Analysys Mason Podcast

How Rakuten is writing the automation rulebook for 5G

In this podcast Principal Analyst, Anil Rao discusses network automation with Rahul Atri, Managing Director, Rakuten Mobile Singapore.
(00:00) Anil introduces us to how the telecoms industry is responding to the challenges and opportunities of automation and Rahul explains why Rakuten made automation a fundamental part of its approach
 
(09:00) vRAN automation use case – how deployment time per site was reduced from 6 days 8.5 minutes
 
(12:00) The foundational principles of extreme automation at Rakuten; with examples of edge data centre deployment automation and more discussion about vRAN
 
(17:00) The current state of automation at Rakuten; successes and challenges
 
(28:00) Rakuten Communications Platform, the layered architecture, infrastructure, orchestration engine, observability framework
 
(35:00) Rakuten Communications Platform and industry standards, collaborating with vendor partners to build open solutions and the pitfalls of too many standards. Balancing standards with optimisation, customisation, and innovation
 
(44:00) Making DevOps, continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) work with partners
 
(48:00) Riding the Open-source wave
 
(54.00) OpenRAN and remote interface control (RIC)
 
(57:42) Machine learning and artificial intelligence; use case examples including self-healing automation
 
(01:06:00) What to expect in 2021
 
(01:10:00) Recommendations to communications service providers and vendor partners
 

Operators’ cloud strategies for vRAN are challenging, but a USD23.5 billion far edge market awaits

In this podcast, Research Director, Caroline Chappell discusses the key messages from our report, Implementing the vRAN cloud: strategies for success.
For further insights into vRAN and the vRAN cloud opportunity watch our on-demand webinar, Virtualised RAN: overcoming the economic and architectural challenges.

Analysys Mason’s predictions for M&A activity in the telecoms market in 2021

2021 is expected to be a year of great dynamism with opportunities across the TMT value chain for an even wider audience of investors than seen before. In this podcast, Consulting Principal, Alessandro Ravagnolo outlines Analysys Mason’s top ten predictions for M&A activity in the telecoms market in 2021
The associated article can be found here. 

Vendors of cyber-security solutions need to change their approach to benefit from the operator channel

Operators provide an attractive route to market for security vendors and have ambitious plans to expand their security propositions. However, vendors need to do more to benefit from this route to market.
In this podcast, Research Partner, Tom Rebbeck explores how security vendors can better serve the operator channel.
The associated article and figures can be viewed here. 

The pandemic has not led to many strategy changes for operators, but some aspects require a rethink

The telecoms industry has suffered limited damage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some aspects were significantly affected.
In this podcast, Research Partner, Tom Rebbeck, looks at how the crisis has impacted telecoms, and provides some suggestions for operators.
The associated article and figures can be viewed here.
 

The valuation of stc pay at over USD1 billion shows the potential of mobile financial services in the Gulf region

stc’s fintech subsidiary, stc pay, is valued at over USD1.3 billion and became the first start-up to reach ‘unicorn’ status in Saudi Arabia.
In this podcast, Senior Analyst, Karim Yaici analyses the factors that have contributed to stc pay’s rapid growth in Saudi Arabia and discusses what operators in the region can learn from its success.
The associated article and figures can be viewed here.

Analysys Mason’s predictions for consumer telecoms services in 2021

In this podcast, Research Director, Stephen Sale sets out Analysys Mason's predictions for telecoms operators’ consumer services in 2021.
The associated article and figures can be viewed here.

Analysys Mason’s predictions for business connectivity, communications, IoT and security in 2021

The pandemic has had a major impact on operators' business services. It has accelerated some trends while disrupting others.
In this podcast, Research Partner, Tom Rebbeck sets out our 11 predictions for telecoms operators’ business services in 2021.
The associated article and links to other research can be accessed here.