We discuss the following topics in this blog:

1. Is Digitisation Ushering Disruptive Times Ahead?
2. How Digital Transformation Can Add Value for CSPs?
3. Sterlite Tech’s Digital Commerce and Customer Management platform

In addition to these topics, we shall also be answering the following FAQs:

1. What is WiFi?
2. What is an Optical Fibre Cable?

Is Digitisation Ushering Disruptive Times Ahead?

As digitisation reshapes the industry landscape, telecom companies are in for disruptive times ahead. In hindsight, there has never been a better time in the history to go digital. Digitisation will offer a unique opportunity to telecom companies to re-position themselves in the market while creating innovative service offerings for customers.

Customers are used to having a digital experience for everything from booking movie tickets to pizza delivery to filing their taxes. Why wouldn’t they expect the same from their CSP? According to this report by the Boston Consulting Group, by 2020, India’s internet industry is expected to double from today’s $125 million, growing to 7.5% of the total GDP. Personalized and one-touch digital engagement with customers can be the key differentiator for service providers in today’s competitive marketplace. One way to do this is by creating an intelligent and intuitive omni-channel experience.

How Digital Transformation Can Add Value for CSPs?

• Achieve end-to-end automation, from order-to-activation
• Improve customer satisfaction by offering a seamless omni-channel experience
• Monetize quickly and easily with innovative offers and personalized solutions

To accelerate digital transformation, CSPs can take advantage of a converged platform that addresses the demands of next-generation subscribers and enterprises. Sterlite Tech’s Digital Commerce and Customer Management platform simplifies and enables CSPs to digitize products and services, making them available online 24*7, they also enable customers to customize their plans and enhance their experience using self-care applications.

For instance, customers will have access to web portal and mobile apps to manage their accounts. Telcos can also roll out real-time and contextual offers based on insights from customers. Data-driven Systems of Insights gives telcos access to advanced analytics for data monetization and ensures extensive cloudification and network virtualization. The digital journey is an exciting journey for CSPs which is immensely rewarding, provided they find the right digital partner.  

FAQs

What is WiFi?

Put simply, WiFi is a technology that uses radio waves to create a wireless network through which devices like mobile phones, computers, printers, etc., connect to the internet. A wireless router is needed to establish a WiFi hotspot that people in its vicinity may use to access internet services. You’re sure to have encountered such a WiFi hotspot in houses, offices, restaurants, etc.

To get a little more technical, WiFi works by enabling a Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN that allows devices connected to it to exchange signals with the internet via a router. The frequencies of these signals are either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bandwidths. These frequencies are much higher than those transmitted to or by radios, mobile phones, and televisions since WiFi signals need to carry significantly higher amounts of data. The networking standards are variants of 802.11, of which there are several (802.11a, 802.11b, 801.11g, etc.).

What is an Optical Fibre Cable?

An optical fibre cable is a cable type that has a few to hundreds of optical fibres bundled together within a protective plastic coating. They help carry digital data in the form of light pulses across large distances at faster speeds. For this, they need to be installed or deployed either underground or aerially. Standalone fibres cannot be buried or hanged so fibres are bunched together as cables for the transmission of data.

This is done to protect the fibre from stress, moisture, temperature changes and other externalities. There are three main components of a optical fibre cable, core (It carries the light and is made of pure silicon dioxide (SiO2) with dopants such as germania, phosphorous pentoxide, or alumina to raise the refractive index; Typical glass cores range from as small as 3.7um up to 200um), Cladding (Cladding surrounds the core and has a lower refractive index than the core, it is also made from the same material as the core; 1% refractive index difference is maintained between the core and cladding; Two commonly used diameters are 125µm and 140µm) and Coating (Protective layer that absorbs shocks, physical damage and moisture; The outside diameter of the coating is typically either 250µm or 500µm; Commonly used material for coatings are acrylate,Silicone, carbon, and polyimide).

An optical fibre cable is made up of the following components: Optical fibres – ranging from one to many. Buffer tubes (with different settings), for protection and cushioning of the fibre. Water protection in the tubes – wet or dry. A central strength member (CSM) is the backbone of all cables. Armoured tapes for stranding to bunch the buffer tubes and strength members together. Sheathing or final covering to provide further protection.

The five main reasons that make this technology innovation disruptive are fast communication speed, infinite bandwidth & capacity, low interference, high tensile strength and secure communication. The major usescases of optical fibre cables include intenet connectivity, computer networking, surgery & dentistry, automotive industry, telephony, lighting & decorations, mechanical inspections, cable television, military applications and space.