Tech Mahindra will now dial the $15 bn access network market

PUNE: Tech Mahindra has set its eyes on a global market pie worth $15 billion in the access network space. Its tie-up with Evolved Networks for a joint solution is the first step in this direction, which would be followed by another product for access market that is in the planning stage now.

The tie-up, that spawns from Evolved Networks’ expertise in access network and its initial association in the early days of Tech Mahindra along with the latter's current telco domain expertise, will entail a joint product design initiative from both the companies in the access market space.

The software solution is expected to allow operators to manage their access network and deliver next generation services and cost effective network re-generation. Dr. J Gowri Krishna, vice president, network design and engineering, shared that an increase in one per cent of accuracy in data can translate into $200 million in savings and this solution claims to increase the accuracy levels from 40 to 95 per cent.

"The Local Loop (also known as an access network) connects an operator’s core network (the national backbone connecting cities and regions) to the end customer.

This is essentially the series of wires, which run underground and over ground between a local telephone exchange and a customer’s home/business. The problem is that the records (maps and databases) held by operators are between 40 to 60 per cent inaccurate (data ref: Yankee Group – Dirty Data Threatens next generation broadband – 2006) and this means that the operator may not know where the wire runs, how long it is, which wire is connected to which in a street side cabinet etc.

This is the key reason why there are problems and delays today in setting up new broadband customers to the broadband network, and in offering services like IPTV," he explained.

He admitted that while similar solutions are already there in the market, this would be an end-to end product, "There are companies who are correcting it but only in bits and pieces. Some cover the physical part while some handle the GIS part. Access Networks need two sets of data - physical and logical and until now, the approach to tackle it was limited to manual maps that took five to seven years on an average. By the time you finish uploading one set, it's time for the next one. We would cover both the physical and logical aspects," he said.

The market for this solution, that would also cover OFCs (Optical Fibre Cables), would be vast, in his opinion, though for the company now, tier-I operators in India, US, Europe and Asia would be the target segments.

"Any network operator, cable or telco with a service market on network planning and associated customer services, would find it relevant. Normally, a customer service agent needs to check the exchange database for any query or new business request which, due to inaccuracies, or actual inventory gaps between actual field data and electronic entries might lead into lost business. This solution will work on the database and will reconstruct it in real time with GIS," he explained.

Since the solution handles accuracy and data aspects of the last lap of connectivity, would it be able to address number-mis-reporting in CAS-Cable operator tussles or last mile Access Deficit charges in the BSNL- other operator’s controversies? "It's all related to the database availability with the broadcaster in the CAS case and the issue of billings and not physical inventory in the telco case," answers Krishna.

Such applications hence, are not on the radar for the moment. As regards the, wireless market, that is growing at staggering rates in comparison to the erstwhile landline market, Krishna has again no immediate plans. "There is no business problem or need of this nature there. Wireless operators have less inventory," he clarifies.

"Introduction of new services such as IPTV, VoD, demand large amounts of data to be delivered over the antiquated access network. This necessitates an accurate picture of their local loop, detailed knowledge of where existing access network assets lie, such as duct routes and capacity. Working closely with Tech Mahindra will allow us to drive business deep into India, Asia Pacific and American markets," said Eric Gries, CEO of Evolved Networks.

Gries denied any issues on IP under the pact. "We have a good degree of flexibility on both the sides and IP would be fine-tuned on a project by project basis."

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