A Few Highlights from the Next Generation Service Platforms Event
http://serviceplatformsevents.com June 10th and 11th 2014
Here are few highlights from the Next Generate Service Platform Event which took place in Berlin, 10-11th June 2014. Just after TADHack, www.tadhack.com.
Presentations Reviewed
• WebRTC Review by Dominique from W3C
• Adapting to Change by Mark from OpenCloud
• The Future of Voice by Dean Bubley
• Telco API Architects Anonymous by Andreas from Telefonica
• Review of Turkcell’s API progress by Turker
• Challenges in deploying VoLTE by Antonio from Telefonica
• Service Delivery by Antonio from Portugal Telecom
• OneAPI by Stefan (sorry to pick on you) from GSMA
• Telecom Italia’s NetAPI by Mario from Telecom Italia
2 © 2010 Alan Quayle Business and Service Development
Dominique highlights in important aspect of WebRTC to Telecoms. Because its in the browser its easier for developers to become aware of it than Telecom APIs which have very slowly (and in some cases negatively) entered general developer awareness. But as I saw in TADHack, once a
developer sees what is possible in adding communications into their apps, services and business processes with WebRTC; they then appreciate the ubiquitous access made possible of Telecom
APIs to any mobile device. What this means is WebRTC must be part of Telcos’ service innovation platform and plans.
WebRTC Working Group Participants
Alcatel-Lucent Apple AT&T Avaya Baidu
Bistri Cable Labs China Unicom Chinese Acad. Of Sciences
Cisco
ETRI Ericsson Genesys Google Hookflash
Huawei Microsoft Mirae Web Mitsubishi Mozilla
MStar NICTA Nokia Nuance Opera
Orange Qihoo 360 Plantronics Qihoo 360 Samsung
Telecom Italia Temasys
Tencent
Unify
Verisign
Voxeo Telcos are getting involved in WebRTC, but it needs to be the innovators, not the tired
old telco standards people. Looks at IMS, OneAPI, RCS, etc. The telco standards route has failed the industry – their approach has not adapted to the IT-centric world.
WebRTC Status
• Protocol: stable core, lots of optimizations still in flux
• Codecs: audio done, video tabled for now
• Camera access: mostly stable
• P2P Audio / Video: stabilizing
• P2P Data: stabilizing
• Identity management: stabilizing
• Upcoming: screen sharing, 3D camera, push WebRTC is not baked, and remains quite complex for many developers. This technology is a
long run disruptor, but telcos need to understand WebRTC within their own organization and not rely on their suppliers. As an example of vendor mis-information, several operators think
they need IMS BEFORE they can use WebRTC. This is incorrect, and demonstrates why operators can not rely on their IMS vendors for impartial strategic advice / guidance.
WebRTC Implementations
isWebRTCReadyYet.com
Even when all the boxes are green interoperability will remain an issue. In creating a HTML5 website you have to test in many browsers to ensure it works. The is going to be true for WebRTC
functionality as well, the web site that uses WebRTC in the browser will need to manage this.
Adapting To Change Accelerating the pace and overcoming the cost barrier.
Mark Windle, Head of Marketing
OpenCloud have maintained the same message for over a decade – telcos need a communications focused service innovation layer to manage the
complex mess across legacy and multiple IMS platforms.
The problem in telecoms
6 © Copyright OpenCloud Ltd 2014
“Rapid service innovation is the single most important driver for sustainable competitive
advantage in the mobile industry.
Traditional solutions are simply too rigid, slow and expensive.” slow expensive rigid
Rob Snijder CTO, Teleena Yet telcos continue to spend $Bs with their NEPS and expect small innovative
companies to provide their software, expertise and insights for free. To move faster telcos need to divert some of that cash and spend it with the innovators. Telcos continue to stifle innovation by wasting innovators time in meetings rather than
deployments.
