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Moflix provide a white label platform for digital services, that claims to win the new generation of customers – the digital natives – while differentiating from the competition and radically simplifying customer interactions. Their bold claim for telecom operators is “Be Digital in 100 Days”. They will be exhibiting in the Startup Village at the Total Telecom Congress in London this November.
Tell us about your start up
Moflix delivers a future-ready “Telco-in-an-App” solution for Operators and MVNOs. It’s a cloud-native, full end-to-end digital proposition in a lean operating model that can be integrated easily into your existing operation within 100 days.
Your customers can sign up and onboard themselves in minutes and manage their entire relationship with you through an intuitive mobile app. The whole service is managed by Moflix – so you don’t have to disrupt your existing IT roadmap to see the impact on your KPIs in just a few months.
We are proud of our start up already receiving industry allocates with McKinsey & Co’s “A Battle Plan for Telco’s Digital-Attacker Brands” report featuring the Moflix solution for Sunrise (yallo swype in Switzerland) as a best industry practice and our recent win of the “Consumer eSIM Solution of the Year” award with ICE Norway for NiceMobil.
What is your USP?
Moflix provides TelcoTech solutions that digitalize and automate traditional connectivity services and drive wide-scale adoption of digital lifestyle and financial services.
Our Digital Operator in an App solution delivers a sustainable All Digital experience to end-users
Through digital ID verification, we enable Telcos to leverage their Connectivity relationship to accelerate the adoption of services enabled by Web3 – including access to a digital service marketplace and to monetize their existing assets by tapping into new revenue streams.
What is your relationship with the telecom sector?
Our main customers are Telco Operators and MVNOs.
How have you got to your current stage of development?
We started with investments from our founders. Then continued bootstrapping with two initial operator customers.
Why did you establish the business?
Moflix is the brainchild of an international group of telco veterans who wanted to create game-changing digital solutions designed to fix the most critical challenges that telecom operators face and transform how they do business for digital success today and in the future.
It was clear from conception that the telecom market in Europe needs and wants a light-weight, fully digital, simplified BSS replacement solution.
Who inspired you?
Marc Degen as founder is a motivational mentor for our company. He is an experienced entrepreneur with an unquenchable creative urge and a passion for people and business ventures with multiple exits.
As Board Member, Founder and Co-founder of various businesses in the fields of Digital Services, Telecommunications, and Web3, he focuses on growing ideas into profitable businesses by implementing digital services and maximising opportunities for revenue growth. Marc Degen was consecutively named Digital Shaper by Bilanz Magazine in 2018 and 2019 and won the Digital Innovation of the Year Award by SwissICT in 2018 with modum.io for their Blockchain and ML-based pharma supply chain monitoring solution.
Marc is currently supporting digital scaleups with their technology roadmap, marketing positioning, go-to-market strategies and investment & financial planning in his own venture studio.
We want to make onboarding and use of our products as intuitive, fast, and easy as Netflix, so we are inspired by disruptive digital start ups like Uber, Revolut, and WhatsApp as well as best practices from other brands that pivoted to better serve digital.
What does the future hold for your business
We would like to continue the “Moflix Momentum” and see rapid growth worldwide outside of our initial European focus.
COMPANY CV
HEADQUARTERS: Zurich, Switzerland and Tampere, Finland
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 15
LAST FUNDING TYPE: Pre-Seed (Founders investment)
URL: http://www.moflixgroup.com
FOUNDERS:
Founder, Marc Degen
Moflix CEO, Ryan Gold
MEET MOFLIX AT THE TOTAL TELECOM CONGRESS: London, 1-2 November 2022. Get your pass at www.totaltele.com/congress
Related content: more Startup Stories
This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Waheed Adam, Mobile Ecosystem Forum
Mobile industry insights company Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) predicts that Africa will have 120 million new mobile subscribers by 2025, taking the total number of subscribers to 615 million (50 per cent of the region’s population). While the continent as a whole has been behind the technology adoption curve, the advent of cheap mobile devices has allowed Africans to transition straight into a mobile-first economy. … [visit site to read more]
Virtualization is a hot topic in the telecommunications industry. With server virtualization, companies can reduce their hardware requirements, simplify and increase system management capabilities by consolidating multiple physical servers into one piece of equipment, raise their uptime, availability, and performance levels and increase data center efficiency.
