Big Data Requires a Big Leap of Faith for Telcos, Heavy Reading Finds

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Big data can revolutionize the way telecom operators build, run and market their services, changing the nature of what they sell, but analysis processes must be reengineered to ensure that big data insights can be used so the organization can quickly, cost-efficiently and effectively adapt, according to the latest report from Heavy Service Provider IT Insider (www.heavyreading.com/servsoftware), a subscription research service from Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com).

Big Data: Big Cost or Big Opportunity? explores the progress telecom operators are making in terms of their efforts to exploit their data assets. It reviews the ways in which big data can be used; how operators have been using it; and explores lessons learned that fast followers should consider. It also analyzes the types of companies that are emerging/have emerged to support telecom big data projects, the products and services they provide and how they compare. It additionally includes profiles leading providers of big data solutions for the telecom sector.

For a list of companies covered in this report, http://twimgs.com/audiencedevelopment/LRHR/PDFS/spiti1013_companies.pdf

"Big data is the big topic of conversation in many a big board room around the world," says Simon Sherrington, research analyst with Heavy Reading Service Provider IT Insider and author of the report. "People are excited about the potential of big data to drive big changes in the way organizations are run, innovate and interact with customers and potential customers."

Big data will only be effective if people can trust the analytics, Sherrington says. "There is a big leap of faith required before machine-generated insights can be allowed to drive automated network changes, adaptation of traffic management policies or automated service marketing," he continues. "Telecom operators must recognize that big data offers them a very rare opportunity to revolutionize their businesses but also that have the data itself is not enough."

Key findings of Big Data: Big Cost or Big Opportunity? include the following:

• Big data solutions have the potential to transform the way telecom operators run their businesses
• Nearly every aspect of telecom operation will be impacted by big data
• Operators are still in the learning phase and have major gaps in their knowledge to fill
• Vendors are crowding in, hoping to sell databases, platforms, applications and services
• Telecom operators have a wide choice of technologies, technological and methodological approaches
• The successful operators will transform their fortunes; the successful vendors will clean up
• Operators should regard big data as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create new sources of value in their business

Big Data: Big Cost or Big Opportunity? is available as part of an annual single-user subscription (six issues) to Heavy Reading Service Provider IT Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900 (single-user license).

To subscribe, or for more information, please visit: www.heavyreading.com/servsoftware. For more information about other Heavy Reading Insider research services, please visit: www.heavyreading.com/research.

To request a free executive summary of the report, or for details on multi-user licensing options, please contact:

David Williams
Global Director of Sales, Research
Heavy Reading
858-829-8612
david.williams@ubm.com

Press/analyst contact:
Jennifer Baker
Marketing Director, Light Reading Communications Network
617-747-4110
jennifer.baker@ubm.com

About Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com)
Heavy Reading is an independent research organization offering deep analysis of emerging telecom trends to network operators, technology suppliers, and investors. Its product portfolio includes in-depth reports that address critical next-generation technology and service issues, market trackers that focus on the telecom industry's most critical technology sectors, exclusive worldwide surveys of network operator decision-makers that identify future purchasing and deployment plans, and a rich array of custom and consulting services that give clients the market intelligence needed to compete successfully in the global telecom industry. As a division of UBM Tech (tech.ubm.com), Heavy Reading contributes to the only integrated business information platform serving the global communications industry.

SOURCE Heavy Reading