Learning from beyond Telco
7 © Copyright OpenCloud Ltd 2014
Feed on change
Experiment with lots of ideas
Evolve quickly
The freedom to implement change how and when they like
Not dependent on others to make the change Systems designed to facilitate change
Reduce Cost
Save Time
We need to experiment more, at TADSummit (www.tadsummit.com) you’ll see 100s of service ideas that can be launched in weeks. We need to stop creating artificial network dependencies and JFDI on services – walk the talk of service innovation.
Typical Changes: Major European Operators
11 © Copyright OpenCloud Ltd 2014
Fixed-line Network Mobile All-IP
Domain(s)
Multiple service siloes in each domain
New networks (e.g. IMS) Legacy service platform life-cycle issues Ever-increasing list of service development CR’s Decreasing resources to implement change Diverging customer experience
e.g. IMS/LTE
Wi-Fi VoIP
WebRTC
Existing services missing from new networks
The network is not atomic, it’s a mess, and the organization supporting it can not look beyond managing the current mess to deal with service innovation. A layer it required to separate the problem and enable an organization with the people and processes to
innovate in services.
Converged Service Broker
Typical Changes: Major European Operators
12 © Copyright OpenCloud Ltd 2014
Fixed-line Network Mobile All-IP
Domain(s)
Enable existing services to operate across multiple access networks Re-use existing services for new networks
e.g. IMS/LTE
Wi-Fi VoIP
WebRTC
Open Application Server
OpenCloud uses a converged service broker to make this happen.
The Future of Voice Services Beyond the Phone Call Dean Bubley, Disruptive Analysis
IIR NextGen Service Platforms & WebRTC
Munich, June 2014
[email protected] @disruptivedean
Dean has a good review of this event here: http://disruptivewireless.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-old-world-telco-
mindset-lives-on.html
The big problem for the mobile industry…
Copyright Disruptive Analysis Ltd 2014 June 2014
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Voice telephonyVAS / digitalInternet/data accessSMS/MMS
$bn – Global Mobile Operator Revenue
? New/partner services?
Voice/video-based? Verticals?
Source: Disruptive Analysis
We all know this problem, yet I continue to see a lack of time and cash being sensibly invested in addressing this problem. Spend money on the innovators – spend your time on TADHack and
TADSummit which is focused on building the ecosystem. Pouring millions into strategic consultants and NEP innovation projects is simply pissing money and time away.
RCS/joyn isn’t going to rescue messaging either
Copyright Disruptive Analysis Ltd 2014 June 2014
Attribution (Creative Commons): https://www.flickr.com/photos/dhollister/2596483147 I had to include this slide J RCS is now an interop spec between telcos, rather than a real service. GSMA has failed on so many service initiatives I remain shocked action
has not been taken by the telcos that bank-roll it.
Net/Not neutrality won’t stop data flattening too
Copyright Disruptive Analysis Ltd 2014 June 2014
Data connectivity will soon saturate in developed markets Source: Disruptive Analysis Non-Neutral MBB Report
Dean’s analysis on non-neutral models for mobile broadband show that it’s a small revenue opportunity – and its not in sponsored data or taxing the OTTs – its in enterprise services (i.e. businesses running their business on mobile networks).
2 problems: competition & substitution
Copyright Disruptive Analysis Ltd 2014 June 2014
Price, functionality, integration, coolness etc –
but still a voice app
More effective ways to perform tasks than a phone
call or voice interaction
Voice will not disappear, but there are more effective ways than voice to achieve what we want, hence why voice minutes are in decline in some developed markets.
The vision: voice & video comms everywhere
Copyright Disruptive Analysis Ltd 2014 June 2014
The challenge is remaining relevant in this transition to communications being a part of many applications, services and business processes. We have to act together as an ecosystem to make this happen, and the GSMA is NOT the right route. They lack the freedom to act commercially
and the leadership team does not understand the emerging market: no WebRTC position, OneAPI mess, RCS mess, weak 2020 vision, same tired old roaming model on voice and data, etc..
