with local regulations. Data sovereignty and compliance can become complex when using global cloud providers, requiring careful navigation of regulatory landscapes to avoid legal pitfalls.

4. Job Displacement

The shift towards automation and cloud-based services can lead to job displacement within the telecom industry. As more processes become automated and managed through cloud services, the need for traditional telecom roles may decrease, potentially leading to workforce reductions and the need for reskilling.

5. Security Concerns

While hyperscalers invest heavily in security, the centralization of data and services in the cloud can present attractive targets for cyber-attacks. Any security breach at a hyperscaler can have widespread implications, affecting multiple telecom operators and their customers.

Conclusion

Cloud hyperscalers have undoubtedly transformed the telecom industry, offering significant benefits in terms of scalability, innovation, and cost efficiency. However, these advantages come with challenges, including dependency, increased competition, regulatory hurdles, job displacement, and security concerns. As the telecom industry continues to evolve, operators must strategically navigate these impacts, balancing the opportunities provided by hyperscalers with the need to maintain control, ensure compliance, and protect their workforce.

The Benefits of Automation in Telecom Managed Services

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and increasing demands for seamless connectivity, the telecom industry stands at the forefront of innovation. Telecom Managed Services, which involve outsourcing the management of a company’s telecommunications infrastructure, have become a cornerstone for businesses seeking to optimize operations and enhance customer experiences. Within this landscape, automation emerges as a powerful tool, offering a myriad of benefits that are reshaping the future of managed services in telecom.

1. Enhanced Efficiency: Automation streamlines repetitive tasks and processes, reducing manual intervention and the likelihood of errors. By automating routine maintenance, provisioning, and troubleshooting activities, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can allocate resources more efficiently, allowing their teams to focus on higher-value tasks such as strategy development and innovation.

2. Cost Reduction: Automation helps minimize operational costs by decreasing the need for human intervention and accelerating time-to-resolution for issues. This translates into lower labor expenses, reduced downtime, and improved resource utilization, ultimately delivering cost savings for both MSPs and their clients.

3. Scalability and Flexibility: With automation, telecom managed services can scale rapidly to meet evolving business needs. Whether it’s provisioning additional network capacity or deploying new services, automated systems can adapt quickly to fluctuations in demand, providing the flexibility required to support growth and innovation.

4. Enhanced Reliability: Automated systems are designed to execute tasks consistently and accurately, minimizing the risk of human error. By implementing proactive monitoring and self-healing mechanisms, MSPs can ensure higher levels of network availability and reliability, thereby enhancing the overall quality of service for their clients.

5. Improved Customer Experience: Automation enables MSPs to deliver faster response times and proactive support, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction. By leveraging intelligent automation tools, MSPs can anticipate customer needs, personalize interactions, and deliver tailored solutions that drive loyalty and retention.

The Case for Open RAN and Open Networks

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

Advocates of Open RAN (Radio Access Networks) and open networks champion their potential to revolutionize the telecommunications industry by promoting flexibility, innovation, and cost-effectiveness.

Open RAN refers to a disaggregated approach to building wireless networks, using open and interoperable interfaces. This model allows operators to mix and match components from different vendors rather than being locked into a single supplier, fostering a competitive ecosystem.

Proponents argue that this could lead to significant cost reductions, especially in deploying 5G networks, as it drives down hardware costs and encourages innovation through increased competition. Additionally, open networks enable greater adaptability, allowing network operators to quickly implement new technologies and services, which is crucial in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Moreover, open networks are seen as a critical step toward enhancing network security and resilience. By diversifying the supplier base, operators can reduce dependency on any single vendor, mitigating risks associated with vendor-specific vulnerabilities and supply chain disruptions. The interoperability inherent in open RAN can also facilitate more robust security practices, as operators can integrate best-of-breed security solutions from various vendors.

This flexibility is particularly important given the rising concerns over cyber threats and the geopolitical complexities affecting the telecom supply chain. Consequently, many industry experts and regulators view open RAN and open networks as a pathway to not only technological advancement but also national security and economic resilience.

**The Legacy of Proprietary Telecom Networks**

On the other hand, supporters of legacy proprietary telecom networks argue that these systems offer unmatched reliability, performance, and security that have been refined over decades. Traditional telecom networks, built on established partnerships with trusted vendors, provide end-to-end solutions with tightly integrated hardware and software, ensuring optimal performance and stability. This integration is particularly vital for critical communications infrastructure, where any downtime or performance issues can have significant repercussions. Legacy systems also benefit from rigorous testing and certification processes, which help to maintain high standards of quality and reliability that are crucial for maintaining consumer trust and ensuring uninterrupted service.

