A formula for observability that

drives OSS/BSS transformation for

Telco
November 30, 2023Fatih E. Nar, Volker Tegtmeyer, Ather Chaudhry,
Beatriz Ortega

The telecommunication industry is constantly transforming, increasing

operational complexity. Cloud-native network functions (CNFs),
decentralization of networks and migrating to the cloud have provided
new capabilities that help service providers better compete. But with the
acceleration of new technologies, it's important that service providers
implement operations and systems that properly manage and maintain a
high quality of service.

This is why observability is crucial for service providers to better maintain

network efficiency, security and reliability. It enables service providers to
proactively manage and optimize infrastructure, leading to improved
performance, reduced downtime and enhanced customer satisfaction.

This article explores the value of combining the critical aspects of V^3
(Volume, Velocity and Variety) and A^3 (Availability, Accessibility and
Affordability) within the realm of observability in complex service provider
networks, particularly focusing on OSS/BSS (Operational/Business
Support Systems) improvements.

V^3 are the key dimensions that drive the effectiveness of

observability in service provider networks. These dimensions are
crucial for comprehensively understanding and optimizing complex
telco systems and applications.
Simultaneously, we explore the A^3 principles, which are integral for
efficient data management and governance in a multi-cloud
infrastructure.
Figure 1: Observe - data - act driving the AIOps revolution

The synergy between V^3 and A^3 principles is paramount in modern

telco operations, where leveraging large-scale, diverse data in a cost-
effective and accessible manner is essential for staying competitive and
maintaining optimal network performance and reliability. Such a data stack
would be foundational to drive intelligent, automated workflows such as
issue remediation, smart-scaling, predictive maintenance and service
assurance, and more, such as accelerating the data-driven business (ie
AIOPs revolution, see Figure 1).

Observability for OSS/BSS

At its essence, observability in telecommunications and OSS/BSS goes
beyond traditional monitoring. It is a holistic approach to understanding
and managing complex telecommunication systems and stacks. This
approach encompasses the comprehensive collection and analysis of
data across multiple dimensions to gain deep insights into these systems'
current state, performance, functionality, security and life cycle.
Observability for OSS/BSS has characteristics that go beyond traditional
monitoring, such as:

Multidimensional data collection: observability is not just about

gathering basic operational data; it involves collecting a wide range of
metrics, events, logs and traces (MELT). This multidimensional data
collection provides a 360-degree view of the system (passive
outlook), allowing for a clearer understanding of how different
components interact and impact overall performance and
 functionality.
Real-time analysis, reactive data for proactive management: by
analyzing observability data in real-time, telecommunications
operators can better understand and manage their systems. This
approach goes beyond reactive troubleshooting in that it enables
proactive prediction of potential issues and system performance
optimization.
Advanced analytics and actionable insights: observability data is
the bedrock upon which advanced analytical tools operate.
Telecommunications operators can transform raw data into
actionable insights by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine
learning (AI/ML) algorithms. These insights guide strategic decisions
related to network optimization, customer experience enhancement
and resource allocation that bring OSS/BSS to ultimate capacity and
capability, enabling business continuity through service level
agreements (SLA).

Figure 2: OSS/BSS Stages with Observability

Lifecycle management and continuous improvement:

Observability plays a critical role in the lifecycle management of
telecommunication systems. Operators can make informed decisions
about upgrades, maintenance, scalability and sustainability by
continuously monitoring and analyzing system data. This ongoing
process helps make sure that systems are stable and are able to
evolve to meet changing demands and technological advancements.
Security insights: In an era where cybersecurity is paramount,
 observability provides vital real-time insights into telecommunication
systems. By continuously monitoring data for anomalies, suspicious
behavior and potential threats, observability becomes vital in the
early detection and mitigation of security incidents.

The impact of V^3

V^3 (Volume, Velocity and Variety) encapsulates the essential
characteristics of observability data in the telecommunications industry.

