The convergence of voice and data networks has resulted in unprecedented cooperation among participants as they work together to design advanced solutions that will be able to bill by byte, packet, quality of service (QoS), or time of day. Meanwhile, telecom service providers are exploring new services such as application hosting, voice-over Internet protocol (VoIP), IP faxing, and IP messaging, offering tremendous opportunities for OSS billing companies to develop robust systems to support these new services and networks.

This compelling Frost & Sullivan research provides a detailed analysis of the invoicing/collections, rating and discounting, and network data management segments of the world OSS billing markets. By focusing on the drivers and restraints influencing this market, including the quantification of each segment, this study explains the competitive environment and suggests strategies to successfully overcome industry challenges.

Data Collection Partners Crucial For Next-Generation Success

In an IP network, no single element can furnish the required data to provide billing record, making companies that specialize in data collection an important part of any complete billing system. This has resulted in the creation of OSS participants that work exclusively in the collection and assembly of this data. These records must be literally assembled using authentication server and router data.

"It is almost mandatory that even a traditional billing system firm will need to partner with a company that provides the assembling of records from IP networks," states the study's author. "In data-centric IP networks, routers or other network elements do not readily furnish event records."

Support of Conventional Networks Still Needed

Billing companies should continue to support conventional networks with new products and features, but not at the expense of creating solutions for next-generation networks.

"Companies specializing in next-generation network billing systems should partner with a participant that supplies a more conventional circuit-switched based billing system, thereby creating an opportunity if the service provider decides to implement a next-generation network," states the author. By providing the latest market intelligence and detailed quantification, this Frost & Sullivan study can help your company fully evaluate the market's potential and make informed investment decisions.