Telecom Namibia has commenced its journey to replace obsolete technologies and fast-track its digital transformation initiatives with the signing of a N$327 million contract with Sistemas Avanzados De Technologia S.A (SATEC) to supply, deliver, install, commission, and maintain Operations and Business Support Systems.
This project will introduce a convergent platform for Telecom Namibia for both fixed and mobile services with integrated, cloud native products suites including online charging, billing, revenue management, product management and customer relationship management.
The company says it will introduce new, innovative products and better ways to interact and serve its customers and improve the quality of service to all its end users. The billing platform will enable the digitalization of processes and customer touch points aimed at improving customer service and convenience through new features, customer self-service capabilities and timely customer engagement within the digital space and applications.
As key part of the transformation process Telecom Namibia launched its new five-year Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) on 22 June 2023 aimed at four overall goals: stabilising the business, business transformation, digitalisation, and digital transformation.
“The initial 5-year agreement with SATEC is the basis of our envisaged long-term partnership and together, through this partnership we commit to work together and build a scalable environment that will enable Telecom Namibia to innovate and collaborate better and in an agile manner with local innovators and other players to extend more benefits and digital based solutions to the market and end users. It will also pave the way for next-generation innovations, including the commercial launch of 5G services, the Internet of Things (IoT), network functions virtualization, just to name a few,” Telecom said.
Telecom Namibia’s legacy system made it difficult and expensive for the company to meet current and future market needs and customer expectations. Similarly, prior systems operated in silos making it difficult for various systems to be integrated and synergies to be achieved. This agreement will effectively converge the various stand-alone billing systems creating a mesh between systems, products and services, and thereby creating an environment that is efficiently integrated and automated and flexible to meet current and future market needs.
“The implementation of a converged OSS/BSS systems is the first in a line of systems and infrastructure projects to replace obsolete technologies and modernize Telecom Namibia’s network and demonstrates the company’s commitment to its turnaround strategy. In fact, the project OSS/BSS contract signing is major strategic achievement under Telecom’s recently approved Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) 2027, whereby strategic objective number eight, requires the company to develop and implement the OSS/BSS transformation and roadmap, under the strategic pillar of “Customer Experience”.
Telecom Namibia customers will be able to experience a more personalized and reliable service across different touchpoints, such as self-help capabilities through online, mobile, call center, and at the Teleshops. The interactive system will offer a reliable and efficient mode of payment for bills, allowing customers to electronically interrogate their invoices, payments and billing histories, and manage settlements online, via the device of their choice. Similarly, the system allows service providers to enhance customer engagement and management across all touchpoints to enhance service quality, customer convenience, personalized interactions and increased customer lifetime value. Telecom Namibia will from here onwards be able to maintain a real-time view of customer interactions and create tailored engagements that best fit our customers consumption patterns and service needs.
“Building a high-quality network and enhancing customer experience have always been a top priority for Telecom Namibia. Thus, the Company will continue to invest in infrastructure projects and strengthen its network capacity and quality to better serve its customers and the nation at large. The OSS/BSS system will enable Telecom Namibia to automate various offerings and provide quality, reliable and cost-effective high-speed services at a minimal cost to its customers,” Dr. Stanley Shanapinda, CEO of Telecom Namibia said.
“The telecommunications market is witnessing rapid developments, and the requirements and desires of our customers are increasing. Customers know value and are demanding it. We are committed to giving our customers the best possible telecommunication services through continued investment, innovations, and development. We are delighted to sign this agreement with our partner SATEC. Their extensive experience will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing our organisation’s operational and business model through Operational Efficiency and Customer Experience improvement,” he stated.
Signing the contract on behalf of SATEC, Dr. Luis Rodriguez-Ovejero, President and CEO of SATEC declared: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside Telecom Namibia in accelerating their digital transformation roadmap. We look forward to helping Telecom Namibia in optimizing their operations and automation capabilities. We value Telecom Namibia’s confidence in our technology and vast experience.”
“SATEC is also fully committed and willing to build a long-term business partnership with Telecom Namibia aimed to provide more value to its customers with enhanced products and services, increasing their loyalty and driving sustainable growth,” he stated.