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Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.
Two FTTH expansion projects, one new IX, and some new regional optical manufacturing capacity: … [visit site to read more]
This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Prodapt’s Rajesh Khanna Jalandhar
The projected growth and demand for Fiber-to-the-Home/Building (FTTH/B) in the global market is estimated at a value of $29.7B by 2026 at a CAGR of 13.1% (Research & Market), highlighting the crucial need for efficient and commercially viable fiber planning and design. … [visit site to read more]
Telecoms infrastructure provider Helios Towers revealed a hike in revenue and profit in its H1 results and announced raises to its outlook despite high debt.
The company saw H1 2023 revenue increase by 32% year-on-year (YoY) to US$350.2 million, driven by strong organic tenancy growth, acquisitions in Malawi and Oman and contractual escalators.
Adjusted EBITDA in the half year was up 28% YoY to US$173.8m. Operating profit surged 74% to US$69.3m, driven by growth from adjusted EBITDA. However, debt stood at US$1.7 billion in the half, a 58% YoY increase.
The number of towers and cell sites increased by 3,176 year-on-year to 13,870 reflecting the organic site growth of 657 sites and the acquisition of 2,519 sites in Oman. Tenancies of sites increased by 5,334 year-on-year to 25,883 reflecting an addition of 2,317 organic tenancies and 3,017 acquired tenancies in Oman.
Helios updated its outlook, now expecting to increase tenancy to 19,00 – 2,100, under half (40%) will be new sites. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between US$355m – US$365m (prior: US$350m – US$365m). Finally, capex is forecast to be between US$180m – US$210m (prior: US$170m – US$210m).
In a statement, Helios Towers CEO Tom Greenwood said: “I am delighted with the Company’s performance in the first half of the year, which included delivering record organic tenancies and continuing improvements in customer delivery.
“The team also continues to make solid progress on our 2023 goals of acquisition integration, tenancy ratio expansion, accelerating Adjusted EBITDA growth and reducing net leverage. Accordingly, we have tightened our full-year 2023 guidance to the top end of our previously announced range and we remain committed to delivering sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”
PBX is a well known and used system in the telephony business. This Private Branch Exchange is what many different companies use for internal communication, while more advanced PBX systems can be used to relay calls with users outside the company, common for telecoms.
While this invention had greatly improved company operations for many businesses, there were still a few kinks that came along with it.
One of the biggest issues was physical space as PBX systems required substantial room to be set up in, wasting precious potential office space.
The other major issue was that on-site PBX systems simply were not proving as flexible as businesses wanted them.
This led to an innovation in the industry, a cloud based PBX system, but what exactly makes this version better than the physical one?
Arguably the first question on everyone’s minds. A cloud PBX system is simply a PBX system that does not require on-site installation because it is hosted in the cloud, or rather, on the servers of a third-party which provides the service.
It existing in the cloud provides it the many advantages of not being tethered to a physical location within the company.
Now, if you are a business owner and are looking to get a PBX system installed, you may be wondering if there is any merit to opting for the cloud-based option instead of the standard on-site installation aside from the extra space.
I am here to tell you that there is plenty as a cloud hosted PBX option allows for greater overall scalability and introduces modern options and more overall features.
With a cloud-hosted PBX solution, the burden of acquiring and setting up hardware to house a traditional on-site PBX system is completely eliminated. The process of integrating a cloud-based PBX into your business systems is remarkably straightforward, requiring practically zero setup effort. Your IT team can now breathe a sigh of relief as they no longer need to navigate the complexities of hardware installations.
All you need to ensure is that your business has a stable and reliable internet connection, which is a standard requirement for most modern businesses. Additionally, having access to IP phones is essential for making and receiving calls via the cloud-based PBX system. Once these simple prerequisites are in place, your business is ready to harness the full potential of the cloud-hosted PBX solution.
The beauty of opting for a cloud-hosted PBX system lies not only in the simplicity of integration but also in the subsequent hassle-free operation. Since there is no physical hardware installed on-site, your business will be free from the burden of additional maintenance costs. Say goodbye to worries about expensive hardware repairs or upgrades.
