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Operational Support Systems (OSSes) are the backbone of telecom services. But, managing the OSS is a challenging task for many asset-based carriers, and since service providers own the networks, their revenue models are also characterized by the range of agreements they forge with other service providers for offering services across the world. In a world that is still divided by boundaries, every provider wants to dominate a particular geography, and roaming across networks is still not an easy task as there are interoperability issues. Keeping the issues in mind, Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) make a difference.

Typically, MVNOs don't own networks; instead, they buy minutes from other operators and sell it to their customers. MVNOs, however, need a service delivery platform on which they can offer their services, and this is where companies like XIUS-bcgi are focusing.

XIUS-bcgi is a division of Megasoft, and its forte lies in providing convergent communication solutions for mobile network operators globally. The company offers solutions to MVNOs. The company's clients include Telefonica, Sprint, Etisalat, and Embarq, among others. Says GV Kumar, MD and CEO, Megasoft: “Being an OSS skill set company, we have taken a different path. Our approach is de-coupling service rollout from networks. So, what we offer is a service delivery platform de-coupled from network. This approach makes a lot of sense in the telecom space that is moving toward real-time billing, and customers today expect a single billing system.”

One of the key differentiators of XIUS comes from the IP it has created in the form of its products. Its flagship product, INfinet TM-V7, that provides convergent billing solution along with core network subscriber authentication and managed mobility for high performance. On the advanced roaming space, the company has products like PowerRoam, SmartRoute, CAMEL Overlay, and Welcome Notification.

“Being an OSS skill-set company, we have taken a different path. Our approach is de-coupling service rollout from network” GV Kumar, MD and CEO, Megasoft

The company also has products for the hosted roaming environment, which enables mobile network operators to create global roaming coverage. It works by allowing subscribers to roam in heterogeneous networks. Another significant product is the Virtual Mobile Network Operators Integrated Service Engine (VOISE), which is aimed at MVNOs and enables heterogeneous services. According to company sources, it brings in a high degree of agility into MVNO operations. The company calls it a next generation convergent platform for MVNOs.

Says Kumar: “The underlying philosophy of each of our product endeavors is innovation.” Looking at the company's product offerings, it has dared to venture into areas that are very challenging and emerging. Last year, the company added another new product, called MyPeers, for peer-to-peer communication. Says Kumar: “For the end-mobile user, MyPeers will revolutionize the way they communicate with their peers. For industry players, in today's falling ARPU scenario, MyPeers will add a potent revenue stream to MVNOs, MNOs and other telecom service providers by enabling them to provide enhanced peer-to-peer communication tools.”

MyPeers works something like this: assuming that there are two friends-A and B. Between the two peers, when A sends an SMS to B, asking him to meet him at Starbucks, MyPeers engine adds to the message additional and useful information such as contact numbers for taxi, directions on how to reach Starbucks, etc. Such a context-based messaging assists B to reach Starbucks without him having to make an effort. By this, many end users would get relevant help based on content sent from the source peer.

XIUS is clearly one of the companies to watch for in the telecom software space and with the explosion of customer base, operators need solutions that bring greater value and RoI in terms of manageability and be able to seamlessly scale. With the MVNO model on the threshold of boom, companies like XIUS are de-coupling services from networks, and, in the bargain, creating a new market segment where XIUS definitely has an early mover advantage.

Shrikanth G
shrikanthg@cybermedia.co.in