Monetizing investments in next generation networks depends upon the capability to deliver the services users want on those networks, how and when they want them. So operators are recognizing that investments in network infrastructure need to be complemented by investments in smart policy and charging systems that will provide insight into subscriber behavior.
Infonetics Research is predicting the operators will spend $14 billion on convergent charging systems and software over the next five years and that 60% plan on integrating these with policy management systems. “The power of a policy management system lies in the information supplied to it, driving the need for operators to be able to gather and analyze data about their networks, services and customers. Once that occurs, that information can then be used to make contextual policy decisions that address the specific requirements of the customer while optimizing network resources,” says analyst Shira Levine of Infonetics Research.
The combination of charging and policy gives service providers the opportunity to engage the customer at a new level. Nimble operators are moving quickly from policy control to policy engagement, choosing and using systems that enable them to engage with subscribers in ways that are relevant to users at the moment.
A commuter preparing to drive home would almost certainly appreciate a pushed update on traffic conditions from her smartphone, and if she pulled over to download a video of traffic from the local TV station’s skycam, she would appreciate fast delivery of a high quality video, even if her carrier’s network was as congested as the highway. These are the types of services that can be facilitated by smart policy management systems, and that will increase customer loyalty to the network, use of the network, and spending on the network’s offerings.
RCR Wireless News Webinar: Driving New Revenues with Policy Management and Subscriber Engagement
December 11 at 12:00pm ET
Policy Decision and Policy Enforcement in mobile data networks is evolving beyond basic blocking and throttling of traffic to enabling advanced use cases and capabilities. A key area of interest is
Policy Engagement – how new policy-enabled data plans, offers and promotions are being meaningfully offered to end users, and how policy engagement and enhanced subscriber data management is leading to new up-sell opportunities for operators, while at the same time empowering subscribers. Learn from leading analysts at Infonetics Research how policy is evolving and how new areas such as SDM are being integrated. Listen to Openwave Mobility discuss how mobile operators can achieve tangible and measurable increases in ARPU by deploying Policy Engagement. Register for this free webinar sponsored by Openwave Mobility.