By relying on the service provider’s hosting infrastructure, you can rest assured that your cloud-based PBX system will operate seamlessly, with regular updates and maintenance managed by professionals.
While we have already covered the significant cost savings related to hardware expenses in the previous section, it’s essential to acknowledge that hardware costs are just one component of the overall PBX-related expenditures. Another aspect to consider is the member-based fees, which may vary depending on the chosen PBX solution.
However, it is crucial to highlight that even with these additional fees, cloud-based PBX systems remain far more cost-effective than on-site alternatives. Not only do they present lower initial costs, but they also offer substantial ongoing savings. These cost differentials arise due to the nature of cloud-based solutions, which alleviate the need for expensive on-site infrastructure and maintenance.
Due to the PBX system existing in the cloud rather than a fixed location, its options expand greatly. The integration capability of cloud-based PBX systems with a variety of telephony apps commonly used in business management leads to significant benefits.
This seamless integration vastly improves workflow and communication while reducing employee stress, resulting in enhanced efficiency and productivity.
On top of that, cloud-based PBX systems extend beyond IP phones, embracing a diverse range of communication channels, including SMS, MMS, voice and video calls, conference calls, and more.
Choosing a cloud-hosted PBX solution can significantly reduce the vulnerability to disruption and downtime for your business. The hosting server’s remote and secure location provides an added layer of protection against potential threats, ensuring the continuity of your communication services.
With the cloud-based PBX system, the risk of experiencing downtime is minimized, thanks to the robust infrastructure and redundancy measures implemented by reputable service providers. Barring highly unlikely scenarios, such as major regional outages, your communication services will remain operational without any significant interruptions.
The reliability of a cloud-hosted PBX system is a game-changer for businesses that rely heavily on uninterrupted communication. You can rest assured that your telephony services will be up and running, allowing your team to stay connected and productive, even during critical moments.
The simplicity and speed of adding a new user to a cloud-based PBX network are unparalleled compared to on-site based PBX networks. With cloud-based PBX, the process is as easy as creating a few new user accounts, and you’re all set. No need to deal with the complexities of additional hardware installations that can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
As a result, setting up new employees with their own PBX access becomes a breeze. In a fast-paced business environment, time is of the essence, and cloud-based PBX allows you to swiftly onboard new team members, ensuring they have immediate access to seamless communication tools.
The faster implementation of cloud-based PBX not only benefits new employees but also provides your existing users with a smoother experience. Upgrading or expanding your communication network becomes quick and efficient, minimizing any disruption to your business operations.
In today’s modern business landscape, the ability to work from anywhere is no longer a luxury but a necessity for maintaining productivity and flexibility.
With a cloud-based PBX, your employees are no longer tied to their office IP phones. Instead, they can take calls, participate in conference meetings, and collaborate with colleagues seamlessly from their laptops or cell phones.
Whether they are working from home, on the road, or traveling for business, the power of cloud PBX ensures that they remain fully connected to the company’s communication system.
Moreover, a cloud-based PBX system opens up new possibilities for your business. You can tap into a wider talent pool, hiring skilled professionals from different geographical areas.
If you’re seeking to establish seamless communication within your company and have future scalability in mind, a cloud PBX system is the way to go. Investing in this advanced VoIP solution can revolutionize the way your business communicates and collaborates, paving the way for enhanced productivity and growth.
While transitioning from an on-site to a cloud-based PBX may present a learning curve for older employees, the benefits far outweigh any initial challenges.
Although some cloud-based solutions may have limitations when it comes to custom security parameters, fear not! Bicom Systems has the perfect answer – PBXware. Our unified communications solution offers both cloud-based and on-site deployment options, tailored to meet your unique business requirements.
With PBXware, potential drawbacks are virtually nonexistent. Our expertise ensures a smooth transition, leaving you with a seamlessly integrated communication system that empowers your team to collaborate efficiently and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
If you would like to learn more about it, feel free to Contact Us anytime.
Your success in the telecommunications industry hinges on delivering reliable, innovative, and cost-effective solutions that exceed your clients’ expectations.
