The IOT/IOE echo system broadly comprises edge device/gateways, connectivity, IOT Platform, analytics and application providers
It requires integration across these players to stitch and realize the value.
Among these, CSPs have been the connectivity providers.
Also CSPs,
have been traditionally collaborating with OEMs, VAS providers for network function and services.
Have established structures to handle sales, field deployment/service apart from the means to measure and bill service - all for the large volumes of customers scattered geographically, typically country/state.
Established relationships with customers/enterprises over the years
Considering these, CSPs are well placed to take distinct advantage over other players in the echo system to move up the value chain and play integrators, thus offering IOT as a service to customers.
However, this requires certain fundamental learning/unlearning from CSPs:
• Readiness and willingness to move up the value chain
• Change in organization mindset through management to the field/service personnel, to accept and differentiate this as different from telecom way of business
• Agility unlike the days when CSPs determined and controlled the product launches over months
• Identifying and finalizing partnerships with vendors/players in this chain in this evolving stream, and making the processes to onboard/off board partnerships simpler
• Launch IOT services that are reasonably cooked and ensure basic function, and not wait for the perfection, quickly learn from the field feedback.
• Acceptance that the revenue streams in near term will be at pittance compared to existing connectivity portfolio, with the realization and understanding of its future potential
------------------------------
Jagan Kalva
Tata Consultancy Services
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-27-2017 11:19
From: Marco Garfias
Subject: Google IoT vs Telco IoT
Hi to all,
Thanks to all for share your ideas.
I'm thinking aloud and what do you think if mobile operators offer premium services over existing products?
The current currency (and for now) are MB, I saw in my country a free Facebook offer but so limited that no one uses it.
Also, mobile operators are not apps developers, then it makes sense they do partnerships to have a differentiation over the same products/services that exists in the internet market.
------------------------------
Marco Garfias
Salamanca Solutions International
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-27-2017 07:35
From: Anton Van der Burgt
Subject: Google IoT vs Telco IoT
And... dont forget that next to googles and apples there are also energy grid operators etc.. that want to play in the IoT market. although they are even slower that traditional telcos, and would (if they would produce cars) still be defining cupholder requirements (thanks Jim), they have an number of interesting services for the user. to be more precise, they have thought about "potential" services, that they mostly cannot offer consistently right now.. telcos have a lot to offer to grid operators, because they have a lot in common. googles and apples do not have a lot of experiences with dirty boots in the mud...while they WILL be great in organising/orchestrating the overall scheme of things, and will be hard to beat in "owning" the customer, they will not bring the pizza. Yes, telcos will be more like commodity providers AS WELL . but you dont need to stop there...
------------------------------
Anton Van der Burgt
Xelas energy software
www.xelasenergy.com
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-27-2017 06:49
From: Jim Warner
Subject: Google IoT vs Telco IoT
Humberto hit the nail on the head. Google, Apple, et al start with the customer. What do customers want? What would they like? What would thrill them if it were available? Then they work backwards to design, develop and market a product that meets those requirements. And if they do their jobs well, they know enough people will beat a path to their door to make it a success.
Telcos come at it the complete opposite. They start with a product they know they can design and build, then they figure out how to market it to a target audience all underpinned with control - the need to keep a tight rein on things. Nowhere is this clearer than in the Smart Home area.
Most Telcos have a Smart Home offering. However, most of them have very limited offerings. Want home security - they only offer 1 brand of equipment. Want a smart thermostat? You might have a choice of 2 different models. Same for cameras, door locks, lighting, etc. And in some cases, the Telco insists on installing things themselves.
Contrast that to what one can get from Amazon, Samsung and others who all make products and platforms that connect with and work with an ever growing list of things from other makers. And all can be self installed and managed from 1 or more apps. And this is just 1 minor example.
If Telcos made cars - they would still be market testing cup holders.
------------------------------
Jim Warner
Westport Group
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-27-2017 03:44
From: Humberto Castejon
Subject: Google IoT vs Telco IoT
Hi,
In my opinion the answer is very simple: adapt to the new reality and follow the new rules of the game.
Telcos are used to have control over the value change, but this is no longer possible. Newcomers like Google are not playing by the old telco rules based on lengthy standardization processes and local (mostly marketing-based) competition. They follow the Internet rules. These new rules are based on in-house agile development. They do not re-sell products, they build them. And they do not talk for years inside standardization bodies to agree on heavy standards. They just act!
So IMHO telcos have two options: either they play by the new rules and build and provide their own solutions (to continue offering value-added services) or let others do that and accept getting a small piece of the cake by being a bit pipe.
------------------------------
Cheers,
Humberto Castejon
Telenor Research
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2017 09:05
From: Marco Garfias
Subject: Google IoT vs Telco IoT
Hi,
I have a question to this community, it seems Google and many application developers are doing IoT software using the standard protocols (Bluetooth, WiFi, IPV4, others) without dependency of a specific mobile provider nor additional network infrastructure.
Under this scenario it is possible telecom business changes their image from Value Added services to commodity services. How can survive a mobile provider in this environment where there are new challengers in the market out of their control?
------------------------------
Marco Garfias
Product Manager
Salamanca Solutions International
------------------------------