Bicom Systems’ server virtualization platform is dedicated to hosting telephony and Unified Communications, but SERVERware is continually evolving and adding new features. Version 4.3 goes beyond that, and with some freshly introduced advanced features and options, it will make managing your VPSs more straightforward and efficient.
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We’re thrilled to announce that SERVERware 4.3 now supports OCI images.
OCI (Open Container Initiative) Image is an open-source solution for managing Docker images and containers. OCI Image allows you to build, tag, push and store your container images in a standard way on top of public image registries, such as Docker Hub, GitLab Container Registry, or private ones.
This will enable our users to create system, service, or application templates on their own. With OCI Images support, users are not limited to built-in templates. Instead, they will have the option to choose and download desired images from an OCI image repository, such as Docker Hub.
Therefore, when creating a new VPS, users can choose between built-in and OCI image templates created by themselves. Downloading and running OCI templates has never been easier.
What does this mean for SERVERware? Administrators now have easy access to tens of thousands of applications they may need to deploy on SERVERware. They can build and ship any additional services. It could be a simple web page, service integration with PBXware, etc.
It is now possible to open a dedicated terminal session called TTY (TeleType), thus accessing a VPS console through the SERVERware GUI. This is an internal SERVERware service, meaning it does not depend on the status of services in the VPS. With a single click, SERVERware administrators can open a new terminal session for a dedicated VPS with secure access to the VPS console.
The TTY session will provide quick and easy access to VPS troubleshooting.
The number of active sessions is now limited to prevent idle sessions from filling system logs. With an easy setup, SERVERware administrators can prevent the system from being flooded with numerous obsolete or unnecessary GUI sessions.
As the newest addition to DNS Zones in SERVERware 4.3, zone transfers have been added for an even easier DNS configuration in the case of multiple sites and Geo-redundancy. DNS zones of the primary and secondary sites will resolve the same A and AAAA records.
This way, DNS redundancy for the SERVERware zone is assured. Furthermore, switching VPS locations won’t confuse the clients.
You can learn more about Geo-redundancy and its benefits here.
In addition to existing third-party monitoring tools, MMonit support has been integrated. A new MMonit option in the ‘Add Site Test’ dropdown list is added for easier setup of SERVERware Site monitoring with this third-party monitoring tool. It’s easy, and it’s a click away.
We have chosen to redesign the Geo-Redundancy bulk takeover page in order to improve the user experience by placing the “Bulk Takeover Templates” list in the main visible tab. As a result, the SERVERware administrator has the ability to take immediate action as needed. Additionally, a new button labeled “START/EDIT” is accessible next to each listed template. This will make the entire takeover process less stressful.
Choosing the correct SERVERware edition for your organization is an important decision that deserves the consultancy we provide. It is a complex product that offers many features and benefits. Bicom Systems’ virtualization platform is available in Standalone, Mirror, and Cluster editions, fulfilling different business needs and cases.
When it comes SERVERware versions, there is no doubt to choose the latest one. You can learn more about SERVERware 4.3 release in detail by choosing SERVERware 4.3 from the drop-down menu in our Downloads section.
Server virtualization efficiently consolidates your existing resources while allowing for high availability and scalability levels. Instead of running multiple physical servers, communications can be virtualized, allowing you to run multiple operating systems on one physical machine.
UCaaS enables businesses to stay competitive by connecting people, data, and devices seamlessly. It enables real-time collaboration from a single end-to-end platform, improving employee productivity and fostering innovation across the organization.
If you are considering purchasing high-quality communications software tailored to the telecom service you provide, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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This week, reports suggest that the QIA has entered into discussions with state-run Telecom Egypt to acquire 20% of the latter’s 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt.
The discussions are wider investment by QIA in undisclosed assets owned by the Egyptian state, with a total combined value of around $2.5 billion.
