Interview with Willem Brinkert

 

What is the project about?

After the municipalities in the region of Braunau in Austria had been neglected by traditional incumbents, regioHelp/BG Communications was founded with the aim to serve the unserved and took it upon themselves to build full-cover FTTH, Open Access networks in and for the people in those municipalities.
regioHelp/BG Communications initially built a network for 900 subscribers in Munderfing. This inspired the neighboring municipalities, who saw its social impact and how it transformed Munderfing and motivated them to do the same.

regioHelp/BG Communications creates genuine partnerships with the municipalities in the region (who usually have no money or funding to invest in a fiber network), and everybody really wants to have the network deployed for the benefit of their communities.
While regioHelp/BG Communications brings planning, construction knowledge, and funding to the table, the municipalities collaborate by simplifying the permitting process. They also have existing contact channels with future customers/subscribers and are therefore responsible for the marketing of the network, trying to generate high take-up rates.

After a very successful pilot project in the first municipality, the second larger-scale project was initiated and is currently under construction. More than 40 municipalities joined in, leading to scale it internationally in Germany and Switzerland. With close to 1 million homes, with an average take-up rate of 65-75%, the value for the communities is clearly visible – everyone can be connected, and no one is left behind!

What is innovative about your project and how have you served your customers?

The effortlessness in reaching goals and pursuing projects shows that regioHelp/BG Communications is on the right track to bringing quality of life to rural areas in terms of telecommunications and connecting people.

We provide a full-cover network serving all of the people living in the region of Braunau. Not only is the network being built but it will eventually be handed over to the public to support the communities. While it’s still being developed, financed, and operated, the network already provides funding for the Red Cross and fire departments in the region: They receive 50 cents per active contract per month, which is a great contribution towards the community and its health and safety initiatives.
This gives the organizations that are both built and reliant on volunteer work the opportunity to get involved with their communities e.g. in financing youth work at the fire brigade.
All projects have a long-term perspective: after 40 years the municipalities take over the network from equity investors and are then able to monetize their network for the community.

Our target group is exclusively the public at the municipality level, representing and supporting the local communities. All participating municipalities are a part of the regioHelp cooperative.

regioHelp/BG Communication, COS Systems, and Nokia work closely together in a partnership to connect people. All partners believe that “affordable, high-speed internet access for everyone will bridge the digital divide and contribute to a more accessible and equal society.”

In this partnership, regioHelp/BG Communication is responsible for the planning and construction of the project, COS Systems provides the BSS/OSS COS (zero-touch automation software) and has an extensive background and a lot of experience in running open-access networks.
Nokia is not just a vendor – but an active partner of regioHelp/BG Communications, supporting the region with the connectivity needed to achieve its goals.
COS has a framework contract with BG Communications/regio help and wants to support them in distributing their concept to the world.

In our first pilot project, already in the fiber deployment after the first homes were connected and live with a take rate of 80%, the industry in Munderfing began to flourish! New businesses were started and attracted; including the opening of a co-working and seminar house for single entrepreneurs. Moreover, several German subsidiaries settled in Munderfing as it could offer fiber!
Munderfing has become the most attractive area in Braunau, and currently, there are more than 200 individuals and families on the waiting list for an apartment. Before the fiber network was deployed, Munderfing had 900 workplaces to offer; today there are over 3000.

 

Person working on a computer, illustrating the efficiency of Enterprise Network Solutions with COS Business Engine.

Enterprise services are integral to any fiber operator’s business to utilize the network and support customer segments that require more advanced and customized services. Typical customer segments include large Enterprises, property owners, other operators/ISPs, mobile operators, cloud providers, etc. Services to these customer segments include

  1. Standardized internet services (automatically provisioned) 
  2. Internet/DIA and IP transits with static IP configuration or routing of IP subnets
  3. IP-VPN and FW services, point-to-multipoint networks
  4. Transparent Ethernet services, point-to-point or point-to-multipoint
  5. Dark fiber or Wavelengths, point-to-point
  6. Other offerings like hosting, colocation, SLA, QoS, patches etc.

