IBM Services Provider M7 Managed Services Explores the Future of the 4G Network

LONDON, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

M7 Managed Services Ltd - http://www.m7ms.co.uk/ - an IBM services provider, has today released expert insight for Communication Service Providers (CSPs) looking to embrace LTE and monetise the 4G network. CSPs are keen to avoid the common mistakes made with 3G, and with each investing an estimated £5 billion in the UK's latest network, they are understandably keen to see a return on their investment.

Existing 3G network monitoring is creaking under the strain of huge amounts of data and ageing technology - if 4G is to be successful, CSPs need to take a far more rigorous approach. They need to:

• Extract data from 4G network traffic to improve insight into network health and to ensure the quality and security of services.
• Consider the longer term value of this data to provide new advertising and marketing opportunities.
• Exploit data usage to move beyond flat rate data plans into more complex tariffs.

To download the M7 eBook that explore how operators can monetise their LTE/4G networks, please click here.

Neil Cornish, Managing Director at M7 Managed Services Ltd, explains, "According to research analysts Informa, despite an ever growing demand for connected devices and services, we are not paying the Content Service Providers any more money. Differentiation has become more and more difficult with price becoming the key factor. The 4G network offers a chance for differentiation and in this market first mover advantage is essential. Quality of Service, network availability and corporate specific data mining will become critical components in service differentiation - services which, as an IBM services provider, M7 can offer. Many customers are now moving to shorter contracts. They are expecting service levels and offerings to improve in shorter timescales, so they don't want to be tied in to a long term agreement. How does the CSP keep these customers from moving at the end of a shortening contract life?"

The benefits of the 4G network will be experienced by both consumers and businesses for the next decade and will, without doubt, contribute to a significant increase in the number of mobile devices. As an IBM services provider, M7 is able to provide support to CSPs looking to gain a first mover advantage.

Cornish continues, "The CSP that can gain swift insight into both network performance and customer behaviour can achieve rapid market differentiation that will create higher customer satisfaction and drive essential revenue generation."

Software developers and the industry as a whole are desperately seeking the killer Application or Service for 4G. Meanwhile the CSPs are looking for the key to fast-track adoption, revenue generation and gaining rapid market presence. M7 Managed Services asserts that flexibility is the key, being able to take on and roll out new applications and services before competitors. To do this new Opex-based business models will be required that enable a flexible 'plug and play' network, making use of cloud-based solutions where appropriate, if the 4G CSPs are to deploy the systems that will allow them to gain a sustainable competitive advantage.

About M7 Managed Services

Headquartered in Cardiff, M7 is an IBM services provider that provides simple solutions to complex business problems. M7 combines managed services, technical capability around IBM infrastructure and financing to meet organisations' IT requirements in innovative and cost-effective ways.

Partnering with ISVs under the IBM worldwide Industry Program (ISI), M7 delivers both hosted and customer owned solutions to a global Telecommunications and Media market. M7 Managed Services allows organisations to just get on with their day-to-day business and let someone else manage the IT.

M7 will:

• Host applications in the M7 data centres
• Provide a high speed managed network for customers to access these applications, wherever they are
• Manage Service Levels, Service Desk and Change Management
• Build in the levels of backup , business continuity and disaster recovery required
• Stage, test and provide proof of concept facilities prior to enterprise roll outs
• Work with ISVs and Systems integrators to optimize their solutions on IBM Platforms

M7 already hosts several ERP and MRP solutions, including Baan, SyteLine and Microsoft Dynamics on a shared, virtual platform. Cross industry applications such as Microsoft Exchange, Office, Sun Financials and SharePoint are also hosted along with bespoke customer applications and specialist vertical applications including a mobile CCTV application.

As an IBM services provider, M7 will be one of the first Managed Services companies in the UK to offer solutions on IBM's new Pure Systems Platform. This next generation, expert system will also underpin many of the new application environments for our ISV Partners rolling out future solutions into the global Telecommunications and Media sectors.

Press contact details:

Samantha Turpin
itpr
+44(0)1932-578-800
info@itpr.co.uk