By: Tim Young
This issue is focused on network transformation, which is inevitably a discussion of business transformation and digital transformation. It is not and cannot be a conversation limited to
network infrastructure. The days of compartmentalization are over. And as I combed through the various end-of-year industry thinkpieces that are a hallmark of the slow news winter months, there was
a unanimous sentiment that automation will play a central role in the network—and in the overall business model of CSPs and vendors—moving forward…
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By: Scott St. John - Pipeline
Disruption is relentless and not everyone survives. Our species and its predecessors have had to contend with tremendous changes over millions of years just so that we could be here today. In
fact, we have survived five mass-extinction events, six plagues, and the Kardashians – so far. Survival is no small feat. But there are significant differences between simply surviving change,
enduring survival, and actually thriving through disruption. Those are important distinctions. Some, like the woolly mammoth, may have been able overcome a single change, but were unable to weather
the waves of disruption that followed…
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By: John Nishimoto
As I think about the traditional telecom network today, the taxi versus Uber is an apt metaphor. If I need a ride in the traditional taxi “system", I call a central number and hope they
dispatch my request to an available cab. I’m at their mercy in terms of controlling the message, dependent on available capacity (cabs), and uncertain of when the cab will get there to pick me up
to take me where I need to go. Contrast that to Uber where there is more capacity (notice all the cars with Uber stickers), and from my phone or PC, I can see what’s available and know when they
will pick me up…
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By: David Ohrn
The enterprise, regardless of industry or size, is undergoing a transformation like no other. We are seeing the number of connected devices and need for real-time transmission between devices
sky rocket. Employees need access to information anywhere and at any time. Companies are looking to adopt technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to make smarter
decisions. And data proliferation is occurring to the point where companies must re-strategize how to manage data better…
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By: Omar Valdez-de-Leon
Digital technologies are transforming industries, with virtually no exception. Cars are becoming computers on wheels, products are turning into (digital) services; cities are connecting trash
cans and monitoring water quality remotely. And communications services is no different. In fact, it is a sector that is undergoing a fundamental and complex transformation. From virtualization of
networks through to the digitalization of customer experience to new opportunities to create and deliver new digital services…
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By: Ken Harper
Critics have predicted the death of the mainframe for more than 30 years. In spite of constant macabre diagnoses, mainframe technology has proven its staying power. Ninety percent of Fortune
500 companies continue to rely on mainframes, either solely or as part of a hybrid solution. Contrary to longstanding predictions, the mainframe is not going extinct any time soon, and its
technology powers everything from ATM transactions to airline reservations. A 2014 Vanson Bourne study showed 87 percent of organizations currently using mainframes expect to continue doing so for
more than five years…
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By: Michaela Radman
As recent as five years ago, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) solutions were looked at as the future of networking, viewed as a more efficient,
streamlined, and cost-effective way to operate global networks, with the promise of huge cost savings. It has taken some time, but SDN and NFV solutions are no longer anticipated network
technologies of the distant future, and are projected for major growth in the next few years.SDN Market Projection: Research and Markets anticipates that the global SDN market will expand at a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53…
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By: Shahin Arefzadeh, Ph.D.
In today´s competitive world, CSPs are facing a lot of challenges: digital transformation, IoT, AI, Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, automation, NFV, SDN, OpenSource such as ONAP – just to
name a few. On top of these new technologies, CSPs must also deal with a new type of competition from software web giants such as Google, Amazon, and Facebook. On the earning side, CSPs are facing
customer loss and extremely high churn rates. For example, according to Forbes Verizon´s net decline in first three months of 2017 was about 307,000 postpaid customers…
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By: Alan DiCicco
Internet access is increasingly the only network operator-provided service valued by the residential and small business customer, making it challenging for service providers to offer value to
their subscribers. When switching costs and differentiation are low, the ability to satisfy and keep paying customers over the long term becomes difficult. Consumers today have a deeper
relationship with the media streaming into their homes and the devices that automate their daily habits than the network that actually delivers these services…
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By: Scott St. John - Pipeline
The industry continued to gain momentum this month. There was a noticeable uptick in merger and acquisition activity, deployments, customer wins, and network roll-outs – including significant
advancements in 5G. IoT continued to foster innovation news and the CES event in Las Vegas helped fuel the news around it and other technology areas. The top stories from the month are
summarized below. To view all the news as it breaks, check out Pipeline's News Center or subscribe to receive our weekly news summary…
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By: Tim Young
-----------------------“How does one become butterfly?' she asked pensively. 'You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.’'You mean to die?' asked Yellow,
remembering three other caterpillars who fell out of the sky. 'Yes and no,' he answered. 'What looks like you will die, but what's really you will still live.” “Hope for the Flowers” - by
Trina Paulus (1972) -----------------------Change is scary. And tricky. Carriers face an era of change that is considerably scarier than asking a caterpillar to become a butterfly…
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