COS Business Engine helps your sales department keep track of every enterprise deal and where it is delivered in the network so that you always have the correct information for support, maintenance, and invoicing.  

  1. Enterprise deals and ISPs’ residential customers on the open network – we provide you with everything on the same billing specification. 
  2. To manage processes for order fulfillment and keep master data for all orders, services, statuses, and billing data. 
  3. Manage network incidents and planned O&M in one process and notify Enterprise customers as well as residential customers at the same time, using the “Disruptions” functionality. 
  4. Integrations to any external CRM tool where you manage the sales process to create orders/customers (Partner API)
  5. Built-in customer portal for customer communication, tickets, and store contracts (PDF or “digital order”) Customer Portal

Optimize the ticketing process by using one process where you can manage all your customers and differentiate depending on customer type and SLA. 

#1 is a really cool feature update! We have significantly extended the Area functionality in Business Engine. When expanding your network, you can use the demand aggregation features to allow potential subscribers to take surveys or pre-signup, making sure you build where you have committed subscribers. The Areas’s, often called “Fiberhoods” or “Service Zones”, status determines what the potential subscriber will be presented with when they search for their address in the Marketplace, and you can now define these yourself! Perhaps your fiberhoods go through the statuses show interest, signup, installation, connectedThis update makes it even easier to tailor service offerings and promotions to these unique areas, even after build-out. As a bonus, we have made it possible for you to choose your own colors to indicate the status of the areas on the admin maps, and creating them is even easier with improved import and editing functionality.

Fiber Marketing Solutions: Computer and Shopping Cart for Enhanced ISP Business

Fiber to the home is a take-rate game!  The main goal is to make your network as attractive as possible for subscribers and to increase take rates.

Are you a traditional Internet Service Provider (ISP), an Open Access Operator, an ISP on an open access network or a wholesale network operator? Either way, your main goal is to make the network as attractive as possible and to have as many subscribers as possible to increase revenues.

As an ISP, you want to promote your company and all your services. As a network operator, you want to promote every service available on your network – whether it is an internet service, telehealth (telemedicine), or something else.

Fiber Marketing

What you need is an online marketplace that allows you to present all services to the end customer: A subscriber marketplace that allows self-service and a great customer experience 24/7.

This gives your subscribers to order what they want – when they want and to easily switch or add services, and it allows you to operate your business more efficiently, with less staff and more profitable.

Let’s Connect and Transform Your Fiber Project

Are you ready to take the next step in transforming your fiber project? If you’re looking for a partner committed to automation, efficiency, and excellence, COS Systems is here to help.

Contact Us today and discuss how our fiber network solutions can empower your business bridging the digital divide and providing our communities with comprehensive FTTH coverage.

If you want to dive deeper into the topic, I highly recommend reading our whitepaper.

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

It is a once-in-a-generation funding opportunity to promote high-speed internet access for underserved and unserved communities. The program aims to bridge the digital divide by providing resources to state, local, and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies to support the deployment and expansion of broadband infrastructure.

Successful grand applications will prioritize projects that address equity issues such as impious broadband access for low-income households, rural areas and communities of color.

Below you can take a look at the timeline for BEAD. Read more about NTIA’s  workforce planning guide aimed at helping individual states in establishing workforce requirements involving the program here.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Timeline: Closing the Digital Divide with $42.45 Billion Funding

Source https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/funding-programs/broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-bead-program

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Detailed Visualization of BSS Platform Model - Incorporating Business, Support, and System Components for Telecom Operations

BSS Platform/Billing Platform/Billing Solution

Detailed Visualization of BSS Platform Model - Incorporating Business, Support, and System Components for Telecom Operations

Your typical Business Support System, (often also referred to as Billing System or Billing Platform) handles the business side of telecommunications and your customer needs. This includes, for example.

