The Coming Carrier Network Infrastructure: A Very Different Landscape

New Partnerships, New Business Models for Tomorrow’s Telcos

By Alcatel-Lucent

Published 2007, Posted March 2008

Abstract:

Both fixed and mobile telecom operators are facing new competitive challenges as they shift their focus from the network to developing retail business and content partnerships. Among the strategies they can adopt are: invest in fiber to the home in order to offer quadruple play services; converge their current and future customer offerings; and separate their network and service operations. In addition, the fierce competitive environment will drive increased merger and acquisition activity as well as the formation of partnerships between organizations that previously viewed themselves as separate entities - for example, fixed and wireless companies.

To compete in this new environment, operators are rethinking their business models and are turning to outsourcing arrangements as a way to enhance their competitive positioning. Ownership of the network infrastructure is increasingly being viewed as outside their core business.