Insight

Summary:

• RFT operations are fundamental for all operators building and running FTTP networks

• Computer vision is a game changing technology that can help operators enhance RFT operations

• Learn which are the immediate use cases that can benefit from computer vision

Market landscape

The race is on for UK FTTP operators to complete their network deployments, whilst juggling the challenges of build contractor shortages, network overbuild, rising cost bases and most recently consolidation, as market dynamics and insufficient scale proves unsustainable for some players.

Network deployments are often plagued with quality issues, leading to roll-out delays, additional costs and disruption for residents. In overbuild areas, delays lead to a detrimental impact on ROI when customers make the switch to full fibre using a competitor.

Once the network is ready for service (RFS), there is also an ever-increasing focus on delivering the best possible installation journey, not just to differentiate, but to better manage the cost base, accelerate time to revenue and ensure great Net Promoter Score (NPS) feedback when engaging with customers.

Enhancing RFT through computer vision

Right First Time (RFT) operations have become the key metric of choice in helping operators address these challenges. It measures whether tasks are correctly completed to the required standard in the initial attempt, without the need for rework. Whether applied to network build, customer install or resolving network faults, RFT reduces revisits, operational costs and time spent on each task.

Computer vision solutions are being deployed to help operators significantly increase RFT rates through the detection of anomalies and poor-quality operations, enabled by the automated analysis of visual data, captured and uploaded by engineers or auditors in the field. Having successfully deployed with FTTP providers in Europe, we see immediate benefits for UK alt-nets.

Openreach PIA: Managing Openreach’s PIA compliance process is a pain-point for many FTTP providers reliant on access to Openreach’s ducts, poles, and chambers to deliver and build out their own networks. Similar to other markets, adherence to strict quality standards and compliance with photographic evidence is mandatory. Using computer vision, operators are able to capture noncompliant photos or sub-standard work prior to sending to Openreach, avoiding delays and unnecessary costs that come with resubmissions or additional site visits.

Network Build Audits: As-built network auditing and documentation is often incomplete, with many operators seeking to improve their quality control processes. Computer vision can be used to ensure build standards are met, avoiding delays in handover and accelerating RFS network availability. Relevant for equipment across end-to-end fibre network, automating real time quality checks via AI, significantly reduces rework, as well as the time, effort and costs needed to complete desktop and site surveys.

Customer Installs: Issues with network availability, splicing, broadband speeds, reinstatement or even poorly mounted ONTs can result in service delays, issues or unhappy customers, where an additional site visit maybe required. Using computer vision to automate install health checks, operators can detect any corrective rework needed on the day of install, as well as guarantee the best possible install experience for their customers.

Inveniam AI – a better way to benefit from computer vision. Inveniam AI is a fully managed solution that integrates computer vision and machine learning capabilities to enhance field service operations, transforming raw data into real time actionable insights when engineers are in the field. With every stage of the computer vision life cycle covered, we build, deploy, and manage transformative computer vision solutions without our customers having to invest in their dedicated AI resources.

Get in touch or meet us at Connected Britain to explore how Inveniam can support you to enhance RFT operations.

Also in the news:
Connected Britain 2023: the keynote panel agenda
T-Mobile signs spectrum deal with Comcast worth up to $3.3 billion
Intel to sell minority stake in IMS Nanofabrication to TSMC

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.

This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Prashant Maloo, Senior Director at Prodapt

Service providers in the Connectedness industry focus on gaining a competitive edge over the competition by maintaining a premium quality of service. However, quality assurance has been a tough challenge, given the need to master the various stages of the product life cycle, such as requirements gathering, product development, product testing, support & maintenance, etc. … [visit site to read more]

What appears to be a stand-off involving operators, the regulator and the country’s finance ministry over spectrum prices looks set to continue in Mexico.

The finance ministry has rejected, apparently for the sixth time, a proposal to reduce the costs of the radio spectrum by regulator the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT).

In its plans for the for fiscal year 2024, the ministry, Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP), has rejected two proposals from the regulator: firstly that operators pay only 1% of their income for the rights to use frequency bands; and secondly that the prices of the bands be adjusted in accordance with international standards for those companies with a stake of less than 25% in the mobile market.

Instead the price of spectrum in Mexico – said to be up to 89% higher than countries like Germany, Italy, Greece and the Netherlands – is to be frozen.

According to local news resource Expansion, operator AT&T has this year returned part of its AWS and 850MHz spectrum and may yet return more. In addition 5G network rollout could be hit.

Such eventualities would be an issue for end users, of course, but would also hit government finances if, as expected, the public deficit grows by 2024.

The IFT had planned what is known as the IFT-12 tender for this year, focusing on 5G-ready spectrum. However, the finance ministry’s decision might force it to rethink its plans.