To help you plan, visualize and share the progress of your project and make data driven decisions.

Or order orchestration that allows you to capture, validate and track orders from different channels, simplify order management processes and reduces “time to market” significantly. 

To streamline a number of customer-related services, from billing and order processing to subscriptions and notifications.

Uses intelligent cloud-based billing software to automate billing and ensure revenue tracking and management.

Essentially, a BSS platform ensures that the business operates smoothly and that customers are happy. 

A BSS platform essentially ensures that the business operates smoothly and that customers are happy. In Telecommunications, BSS and OSS (Operational Support System) should work smoothly together, as in our COS Product Suite. 

Visual Representation of OSS Solutions' Operational Support System Features - Network Monitoring, Maintenance, Service Provisioning, and Fault Management

What is an OSS Platform?

Visual Representation of OSS Solutions' Operational Support System Features - Network Monitoring, Maintenance, Service Provisioning, and Fault Management

An Operations Support System (OSS) manages the actual telecommunications infrastructure. This includes, for example.

  • Network monitoring 

Network monitoring is a critical IT process where all networking components like routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and VMs are monitored for fault and performance and evaluated continuously to maintain and optimize their availability.

NMS can be used to configure and manage devices on the network. Most NMSs include a dashboard that allows network administrators to see a high-level overview of the network. This dashboard typically provides information on network traffic, performance and any errors or issues that must be addressed immediately.

Helps you prepare and equip a network to allow it to provide new services to its users

An OSS solution essentially ensures that the technical side of the business runs smoothly. In Telecommunications, BSS (Business Solution Platform) and OSS (Operational Support System) should work smoothly together, as in our COS Product Suite.

Illustration of Two Rockets Representing OSS and BSS in Telecom. Together, they demonstrate the difference between OSS and BSS in telecommunications.

What is the Difference between OSS and BSS in telecommunications?

In telecom, both OSS and BSS are widespread terms, but what do they stand for, and what is the difference between them?

Operations support systems (OSS) and business support systems (BSS) are IT systems that are crucial in supporting various telecommunications services. They are a mix of hardware and software tools and form the backbone of the telecommunications industry. Although the functions of an OSS platform and a BSS platform can vary in different areas of telecommunications, they always play a vital role in helping telecom businesses simplify day-to-day processes, improve efficiency, and tackle industry-related challenges.

Read more to learn about the different systems and how our BSS/OSS solution can help your FTTH network succeed and generate more revenue. 

Illustration of Two Rockets Representing OSS and BSS in Telecom. Together, they demonstrate the difference between OSS and BSS in telecommunications.

What is a BSS Platform ?

Your typical Business Support System, (often also referred to as Billing System or Billing Platform) handles the business side of telecommunications and your customer needs. This includes, for example.

  • Product management : To help you plan, visualize and share the progress of your project and make data driven decisions.
  • Order management: Or order orchestration that allows you to capture, validate and track orders from different channels, simplify order management processes and reduces “time to market” significantly. 
  • Customer management: To streamline a number of customer-related services, from billing and order processing to subscriptions and notifications.

Essentially, a BSS platform ensures that the business operates smoothly and that customers are happy. 

What is an OSS Platform?

In comparison, an Operations Support System (OSS) manages the actual telecommunications infrastructure. This includes, for example.