Vodafone Egypt is the largest mobile operator in Egypt with a market share of roughly 43%. Vodafone Group owns a 55% stake in the business, with the remainder held by Telecom Egypt. Telecom Egypt, in turn, is 80% owned by the Egyptian government.
A formal offer has yet to be made, but sources suggest that an agreement could be reached by the end of the year.
Rumours that the QIA was negotiating with Telecom Egypt first began to circulate last month, but the Egyptian operator was quick to deny that discussions were taking place.
The stake sale, if it is agreed, will be the latest step in the thawing of Qatar and Egypt’s frosty relationship. Back in 2017, Egypt, alongside Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, severed diplomatic ties with Qatar due to the latter’s alleged support of terrorist organisations.
Money talks, however, and Qatari investments have continued to trickle into Egypt in the past five years. The QIA, for example, already has various investments in Egypt, much of which is centred around the country’s vital tourist trade, which has been heavily impacted first by the pandemic and today by the war in Ukraine.
In closely related news, Vodafone Group itself currently in the process of selling its 55% stake in Vodafone Egypt to Vodacom Group, with the deal being valued at roughly $2.7 billion.
The deal’s journey through the regulatory process in South Africa, however, is taking some time. Recent reports suggest that the deal has received the green light from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority but is still awaiting approval from the Financial Supervision Department of the Reserve Bank of South Africa.
Also in the news:
The missing 3.2 billion…
New EXA investment serves customers across the Iberian peninsula
Startup stories: Facing up to cybersecurity risks
On the metro front, some FTTH news, an IX partnership, and a data center expansion project: … [visit site to read more]
![Porter's-5-Forces-[LauraKylePhotography]](https://i2.wp.com/blog.bicomsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Porters-5-Forces-LauraKylePhotography.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1)
Similar to the 4Ps of Marketing, anyone who has taken an introductory business course has probably heard about Porter’s 5 Forces. Porter’s 5 Forces is a model companies use to identify the competitiveness of a particular industry. And just like the Ps in the Marketing Mix, you can revisit the five forces any time your company grows or the product suite changes.
This article will cover the five forces, share an example, and explore why those in the UC industry should try out this model.
As mentioned above, Porter’s 5 Forces cover five competitive forces that shape every industry. The concept was developed in 1979 by Michael Porter to assess and evaluate a business’s competitive strength and position in its specific sector.
Not only does the framework provide peace of mind regarding competition, but it also considers your suppliers and potential substitutions from end users.
When you understand the industry you are entering or actively working in, you can better position yourself, your brand, and your product amongst competitors. Each force has benefits to help you find your competitive advantage. Let’s explore them!
A new entrant is a company that produces a competing product for the first time. How likely would it be for a new company to enter the market? The threat would be low if you are in a specific industry requiring much knowledge and research. However, the threat would be high if the product is simple, like developing dog toys.
The threat of new entrants in the UC market is moderate. We measure the threat as moderate because new companies must provide innovative solutions aligned with industry standards. However, they can easily partner with established players that are the original software manufacturers of the products.
As a UC Reseller, think of how easy it is to enter the industry. It requires a niche expertise; however, not manufacturing your products is one significant benefit to reselling. By partnering with an experienced provider, like Bicom Systems, resellers avoid starting their business at square one. They also have the tools to meet the demands of many different customers across different industries.
Not to mention, trusted providers will support their resellers by providing branded marketing material, training courses, and case studies. Stay with a provider who is constantly updating their solutions and staying innovative.
Regarding unified communications, we can consider the threat of substitutes in two ways. One is the likelihood that your customers will switch away from your product. Or two, that they move away from UC services entirely.
The threat of substitutes is low when considering option two because no alternative services can substitute UC. On the other hand, with option one and your customers, the threat of substitutes is moderate.
Customers have the ability to switch to a new provider, but switching providers is not like changing laundry detergent. It takes time to transfer clients from one hosted solution to another. Many factors come into play when considering switching, such as price, features, customer service, etc.
To ensure your customers do not search for substitutes, look at our Bicom Systems Tips!