DISCOVER, DISRUPT, DELIVER
Telco API ARCHITECTS ANONYMOUS
Dr. Andreas Boose CSD Architecture Telefónica Germany
Andreas gave a great presentation on the Telco AAA club ;)
DISCOVER, DISRUPT, DELIVER 9
LEARN & SHARE
This is critical, and through all the telecom events and organizations its simply not being done adequately. Some Telcos think IMS is required before they can use WebRTC. Some Telcos are
grossly misinformed on OneAPI. Many Telcos remain focused on spending vast sums on technology platforms without focused on the people, process and business. Build it and they will
come does not work – especially if you’re using OneAPI. And OneAPI for use internally is inadequate as well – see Telefonica, Portugal Telecom and Telecom Italia for proof.
DISCOVER, DISRUPT, DELIVER
Some examples:
14
Help Each Other LEARN SHARE
This is a key slide – we have to work together – in an open way that brings the all components of the ecosystem together. And thanks for recognizing TADS J
DISCOVER, DISRUPT, DELIVER 16
Take Home CHANGE
critical situation requires behavioural change
ADMIT – LEARN – SHARE – HELP – ENCOURAGE – CHANGE
applying these consequently gradual change may
pass a threshold to success
EXPOSE best features: Network, Bundling, Billing, Identity
ENCOURAGE Tech Knowhow JOIN FORCES where possible
situation
principles
hypothesis
what I
share
This is a great summary. We have to change people and processes, not just technology. Open, honest and ecosystem-wide (not just a few desk-jockeys and their favorite vendors). The focus must be on the business – the technology is the easy bit.
Türker Çelik Senior Business Systems Analyst
Turkcell are building a solid API business, its early days, but its in the right direction.
Pay per Use ~100 Enterprises ~17 Web Services
~5M transaction/month
Revenue Sharing ~ 200 Partners
~150 Web Services ~30M transaction/month
Developer Community
individual developers & start-ups
API Management System
TELCO CAPABILITIES
Nice quantification on where they are, its early days, but they have engaged partners AND enterprises which will be an important source of revenue growth.
Deployment of VoLTE on an IMS platform Next Generation Service Platforms 2014 Legacy networks evolution
[email protected] 10-11 June 2014, Munich, Germany
Good review of the challenges the network folks face, and why it makes adding service innovation to their plate a stretch too far.
As a consequence, many operators had to build several IMS/IP networks… Silos are back!
6
Silos never really left, but its true we have many more these days, see the earlier OpenCloud presentation.
VoLTE, with SR-VCC and assuring universal consistent service in CS and IP
Affects ALL the network nodes of an operator. The MOST complicated NT project ever at Telefónica Germany!
8
VoLTE is NOT easy, but to deliver the SAME voice experience as 2G, there really isn’t any choice. Unless we accept the voice experience can be in some scenarios inferior.
Yes…but
e.g. IMS core was there (o2 DSL voice), no new deployment for mVoLTE But, e.g. we had to add functionalities like IMS – AKA to support the more secure authentication mechanisms required by wireless VoLTE. e.g. 2: Interconnection IMS – CS was in place, re-use. BUT: now more scenarios and they need to be supported in one single IMS: Breakout to CS for voice •To o2 mobile network •To the rest of CS networks IMS to IMS interconnection •But not for all the services! Just for RCSe
10
Its not easy with all the silos – it requires much effort.
And how to re-use telephony services?…
Existing telephony services (DSL) can be re-used for VoLTE… but in VoLTE context they need to co-exist with CS world Call Waiting: UE or Network Service? CDIV “not logged in”: offer it? In GSMA IR92 not clear if it is part of the service set or not How many services are provisioned to the user: how can UE interrogate this via Ut? No clear guidance in GSMA. We had even to push for standardization
11 And even on the really basic stuff there are gaps.
15
We invest a lot to support this:
And we still invest a lot to keep this:
And we achieved exceptional networks and communications possibilities
But, then, what happens with this? Telefónica’s convergent IMS still has to evolve but it is in the right track! The core guys have enough on their plate, service innovation has to be a separate
group within a telco with a different group of suppliers. Else the business will always be compromised by the legacy business trying to maintain its revenues.