That’s why PBXware Multi-Tenant Edition from Bicom Systems is the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. Empower yourself to transform your business operations and deliver unparalleled value to your clients.
It’s the ultimate choice for UCaaS providers, and this is why:
With PBXware‘s seamless multi-tenant architecture, you can revolutionize the way you serve your clients.
Say goodbye to the complexities of separate hardware and intricate configurations. Now, you can efficiently manage and maintain a diverse customer base from a single installation.
Streamline your operations, reduce costs, and enhance your overall productivity.
No matter if you cater to small businesses or large enterprises, PBXware adapts to your growing customer base, accommodating new users and additional services without disrupting your existing operations.
Customize and tailor solutions to meet the unique needs of each client, from basic telephony to advanced unified communications. Stay ahead of the curve and deliver a complete communication ecosystem that sets you apart from the competition.
In the competitive telecommunications industry, you know that standing out from the crowd is key to success. That’s where PBXware’s multi-tenant branding options come into play, providing you with a powerful tool to take your business to the next level.
With PBXware’s multi-tenant branding solution, you have the freedom to create a fully customized and branded communication experience for your tenants or clients.
Imagine having your company’s logo, colors, and brand elements seamlessly integrated into the user interface. This white-labeling capability allows you to showcase your brand identity front and center, instilling confidence and trust among your customers.
Empower your clients with a comprehensive suite of features that enhance communication and collaboration.
With PBXware Multi-Tenant Edition, you can equip businesses with advanced tools like intelligent call routing, efficient call queuing, voicemail management, conference calling, presence management, and much more.
Streamline their internal and external communications, increase their productivity, and delight them with seamless and efficient workflows.
As an UCaaS provider, delivering cost-effective solutions is key to satisfying your clients and boosting your profitability. PBXware Multi-Tenant Edition is here to help you achieve that goal.
By eliminating the need for expensive hardware installations, you can leverage existing infrastructure and deploy virtualized instances, drastically reducing upfront investment and ongoing maintenance costs.
Offering affordable solutions to your clients not only makes you more attractive to them but also positions you as a trusted and valuable provider in the competitive market.
Assure your clients of robust security and uninterrupted performance with PBXware Multi-Tenant Edition.
Benefit from advanced security features like encryption, secure SIP signaling, and secure media transmission to safeguard their communications from unauthorized access and potential threats.
Take advantage of PBXWare’s redundancy and failover capabilities, ensuring continuous service availability and maximizing your clients’ satisfaction.
Rest easy knowing that their communications are protected and their operations are always up and running.
Effortlessly manage and monitor your client accounts with PBXware’s intuitive web-based management interface.
Gain valuable insights into your clients’ usage patterns, call statistics, and system performance through detailed reporting and analytics. With this information at your fingertips, you can proactively optimize your services, address issues promptly, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.
Make data-driven decisions that drive your success and keep your clients coming back for more.
PBXware Multi-Tenant Edition from Bicom Systems is your ultimate solution for unlocking success. Its multi-tenant architecture, scalability, comprehensive features, cost-effectiveness, security, and intuitive management tools are all designed with you in mind.
Embrace the future of reselling, elevate your offerings, attract more clients, and take your business to new heights with PBXware Multi-Tenant Edition. Seize your opportunity to thrive in the UCaaS provider landscape.
Contact us today!
A new minority investment, an analytics upgrade, and some 400G: … [visit site to read more]
As a UCaaS provider, staying ahead of the competition is crucial.
To truly elevate your business and delight your clients, you need a contact center solution that goes beyond the ordinary.
Look no further than PBXware Contact Center Edition – a game-changing solution designed to revolutionize customer service and empower your business like never before.
Exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of any successful business. With PBXware Contact Center Edition, your clients can effortlessly handle end-users and transform their experience.
The solution’s advanced features, including automatic call distribution (ACD), ensure that incoming calls are efficiently routed to the most appropriate agents, minimizing wait times and leaving your clients’ customers satisfied.