Figure 3: Explanation of V^3

Volume: The scale of data

Immense data streams: The service provider industry generates and

processes vast quantities of data. This encompasses a wide
spectrum from transactional data, such as call logs and billing
records, to diverse sensor outputs from network infrastructure and
valuable customer interaction data from multiple channels.
Strategic utilization: Effectively managing this colossal volume of data
is key for achieving strategic objectives such as network optimization,
targeted marketing and predictive maintenance. For instance,
analyzing patterns in data generated from cell towers can lead to
network improvements and a better customer experience.

Velocity: The pace of data

Rapid data generation and processing: In today's digital era, the

 velocity with which data is produced and needs to be processed in
telecommunications is astonishing. The sector requires capabilities
for handling data at high speed, including real-time or near-real-time
processing for operational agility.
Operational impact: High-velocity data handling facilitates
instantaneous responses to network challenges, enables real-time
customer interaction and support and permits dynamic allocation of
resources. Example use cases are adopting real-time analytics for
dynamic pricing strategies or swift identification and resolution of
network disruptions.

Variety: The diversity of data

Multifaceted data types: Service providers encounter a broad

spectrum of data types, ranging from structured data, such as
customer information and billing details, to unstructured formats
such as social media interactions, emails and transcripts from
customer service calls.
Analytical advantage: The ability to process and analyze this diverse
data landscape is crucial. It enhances the customer experience,
informs decision-making and fosters the development of innovative
services and products.

Solving today’s data platform challenges

Governance: Data management complexity

Decentralized data landscape: The data in the telecommunication

networks is often dispersed across various locations and managed by
different teams. Establishing effective governance and achieving a
coherent, comprehensive dataset can be challenging due to these
organizational and geographical complexities.
Strategic alignment: Effective data governance enables the alignment
of people, processes and technology to help make sure that the right
data is collected, managed and utilized while maintaining its integrity
and compliance with regulatory standards.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) / Avoiding the Bias: Data quality
assurance

Filtering essential data: With the high velocity of data,

telecommunications systems often encounter "noise"–irrelevant or
erroneous data elements. Identifying and filtering out these elements
is crucial for maintaining data quality.
Enhancing data reliability: Implementing robust mechanisms to
detect and address invalid or biased data entries helps make sure
that reliable, actionable data is used for decision-making and
analytics.

Correlation: Creating a unified data perspective

Linking related data: In the vast pool of telco data, identifying and
correlating related datasets is essential but challenging. It enables
the creation of a comprehensive, interconnected data mesh that
supports both operational and business teams.
Driving business insights: Observability can correlate data sets that
serve as a foundation for developing new business insights, aiding in
identifying emerging trends and opportunities and supporting
strategic decisions to tap into new revenue streams.

The effect of A^3

A^3 (Availability, Accessibility and Affordability) represents key
attributes of observability data that are vital for achieving optimal price
performance and ease of use in telecommunications.
Figure 4: Explanation of A^3

Availability: Providing constant data presence

Critical role in operations: In the telco industry, the continuous

availability of data is not just a convenience but a necessity. This
underlines the importance of making sure that data is readily
available for various purposes, including analysis, decision-making
and operational management.
Resilience in adverse scenarios: Data availability supports
uninterrupted service and operational continuity. This is especially
important in disaster recovery or during peak demand periods.
Implementing robust data backup and recovery systems is crucial for
maintaining this continuous availability.

Accessibility: Streamlining data reach/Can-do

Ease of access across the organization: Accessibility entails making

sure that data is easily retrievable by authorized personnel,
irrespective of their department or geographical location. This
includes facilitating seamless integration and compatibility with
diverse analytical tools and platforms.
Enhancing collaboration and efficiency: By breaking down data silos
and providing a unified view of data, telco operators can enhance
collaboration across teams, leading to more efficient decision-making
and problem-solving.
Affordability: Balancing costs with value/able-to-have

Cost-effective data management: With the sheer volume of data

handled in the telecommunications industry, managing the costs
associated with data storage, processing and analysis is a significant
challenge. Developing affordable solutions is essential to maintain
profitability while capitalizing on the advantages of big data analytics.
Optimizing data storage strategies: Implementing tiered data storage
solutions allows categorizing data into hot, warm and cold storage
based on access frequency and importance, which can be used as a
key strategy in balancing cost and accessibility.