  • Network monitoring: is a critical IT process where all networking components like routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and VMs are monitored for fault and performance and evaluated continuously to maintain and optimize their availability.
  • An Element Management System (EMS), also called Element manager, manages specific types of one or more network elements within a telecommunication management network (TMN). That means an EMS can manage a single node/element or a group of similar nodes. For example, it can configure, read alarms etc. on a particular node or group of nodes. The EMS communicates upward to higher-level systems of network management, in order to manage the traffic between itself and other network elements.The EMS is a critical part of the telecommunications management solution. The EMS is the only exposed network element within the TMN and acts as the mediator of the information. It also controls the network elements within a network management system.
  • Network maintenance System (NMS): Can be used to configure and manage devices on the network. Most NMS include a dashboard that allows network administrators to see a high-level overview of the network. This dashboard typically provides information on network traffic, performance and any errors or issues that must be addressed immediately.
  • Compared to and EMS, an NMS (Network Management System)  manages a complete network and understands the inter-relationship between individual devices, which an EMS cannot.
  • Service provisioning: Helps you prepare and equip a network to allow it to provide new services to its users
  • Fault management: The component of network management that detects, isolates and fixes problems.

In short, BSS platforms are focused on your customer’s needs and the business operations and can also be referred to as a billing plattform or billing solution,  while OSS solutions are focused on technical operations. OSS and BSS should work smoothly together, as in our COS Product Suite and help you increase revenue, cut costs & shorten time to market.

COS Systems and netElastic RADIUS Solutions Collaboration Logo with Village Background

Santa Clara, California, and Umeå, Sweden, August 22, 2023 – netElastic, an innovative software company providing high-performance routing solutions, and COS Systems, a leading provider of network management and billing solutions for Service Providers and Open Access Networks are excited to announce a strategic partnership. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders to revolutionize the delivery of RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) solutions for service providers worldwide.

This partnership between COS Systems and netElastic addresses the growing demand for BSS solutions for Open Access networks. By combining COS System’s unique open-access billing solution with netElastic’s pioneering vBNG routers, the companies will provide service providers with a powerful, future-ready RADIUS platform.

COS Systems Business Engine, a proven network management solution (BSS/OSS) supporting Service Providers and Open Access Networks with an automated end-to-end solution to streamline fiber network management will integrate seamlessly with netElastic’s virtual BNG, a software-based solution that enables service providers to deliver high-performance broadband services. This integration will empower open access service providers to efficiently manage subscriber access and authentication through a centralized RADIUS solution, allowing them to choose virtually any RADIUS-capable BNG solution to manage subscribers.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with netElastic Systems whose disaggregated approach to BNG makes it an attractive solution, creating a wider overlap with fiber operators using COS. This collaboration brings key L3 functionality to enable automation in forward-thinking, unique business models.” said Mikael Philipsson, CEO of COS Systems. 

“While programming an OLT directly is good enough for many ISPs, open-access networkers need fine-grained subscriber control to provide services that allow them to differentiate in the market.” said Tom Mitchell, VP of Strategy and Business Development at netElastic Systems. “RADIUS is the open standard that enables this and netElastic’s virtual Broadband Network Gateway (vBNG) is the ideal router to bring it all home.”

COS Systems and netElastic are committed to helping service providers around the world deliver exceptional broadband services with unmatched reliability and performance. The partnership will focus on providing best-in-class RADIUS solutions to meet the evolving needs of service providers and their subscribers.

About COS Systems:

COS Systems is a leading provider of cloud-hosted network management and billing solutions for service providers. COS Business Engine is a proven network management solution (BSS/OSS) supporting Service Providers and Open Access Networks. The end-to-end platform provides subscribers self-service and digital sales and marketing through an online marketplace. Service orders will be automatically activated within a minute and billing follows with no operator interaction. It offers a great user experience, increasing take rates and revenue. COS Systems has a global customer base and serves a wide range of service providers, including municipalities, utilities, network operators, and fiber ISPs. Learn more about COS Systems at www.cossystems.com.

About netElastic:

netElastic is an innovative software company providing high-performance routing solutions for broadband providers. netElastic developed one of the first software-based broadband network gateways (BNGs) and has been a leader ever since. netElastic vBNG brings greater scalability, flexibility, and lower costs to BNGs. netElastic’s software-based CGNAT solution provides the most important CGNAT features at a fraction of the cost of traditional proprietary CGNAT solutions. For more information, please visit www.netelastic.com

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