However, the IFT is not giving up just yet. According to Expansion it will appeal to the country’s legislative branch, which could still modify the final version of the spectrum rights law.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
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A Connected Britain Preview 

Connected Britain 2023 is just around the corner and, with just under a week left to go, it is only fitting that we highlight some of our amazing keynote panels, featuring some of the biggest names in the UK telecoms industry. 

Day 1 – Wednesday 20th September: 

CXO keynote panel: The state of play for the UK’s mobile market (9:35am) 

Moderated by Karen Egan, Senior Telecoms Analyst at Enders Analysis, this panel will explore the current condition of the UK mobile market in depth. 

Speakers: 

Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer, Vodafone 

Howard Watson, Chief Security & Networks Officer, BT 

Phil Siveter, Chief Executive Officer, UK & Ireland, NOKIA 

CXO keynote panel: Where is the UK fibre market headed? (12:50pm) 

Moderated by Matthew Howett, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Assembly Research, this panel will explore the latest impacts of the market, understanding the regulatory and investment context for the UK fibre sector, discuss if regulation supports or hinders competition in the market, and address the challenge of adoption.  

Speakers: 

Greg Mesch, Chief Executive Officer, Cityfibre 

Dana Tobak, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hyperoptic 

Martyn Taylor, Chief Commercial Officer, BDUK 

Clive Selley, Chief Executive Officer, Openreach 

Daren Baythorpe, Chief Executive Officer, ITS 

CXO keynote panel: Connectivity as the cornerstone of a greener future (17:40pm) 

Moderated by Miran Gilmore, Senior Consultant at STL Partners, this panel will explore how connectivity will play a key role in the country’s environmental future.

Speakers: 

Rafael Jaron, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Concept for Change 

Wolfgang Schusterr, Executive Director, Connected Places Catapult 

Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director of Governance for Data & Digitalisation, Ofgem 

Day 2 – Thursday 21st September

Understanding the connectivity needs of the UK’s nations and regions (9:30am) 

Moderated by Sophie James, Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy at TechUK, this panel will dive into the regional perspectives and priorities of the UK’s connectivity needs, addressing the challenges and opportunities of delivering better connectivity to the nation. 

Speakers: 

Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority 

Robbie McGhee, Deputy Director, Digital Connectivity, Scottish Government 

Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London, Greater London Authority 

Beyond the glass: what does it take to ensure modern broadband services and in-life experiences are truly fit for the future (10:10am) 

Our final panel of the event will be moderated by Lorne Mitchell, MD of Objective Designers, and will look at some of the following key questions: 

• What criteria will networks and broadband services of the future be judged on? And what will be demanded of them? 
• What decisions and investments today, will help networks and their ISPs stand out from the crowd tomorrow? 
• Which technologies and approaches are set to enable the best networks and why? 
• Against this backdrop, how must technology suppliers, networks operators and ISPs work together to realise net-zero/sustainability ambitions? 

Speakers: 

Michel Langlois, Chief Technical Officer, Calix 

Nigel Abraham, Customer CTO, Nokia 

David Tomalin, Group CTO, Cityfibre 

Connected Britain 2023 promises to be bigger and better than ever before. It’s not too late to join us! Check out the full agenda and secure your tickets here. 

Also in the news:
Are You Winning? Game Changers Build Faster installs With Fewer Experts
T-Mobile signs spectrum deal with Comcast worth up to $3.3 billion
Intel to sell minority stake in IMS Nanofabrication to TSMC

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.

Insight 

25 years ago, Kapil Singhal worked as a field engineer at Ericsson to deploy some of the first ever mobile networks in India. His involvement with Telcos across the region in building Mobile Switch Centers and Radio Network Services meant he very quickly learnt and understood, first-hand, the key problems field workers faced in network infrastructure and deployment projects.

From arduous paper forms and lengthy inspections that wasted key resources, to inefficiencies in data capture requiring multiple reworks, Kapil felt the difficulty and lack of support to efficiently complete his work to a high standard.

Fast-forward 15 years and Kapil has built teams across Europe to drive significant growth for companies focused on connecting the world, and has now Co-Founded Vyntelligence, a company driven by a singular focus to empower field professionals and organizations to drive efficiencies with higher data quality & analytics. Purposefully  simpler worker life with more time with friends & family and on health.

Led by his passion, Kapil has been fortunate to build a network of game-changing professionals that are excited by the same desire to build a better, safer & sustainable world. Unfortunately, change is slow. On one hand, senior stakeholders are ‘committed’ to driving change and harnessing the power of digital transformation. On the other, the field workforce continues to struggle to complete jobs effectively due to a lack of resources, an aging workforce, regulatory constraints and an increased demand for global connectivity.