Solving today’s data cost and governance challenges:

Cost management: Economizing data storage

Balancing storage types: The cost implications of storing large

volumes of data, particularly when dealing with petabyte-scale
datasets, can be substantial. Employing a strategic mix of storage
solutions — from on-premises to cloud-based and from hot to cold
storage — is complex but essential to manage costs effectively.
Leveraging emerging technologies: Innovations in data storage
technologies, such as compression algorithms and efficient data
deduplication methods, offer new opportunities to reduce storage
requirements and costs.

Navigating regulations: Compliance and data sovereignty

Adhering to regulatory standards: Telecommunications is a highly

regulated industry with stringent data handling and privacy
requirements. Regulations often dictate where and how data can be
stored and accessed. Complying with geo-specific and industry-
specific regulations is crucial for lawful operations and business
continuity.

The Formula: V^3 x A^3 -> AIOps revolution

Merging the principles of V^3 with A^3 results in a robust and dynamic
framework for telecommunications operations. This fusion creates a very
beneficial environment for the implementation of artificial intelligence for
IT operations (AIOps) and integration for enhanced operations, such as:

Data-rich environment: By harnessing the vast volumes (Volume),

rapid throughput (Velocity) and diverse types (Variety) of data,
telecommunications systems become data powerhouses. This rich
data environment is crucial for in-depth analytics and informed
decision-making.
Optimized data management: The principles of continuous data
availability, seamless accessibility and strategic affordability help
make sure that this wealth of data is managed efficiently, effectively
and cost-consciously. This optimized data management is key for
agile and responsive operations.
Foundation for AI implementation: The combination of V^3 and
A^3 sets the stage for a more impactful application of AI
technologies. With a comprehensive and well-managed data
infrastructure, AI algorithms can be effectively applied to optimize
automation and operations, enhance decision-making and predict
future trends and potential issues.
Elevating OSS to AIOps: In this enhanced environment, operational
support systems can evolve into intelligent platforms where AI-driven
insights lead to proactive and predictive operations, transforming
how telecommunications networks are managed and optimized.

AIOps necessitates real-time capabilities throughout the process,

encompassing the discovery phase and predictive analysis and executing
tasks associated with these analyses, such as remediation, changes or
updates. In this context, the data-driven methodologies align with the
automation journey, aiming to minimize operational time for issue
resolution, alerts, remediation and proactive customer configurations.

Conclusion
The enablement and empowerment that V^3 x A^3 brings to observability
create better OSS/BSS solutions that can pave the way for advanced
AIOps in the telecommunications industry. This integration fosters a richer
data environment and optimized data management essential for AI-driven
telco operations.

Central to this transformation is the power of open source. Open-source

solutions bring innovation, flexibility, cost-effectiveness and enhanced
security to telco observability, which is crucial for addressing the unique
challenges of V^3 x A^3 (you can read more on open-source observability
data projects here). Open source's collaborative and community-driven
nature help accelerate technological advancements and customization,
aligning with the economic and operational goals of modern, multivendor
telco networks and systems.

In essence, the synergy of V^3, A^3 and open-source solutions marks a

new era in telecommunications. This era is defined by intelligent, data-
driven, adaptable OSS platforms, poised to meet the dynamic demands of
the telco industry and its customers, demonstrating that telecom
observability's future is reactive but predictive and proactive, driven by
the collaborative and innovative spirit of open source.

Remember that the algorithms can only take you as far

and as much as your data fuels.

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