Portugal Telecom © 2014
This document is confidential and owned by Portugal Telecom. Unauthorized use or disclosure of the included information is strictly prohibited.
Service Delivery BrokerBusiness, Governance and SecurityArchitecture for Digital Services
António [email protected]
Antonio continues to show its IT technology NOT specialized Telecom tech that works. If you have a vendor talking SDP at you, its best to avoid them as they’re going to suck
you dry in professional services fees and non-delivery.
This document is confidential and owned by Portugal Telecom. Unauthorized use or disclosure of the included information is strictly prohibited.
Service-Orientation Is Not Optional
� Knowledge of the source code for each resource is necessary
� Forcing usage of specific programming languages
� Consumer applications are coupled with underlying technology
� Knowledge of underlying resources technology is not necessary
� Developers code in their most proficient language against standardized interfaces
� Most common infrastructure aspects are abstracted and standardized
Going from multiple point-to-point connections …to API management & mediation
Similar apps…
…requiring multiple connections to each resource
Similar app interfaces will be developed in specific languages…
…but standard resource interfaces are already available
IT Resources ContentNetwork
Resources
Enterprise Catalog of APIs
Service Delivery Broker
IT Resources ContentNetwork
Resources
Domain APIs
SOA patterns drastically reduced multi-platform apps development effort and complexity
PT have delivered a common services infrastructure across all networks and end-points. And its mostly self-built using off the shelf IT software, including open source
projects. Just like most web companies like Amazon and Google.
This document is confidential and owned by Portugal Telecom. Unauthorized use or disclosure of the included information is strictly prohibited.
• SDB Backoffice– > 700 services, > 4000 operations, > 7000 strategies– Average 23% increase YoY (over last 3 years)– > 350 active users
• SDB Runtime– > 40 million service requests per day– ~20 ms latency– ~13 TB XML/JSON data traffic per month
The Numbers (May 2014)
700 Services! With 23% growth YoY! Great example of the importance of taking control of your destiny.
This document is confidential and owned by Portugal Telecom. Unauthorized use or disclosure of the included information is strictly prohibited.
One Protocol, Multiple IdP Options
They use OAuth but allow multiple identity options – as its about meeting the customers’ needs not the telcos – that’s why telco ID management solutions can only
every be a compliment to existing solutions.
This document is confidential and owned by Portugal Telecom. Unauthorized use or disclosure of the included information is strictly prohibited.
• Collaborative API management, based on RBAC
• Gamification: service badges, level points, people’s reputation• Standard service certification processes would benefit everyone
IT Service Management for APIs
Service Operator
Service TransitionManager
Change Manager
Service Designer
Service Developer
ProjectManager
Concept Design Develop Deploy Operate Retire
PartnershipsManager
SecurityManager
QualityManager
EnterpriseArchitect
ProductManager
For internal service creation they have built a solid process – again following IT best practices.
This document is confidential and owned by Portugal Telecom. Unauthorized use or disclosure of the included information is strictly prohibited.
• Jeff Bezos Mandate: check!• APIs are needed for provisioning, but also for on-boarding, offers
configuration, selling, payments and revenue sharing.• Most effort must be done through self-service portals and apps.• Critical to sustain investment in innovation.
IT Processes Automation
PT remains for me one of the leading examples of a telco NOT wasting time and money on “smoke and mirrors” SDP projects, instead focusing on using off the shelf technology and processes to deliver a cost effective platform under their control that
delivers business results and keeps PT in control of its destiny.
This document is confidential and owned by Portugal Telecom. Unauthorized use or disclosure of the included information is strictly prohibited.
Service Management Interface
ApplicationUsers
Monitoring and Reporting
Content Service
(e.g. News)NetworkService
(e.g. Location)
Resource(e.g. Database)
Application or API
Management Interface (SMI)
FunctionalInterface
e.g. GetManagementReporte.g. GetNews or GetLocationByIPAddress
API Management is important but there are many solutions, including open source options, the investment needs to be in the services not the management.
