Mavenir Systems announced the availability of its Mobile Cloud Suite (MCS) which is designed to help network operators launch pre-IMS rich communications services either as an in-network deployment or as a hosted cloud-based service.
While the company crafts an interesting buzzword collage in describing its solution, it is unclear how the MCS will actually enable network operators to support IP voice, video and messaging solutions in a way that is more cost effective and compelling than with the solutions that they currently have at their disposal.
To be sure, Mavenir cited a number of key advantages that operators possess in their quest to compete with OTT content providers. These advantages include, a mobile phone number, QoS controls, interconnect agreements, and advanced security frameworks. However, how Mavenir’s MCS helps operators leverage these assets is unclear.
Going beyond buzzwords and clearly differentiating its solution will be critical for Mavenir. For at least the last few years, the largest equipment providers in the business have been singing a similar tune about helping operators leverage their assets in the OTT wars. So far, few if any, solutions providers have been able to crack the code. Part of the reason is not technical at all. The high cost for operators to adopt, deploy, and potentially see a solution meet with lackluster results is a huge gating factor.
One interesting aspect of the announcement is the Early Adopters Program (EAP), which essentially amounts to a “try-before-you-buy” scheme whereby an operator can roll-out the MCS as an internal service to its own employees. Because OTT’s have the ability to roll-out, and potentially ditch, new services much more quickly, and at much less risk than a network operator they have been able to maintain a perpetual upper hand. Enabling an operator to test-drive the MCS service, helps to dramatically mitigate risk of adoption for would-be Mavenir customers. In this sense, it could be a key factor in convincing operators to give Mavenir’s MCS a try.
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