Additionally, PBXware’s real-time monitoring capabilities enable your clients to track and analyze call statistics, agent performance, and customer feedback. This invaluable data empowers them to make informed decisions, identify areas for improvement, and optimize their contact center operations.
By harnessing the power of customer engagement, your clients can build lasting relationships with their customers, leading to increased loyalty and enhanced brand reputation.
Efficiency is the key to success in the fast-paced world of customer service.
PBXware Contact Center Edition’s user interface is thoughtfully designed by industry veterans to streamline operations and empower your agents to focus on what matters most – exceptional service.
The clean and intuitive GUI enables your clients to easily manage agent queues, view real-time call status, and access vital customer information.
Moreover, the solution’s comprehensive reporting and analytics tools provide valuable insights into agent productivity, call volumes, and customer satisfaction levels. Armed with this data, your clients can optimize agent scheduling, identify peak call times, and improve first call resolution rates.
The result? Enhanced efficiency and productivity that drive bottom-line growth.
Empowering agents and supervisors is essential for a thriving contact center. PBXware Contact Center Edition offers specialized apps, such as gloCOM Agent and Supervisor editions, tailor-made to optimize worker performance.
These apps provide unique interfaces for each role, enabling agents to handle customer inquiries with speed and accuracy while supervisors have the tools to monitor and coach agents in real-time.
With features like call recording and agent whispering, supervisors can provide on-the-spot assistance to agents, leading to improved customer interactions and increased agent confidence.
By equipping your clients’ teams with personalized apps, you make it possible for them to create an environment that fosters excellence, driving customer satisfaction to new heights.
As a UCaaS provider, attracting clients and ensuring their satisfaction is essential for sustainable growth.
PBXware Contact Center Edition delivers on both fronts by offering cost-effective solutions without compromising service quality. Our online self-care systems empower end-users to personalize their settings, reducing support expenses and creating a more efficient support experience.
Furthermore, the solution’s scalability means that your clients can expand their contact center operations as their business grows, without incurring hefty additional costs. This flexibility allows them to align their expenses with actual business needs, ensuring maximum return on investment and a competitive edge in the market.
Deploying new software can be a daunting process, but not with PBXware Contact Center Edition. Our solution offers seamless integration into your clients’ existing infrastructure, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.
Whether they use CRMs or have specific IP phone brand preferences, PBXware’s compatibility ensures a smooth transition without disruption to daily operations.
With the support of our experienced team, the deployment process becomes seamless and hassle-free. Your clients can confidently embrace PBXware Contact Center Edition, knowing they have a trusted partner committed to their success.
As a UCaaS provider and reseller, your success is our priority. PBXware Contact Center Edition can be your ultimate weapon for taking your business to new heights.
Revolutionize customer service, elevate efficiency, and drive growth with a solution that goes beyond the ordinary.
To get more details on all of its amazing features, visit PBXware Contact Center Edition, or get in touch with us directly!
Shutting down 2G and 3G is ramping up across the globe as operators make way for more capacity for 4G and 5G networks. It is the inevitable cycle of progress, out with the old, and in with the new as the old saying goes.
The majority of shutdowns are occurring in Europe and North America but developing countries are also following suit as technologies and consumer habits evolve, leading to demand for higher capacity connectivity such as 5G. In Asia-Pacific, the first wave of 5G launches took place across the Philippines, South Korea, China, Australia and New Zealand. Following suit were Indonesia, India, Thailand and Malaysia.
According to ABI Research, operators in Asia-Pacific and Oceania will lead in shutting down their 2G and 3G networks. Between 2019 and 2030, the analyst company predicted 13 operators will shut down their 3G networks in Asia Pacific and Oceania.
Europe will follow with four operators, Africa and South America will shut down two apiece and one in North America, but we can assume the more developed continents rank low in this data pool as many operators there have already shut down their older networks.
As for 2G, Asia Pacific and Oceania will see nine operators ditch the relatively ancient connectivity technology by 2030. Meanwhile, three operators in Africa, North America and Europe will shut down their 2G networks, and South America will see one provider drop it.