Kapil mentions “The amount of time I have seen field people lose / waste time on admin, reporting, conference calls always frustrates me as current channels remain suboptimal to capture quality data; to drive better collaboration, better actions and better decisions.”

But change is not achieved, it’s driven. And part of his mission has been to travel to meet the key players across the industry and enlist them as game-changers pioneering new innovation to drive real benefits and efficiencies in a climate that needs it most.

Leaders such as Fredric Sundin, Head of Network Deployment & Connectivity UK at Vodafone recognise that “there is a shortage of people with the right skills and capabilities in the industry, and more focus and drive are needed to ensure a more flexible workforce with right upskill & cross skilling both into younger workforce and existing”.

How do we do this? BT Advisory Board and ex-CIO with over 25 years experience, Mike Young, shared that “careful communication and community engagement needs to be factored in. Particularly with where our economy is and the cost of living, we need to be very careful we don’t leave people behind. Digital inclusion is key”. On the other hand, he shares that “governments change and therefore Policies can change.  This can have a marked effect on any rollout and the same can be said for environmental concerns”.

In turning to the world of digital, then, Fredric also recommends that technology “will simplify things a lot and result in less resources needed for certain tasks. It will also enable us to do more with less in parallel to being faster and cheaper while providing a better quality with less reliance on human mistakes. Self healing, Self Audit and AI powered automation would result in a proactive approach to ensure network reliability & Safety.

We also spoke with our industry partners to get their expansive insight on the problems faced, and Harish Krishnan, EU Head of Operation Excellence at Prodapt shared that “repeated field surveys due to poor field data capture and lack of A55 field digitisation is impacting the fiber plan and design completion on-time with the right quality”.

It’s clear that the industry & its leaders recognise the problem, and are clear about the solutions too.

But Kapil’s mission spans further. It would be a great oversight to only involve senior leaders in your cause, so through Vyntelligence, Kapil has brought together various game-changers who are already pioneering change at every level.

A commitment to driving organizational change and adopting new technologies is hard, but there are many that have joined the community, driven the change with Vyntelligence and are now advocating the benefits to share with others.

Glyn Albrow, LLU Infrastructure Process Specialist at Openreach mentioned “this is a first for Openreach so is a big achievement that we can remotely audit successfully to the quality standard required.” On speaking about the Vyn SmartVideoNotes platform, he said “We were able to remove the need for any physical visits because the installer was able to audit their own work with the Vyn technology. So 100% audits are now being completed remotely.”

Whilst a well built product that provides targeted solutions to deliver happier customers, contractors & colleagues is essential to achieving these benefits, the credit lies with the game-changers that are not only recognising value, but driving it wherever possible to help others reap the benefits too.

By combining human intelligence with the power of smart, guided asynchronous video for smarter data capture, and harnessing the power of AI/ML capabilities to drive smarter insights and collaboration, a community of game-changers are able to empower themselves, field teams and customers too.

Kapil’s belief has always been that “harnessing the power of video naturally lends to effective remote supervision. It builds better customer engagement, saves field visits (carbon miles), reduces capital programme risks, accelerates productivity and creates safety & compliance as a positive culture”

It is clear now that there is an abundance of smart technologies and new innovations trying to drive change in the industry, but the factor that brings success is culture. A dedicated focus on championing change management within organizations so teams can directly see and feel the value of innovation is what brings together the game-changers. And it only comes when the need has been felt first-hand, the years have been spent building and growing, and the effort has been well placed in bringing together a community of those who recognise value and have a desire to see change.

“I am proud that I’m now able to bring together a community to help the field engineers in the same place as I once was. We’re seeing real commitment and real change leading to real benefits. The work is in progress, and the game is changing” says Kapil.

Are you Vynning?

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Vyntelligence is a market-leading enterprise intelligence platform. As the category owner, it holds an 80% market share of top UK infrastructure & telco providers including Openreach. They’ve also won the Orange Fab France Women Start Program amongst over 250 innovative global startups and have joined Tomorrow Street’s SCALEUP X, the next generation of strategic suppliers to Vodafone. Vyn leverages its patented data capture, collaboration & AI-powered analytics platform for clients to see faster, bigger, and smarter asset deployment and service delivery using fewer resources with short guided asynchronous video.

Hear more from Vyntelligence at Connected Britain on the 20 – 21 Sept at Stand 185.

Find out more at vyntelligence.com/telecoms

Also in the news:

Unleashing a connected future: Navigating the UK’s broadband landscape
German fibre coverage hits 36%
Potential ‘remedies’ for Spain’s Orange–MásMóvil merger draw in Digi