17 August 2023
Espoo, Finland – Communications service providers (CSPs) face a host
of barriers, such as accessing high-quality data, that impede their
ability to effectively deploy AI which could improve network and service
operations, according to new research commissioned by Nokia and
conducted by Analysys Mason.
“CSPs are unable to access high-quality data sets (which will enable
them to make more accurate decisions) because they are using legacy
systems with proprietary interfaces. This will restrict how quickly they
can integrate AI into their networks,” according to the research,
which is based on responses from 84 CSPs surveyed globally. Almost 50
percent of Tier-1 CSPs ranked data collection as the most challenging
stage of the telco AI use case development cycle.
Further, the research found that only six percent of CSPs surveyed
believe they are at the most-advanced level of automation, or zero-touch
automation, which relies on AI and machine learning (ML) algorithms to
manage and improve network operations. The high-quality data issue is
also impacting CSPs’ ability to retain AI talent.
Still, 87 percent of CSPs have started to implement AI into their
network operations, either as proof of concepts or into production; with
57 percent saying they have deployed telco AI use cases to the point of
production.
CSP respondents said they believe AI will help improve network service
quality, top-line growth, customer experience, and energy optimisation
to meet their sustainability goals.
The research said CSPs should evaluate their telco AI implementation
strategies and develop a clear roadmap for AI implementation to overcome
their data challenge and other impediments, such as an inability to
scale AI use case deployments. The report can be found here [1].
Adaora Okeleke, Principal Analyst, at Analysys Mason said: “CSPs must
transition to more-autonomous operations if they are to manage networks
more efficiently and deliver on their main business priorities. But as
this research demonstrates, accessing high-quality data remains a
critical obstacle to deploying telco AI within their networks. They need
to really examine their AI implementation strategies to work around this
data quality issue.”
Andrew Burrell, Head of Business Applications Marketing, Cloud and
Network Services at Nokia, said: “AI has a crucial role in driving
step changes in network performance, including cutting carbon
footprints. CSPs are aware of the challenges of more deeply embedding AI
into their operations and, as this research points out, the steps they
can take to positively alter that situation, including building the
right ecosystem of vendor partners with the right skillsets that can
better cater to their network needs.”