This raises the question of why operators in Asia Pac are accelerating their 2G/3G sunsets? ABI Research VP of Asia-Pacific and advisory services Jake Saunders told Developing Telecoms that underlying technologies in developing markets in Asia-Pacific are “evolving rapidly” as have demands from subscribers, which is clear from the amount of 5G networks being launched.
Saunders noted 2G/3G devices are becoming “marginal” while 5G devices are dropping in price “rapidly”.
“Operators want to minimalize and consolidate their infrastructure assets. Also, regulators want to repurpose spectrum to enhance services. 2G sits in 900MHz and 1800MHz and 3G sits in the 2100MHz. Those frequencies are very good for propagation signals, so they’re very good for indoor and wider coverage,” said Saunders.
Canalys analyst Le Xuan Chiew agreed that operators are “trying to streamline resources” and aid in “driving digitisation” by connecting more subscribers to advanced connectivity.
But a key challenge remains – device affordability. Churning subscribers over to more expensive data plans and devices can prove a challenge for obvious reasons. Le pointed out that even devices under US$100 would represent someone’s entire budget for food, particularly in the current climate of high inflation.
“In 2022, Indonesia decided to switch off its 2G and 3G networks and we predicted smartphone uptake to grow between 10% and 15%, but this fell to 5% because of the pandemic and rising inflation.
“People became very reluctant to buy a new smartphone because of inflated prices, not only for smartphones but for all commodities. This became the main challenge for smartphone vendors and operators to tackle, in their efforts to chase growth,” said Le.
“In the UK and Singapore, people typically go on a contract plan, which allows access to some fancy handsets costing around $1,500 per device. That cost can be spread over a two-year contract, and that makes it viable, » added Saunders.
“But in emerging markets, most people will buy their device upfront, get a hand-me-down or buy a second-hand phone. The grey market is quite a big part of how phones from the West, or developed markets such as Hong Kong, funnel their way down into Southeast Asia and India. This is how advanced replacement devices make their way to developing markets, that’s what will drive replacement rates in emerging markets and different regions.”
Streamlining resources
It also comes down to streamlining resources as Saunders pointed out, and Le expanded on this, pointing out that mergers and acquisitions have become a way for operators to combat rising prices by deploying expensive infrastructure.
In Thailand, True and Dtac finally completed their drawn-out and controversial merger. By doing so they overcame the challenge of limited resources by sharing infrastructure. This enables them to shut off 3G to open up the chance to drive subscribers from more advanced 5G plans.
“I would think that it’s a step in the right direction for the telcos to drive digitalization in the developing economy,” said Le.
Shutting down legacy networks in the West stirred concerns as they served emergency services and militaries. For developing nations in the Asia-Pacific, 2G and 3G serve as the only avenue to connect to the modern world from the remotest locations.
It is in these remote locations where Asia’s rich plethora of cultures are preserved staunchly, even against the fast-rising tide of globalisation and its key tool – connectivity.
“Locals were actually more reluctant to stop using 3G because they feared their cultural belief would decline as everyone became glued to their smartphone devices. There was some sort of resistance from local tribes,” said Le.
Saunders added there are around 800 million people who still live in areas that do not have decent coverage, and operators and regulators have a duty to ensure when 2G/3G is switched off “to make sure everyone is still being brought along on to the next wave of connectivity.”
Saunders predicted 4G will continue serving a vital role in the Asia-Pacific for the next seven years, even until 2040 depending on how developed a country is and the legislation put in place to spur the telecoms sector.
The march of progress continues despite the current turbulent landscape of global economics. Asia-Pacific is a region that will look starkly different in 2030 and that will no doubt be fuelled by the next wave of connectivity, at the cost of 2G and 3G.
It was the launch of the first iPhone in 2007 alongside 3G, which ushered in a golden age for the telecoms sector, as they hand in hand showed how people can be better connected and even more productive than before, all thanks to airwaves and a smartphone.
A better-connected world is a more developed world, as many economists have pointed out, the way in which countries have opened themselves to each other has pulled many out of poverty and opened more doors of opportunity. One can only hope this will continue to occur as 2G/3G networks sink below their horizons.