This document is confidential and owned by Portugal Telecom. Unauthorized use or disclosure of the included information is strictly prohibited.
• Cloud Services have great business potential for Telcos– Can you forget about delivering Telco APIs for a minute?
– Can you forget about IaaS for a minute?
– Besides the network, what are your distinctive advantages?
– What about offering IT Service Management, Billing, Payments, IAM, API Management, Marketplaces, etc. all of those “As A Service”?
– You may offer customer facing services, but APIs are (still) required
• Service-Orientation design principles helps business agility• Multi-tenancy is required to sustain operational scalability• Identity provider abstraction for competitive white-labeled offers
• Enabling clear integration “recipes” and easy-to-follow processes for on-boarding partners and driving apps development efficiently reduces integration cost and maintenance effort
Beyond “Telco APIs”: Cloud Services
PT are now focused on a range of bundled cloud services, this is worth watching as many telcos have struggled to be successful is simply offering a me-too storage offer. PT is focused on a range of local bundled cloud services – it will be interesting to see what market share they win. Initial
performance of those offers appears quite positive.
© GSMA 2014
All GSMA meetings are conducted in full compliance with the GSMA’s anti-trust compliance policy
Closing Remarks Telco APIs and Cross Operator Reach Stefan Weil GSM Association [email protected] Skype: trwaweil
© GSMA 2014
All GSMA meetings are conducted in full compliance with the GSMA’s anti-trust compliance policy
So what do we have ? – Where do we go ? In Telco… the field is still wide open (below only some players are listed..)
And also: the issue is also not unique to Telcos… (also just mentioning some…) General API initiatives
Standardized Endpoints Aggregation Federation
Discovery:
Standardization
Individual Endpoints
Banking
Open Initiative
Corporate Initiatives
Transportation
The fact the GSMA continues to use the OneAPI logo, even after the standardization work has ceased, which means its no longer in active use – just look at constant innovation in the Twilio,
Nexmo and Tropo APIs. The GSMA is NOT the right institution or vehicle for Telecom API federation. Use multiple channels, e.g. Nexmo, Tropo, Twilio, AT&T, Telefonica, Amazon,
Pubnub, etc. and let the market decide, not some desk-jockeys in the GSMA.
GRUPPO TELECOM ITALIA
Telecom Italia’s Update on NetAPI Exposure
Next Generation Service Platforms, 10th June 2014
Mario Bonnet, Telecom Italia
Service Delivery Platform & Net API division - Head
Telecom Italia have a dedicated division to its APIs, headed by Mario.
Work in progress
NetAPI
�Different protocols
� From days to weeks
�Market/segment specific �Ad hoc, traditional process
Provisioning
Today
Offering
NetAPI
�Homogeneous, Web Oriented �More API available
Tomorrow
Provisioning
Offering
�Unified publishing & browsing catalog
�Multi-tenancy �Marketplace oriented
� «Self Service», «plug and play» where applicable
«Easy» API
Third Party Internal
Network & IT Enablers
NetAPI interface
The focus of TI’s NetAPI development is very similar to what Portugal Telecom has achieved.
Bridge over troubled water
19 Telecom Italia, T.TL.NMD.SD
� NetAPI Creation
� Network Abstraction
� Service Orchestration
� Service Execution
� BSS & OSS Integration
� NetAPI Exposure
Fully fledged SDP
- Network Platform will be natively more API-oriented - Need of industry specific service bundles, bundling Telco NetApi with
enterprise/industry APIs (e.g. M2M, M-payment) - Capex and Opex pressures: reduce TCO & complexity, explore
alternatives to traditional license based delivery models
Easy API Exposure � Thiner layer
� Focus on NetAPI lifecycle management
� Native support of multi-tenant environment
� Collaborative and easy NetAPI usage (self service model)
Though subtle the key messages are: its not an SDP, open source and revenue share are going to play a greater role, enterprise (see Turkcell slides) will play a greater role.