Furthermore, critics of open RAN and open networks caution against the potential downsides of moving away from established proprietary systems. The complexity of managing and integrating multiple vendors’ components could lead to interoperability challenges and increased operational overhead. There is also the risk that the rapid pace of innovation in an open ecosystem could outstrip the ability of operators to thoroughly vet and secure new technologies, potentially introducing vulnerabilities. Additionally, the transition to open RAN may require substantial upfront investments in new infrastructure and training, posing significant barriers for smaller operators and developing regions. As such, proponents of legacy networks argue that the proven track record of proprietary systems offers a safer and more reliable path forward, particularly in contexts where stability and security are paramount.

The Future of Automation in Telecom Managed Services

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

As technology continues to evolve, the role of automation in telecom managed services will only become more pronounced. Here are some key trends shaping the future of automation in this space:

1. AI and Machine Learning Integration: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies will enable MSPs to build intelligent automation systems capable of self-learning and adaptive decision-making. This will empower MSPs to anticipate and address issues before they impact services, leading to even greater levels of efficiency and reliability.

2. Network Orchestration and SDN/NFV: Software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) are transforming the way telecom networks are deployed and managed. Automation will play a crucial role in orchestrating complex network functions, optimizing resource allocation, and enabling dynamic service provisioning across virtualized environments.

3. Edge Computing and IoT: The proliferation of edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT) devices is creating new challenges and opportunities for telecom managed services. Automation will be essential for managing the complexity of distributed edge environments, ensuring seamless connectivity, and delivering real-time insights from IoT data streams.

4. Cybersecurity Automation: With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and pervasive, automation will play a vital role in enhancing cybersecurity posture for telecom networks. Automated threat detection, incident response, and remediation capabilities will help MSPs stay ahead of emerging threats and safeguard critical infrastructure.

5. Autonomous Operations: Looking further ahead, the concept of autonomous operations, where networks and services are self-managed and self-optimized, holds great promise for the telecom industry. Through advanced automation and AI-driven analytics, MSPs will be able to achieve unprecedented levels of autonomy, enabling them to deliver highly resilient and adaptive managed services.

In conclusion, automation is revolutionizing the way telecom managed services are delivered, offering a myriad of benefits including enhanced efficiency, cost reduction, scalability, and improved customer experiences. As we look to the future, automation will continue to play a central role in driving innovation, agility, and competitiveness in the telecom industry, paving the way for a new era of intelligent and autonomous managed services.

As a renowned provider of End-to-End Managed Services across Africa, the Gulf Region, and North Africa, Digis Squared caters to various telecom domains, including Field Maintenance, RF Operations, NOC & SOC Services, and VAS & BSS DevOps. Leveraging its suite of Cognitive Operations tools, such as Katana, Digis Squared aims to achieve automation and consistently improve its SLAs to meet the diverse demands and requirements of its customers across different regions.

PS Core Configuration Audit Use Case: 4G Quality of Service (QoS) Scheme

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

Problem

  • Referring to QCI counters and captured traces, all subscribers have QCI 7, which is NOT designed for normal data traffic and TCP-based applications, due to its nature specifications and high bit error rate.
  • The QCI values 1–4 are allocated for traffic that requires dedicated resource allocation for a GBR, while values 5–9 are not associated with GBR requirements.

Actions

  • Reviewing all QCI-8 RF parameters on 4G Cells.
  • A New Profile has been created on HSS with QCI=8 and assigned to test SIMs on it for testing and evaluation
  • AFC SL management staff SIMs were provisioned with QCI-8 for evaluation

Results

  • The recommended action was implemented for test SIMs. Core traces has been validated that the
  • subscriber’s actual QCI is QCI 8 (from MME Attach Accept Message sent to UE)
Before
After

Drive test was conducted before and after the change on two different sites to benchmark trial in terms of the LTE downlink throughput which had around 10% increase after the trial for the test SIMs.

Event Assurance Use Case

Posted on by Mira Abdulrahman

As a part of preparation activities for event assurance in a touristic region with extremely high demand and annual traffic growth, band strategy was reviewed to address the best allocation for each technology to achieve the best out of the existing band. Following this review, it was recommended to have new spectrum strategy

Pre-launching Activities

  1. Capacity assessment and utilization studies
  2. Hardware readiness study for 2nd U900 carrier addition
  3. Re-farming for 5MHz of the GSM900 band
  4. 2nd U900 cells activation

Post-launching Activities

  • Benchmark drive tests
    • 3G/4G camping and mobility strategy adjustment including interoperability settings

Results

  • Most of KPIs enhanced across all technologies 2G/3G/4G, especially 3G/4G throughput