Overcoming telecoms industry challenges: Tackling the key problems
According to analysis by Digital Commerce 360, 81 percent of buyers used digital channels to make telecom-related purchases during COVID-19, and 36 percent plan to use digital channels more in 2021. However, the rise of digitalisation presents telecommunications with both opportunities and challenges.
Telecommunications is an industry battling constant change. A lack of connectivity in rural areas, hurdles to the full fifth generation (5G) rollout and the impact from the pandemic are just some of many challenges it must overcome in order to thrive.
And that’s not all. In an increasingly competitive market, customer demands for a faster and more personalised service mean that telcos of all sizes are constantly needing to adapt to stay ahead. To help telecommunications companies navigate an ever-changing landscape, software provider Mobilise, which has worked with service providers including Virgin and Red Bull Mobile, has shed light on some of the key challenges telcos face in 2021.
Digitalisation, competition between operators and the use of data analytics all need to be understood and overcome. Firstly, digitalisation impacts every step of the customer journey. eSIMs, for example, will be compatible in 60 percent of smartphones by 2025 and represent a significant opportunity for providers.
Mobilise provides eSIM as a service, supported by Mobilise’s M-Connect digital platform, to help service providers accelerate eSIM adoption while minimising costs, time to market and project risks. Onboarding customers with eSIMs, in place of traditional SIM cards, allows instant onboarding to encourage a more streamlined activation process. In addition, telcos can reduce logistics costs and can target the wider market for eSIM-enabled devices. Without seriously considering eSIMs, telcos could risk losing customers to other providers.
In addition, telcos must consider how customer expectations are changing. They want more flexibility, personalisation, and more meaningful interactions with providers. Competition between mobile network operators (MNOs) and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) is fierce. Smaller MVNOs are trying to keep up with their larger counterparts, and as customer expectations change, MVNOs must define their niche.
In addition, the M-Connect platform supports several other customisable services that can help MVNOs to better position themselves in the industry. The interface enables customers to buy and manage subscriptions independently and permits sales and customer service staff to manage customer demands with greater agility. “With M-Connect we’ve seen companies improve their net promoter score (NPS) by 25 percent.
M-Connect also enables advanced data analytics, an area that has thus far seen slow adoption across the industry. Previously, analytics, reporting and data management have largely been regarded as ’add-ons‘. However, we believe that analytics should be mandatory.
Analytical tools can be used to monitor how customers interact with a telecoms service, providing opportunity to enhance the user’s experience. This can incorporate technologies including artificial intelligence, which can be used to predict and prevent churn and improve customer retention.
Telcos must pay attention to changes in industry and the shifting expectations of their customers. Integrating technologies such as eSIMs and predictive analytics offers many operational and user benefits that could be key to overcoming common challenges.