The bargaining power of suppliers depends on how much power and control a company’s supplier has over price and quality. Could the supplier raise their prices? Or reduce the quality of their services? Another factor to consider when determining this force is the number of suppliers a company can pick. The fewer suppliers there are, the more power they hold. Businesses are better positioned when there are many suppliers to choose from.
When we consider the bargaining power of suppliers, think of factors like:
In the technology industry, there is an unspoken rule that players must stay up to date with industry standards. On top of that, in the UC industry, very few vendors have their own cloud hosting. As a result of these two points, and keeping in mind UC Resellers are considering software manufacturers as suppliers, the bargaining power of suppliers is low.
Ensure you partner with well-established providers in the industry. When your provider is credible, you can trust they will not make dramatic changes with their support, prices, or quality of solutions.
On the other end of suppliers, we have buyers. This force allows customers to add pressure on providers and demand better prices and quality of products. The number of competitors in an industry that offers identical products increases the buyer’s bargaining power. It is best practice to consider the bargaining power of buyers to be high when there are many options.
As distributors in the UC industry, there are dozens of vendors that sell identical products at comparable prices. Since buyers have several options to choose from similar services, the bargaining power in the UC market is high. Customers are now searching for the best price, unique features, and ease of switching to another vendor.
A few strategies to consider to help you deliver unique value to your customers are:
Last, we examine competitive rivalry in the marketplace. This force is determined by the number and size of existing competitors in the industry. Think of it as the pressure market players put on each other.
Rivalry is considered high when many competitors are equal in size, power, and price. We determine competitive rivalry is high in the UC industry because competitors are not much different.
It is high because various industries introduce new technology and trends daily, directly increasing competition. Not to mention the similarities between major vendors in technology. As a US Reseller, protect yourself by having a competitive advantage. Position yourself as favorable, or the superior business, and you will stand out against competitors. Showcase your highly knowledgeable sales staff, unbeatable prices, or early access to new technology.
Now that you learned the basics of the model, you understand how vital identifying competitive forces are for long-term planning. Working through the five points is useful for examining your current competitive position and ability to move into other areas. The best part is that the forces can be revisited at any time, just like the Marketing Mix.
Learn why you should be a add title=”Become a UC Reseller” UCaaS Reseller and join this ever-growing, million-dollar industry by becoming a Bicom Systems partner today.
Let’s Connect.
📞 +1 (647) 313 1515
📧 sales@bicomsystems.com
💻 www.bicomsystems.com/contact-us
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Ahead of Total Telecom Congress 2022, we caught up with Will Townsend, Vice President & Principal Analyst – Networking & Security Practices at Moor Insights and Strategy to hear his views on these business critical topics.
Can you tell us about your role at your Moor Insights Strategy?
I manage the networking and security practices for our firm and am considered an expert on 5G as a featured Forbes contributor and through other media outlets such as NPR Marketplace, CNBC and the Wall Street Journal.
From your perspective, how do telcos need to evolve to remain competitive in the modern connectivity ecosystem?
Find new ways to monetize their significant investments in next generation telco networks with an emphasis on enterprise service delivery. They must also embrace cloud native and virtualized platforms for scale and agility.
Given your experience working with major players in the industry – what, in your opinion, is the key challenge faced by telcos today?
Innovative service delivery for consumers and enterprises while managing opex and capex pressures and an ever expanding threat surface resulting from the continual disaggregation of network infrastructure.
You will be moderating a panel on O-RAN, the opportunities it can offer the industry and addressing barriers for successful O-RAN deployment. What’s your own view on this? What’s the key opportunity telcos should be looking at when it comes to O-RAN?
With disaggregation comes complexity so managing the integration while ensuring the highest levels of security, performance and resiliency over traditional RAN architectures.
What are you looking forward to at Total Telecom Congress next month?
Returning to an in-person event and the opportunity to meet and network with telco professionals from around the world!
Will Townsend will be chairing a panel on the O-RAN opportunity at Total Telecom Congress 2022 on 1st November. For more details on how to join Will and 1,000 senior leaders from the global telecoms industry, head to the event website.
