STL Partners notes that many 5G standalone (SA) deployments have stalled due to operator uncertainty about public cloud integration and unclear use cases. David Martin from STL Partners suggests operators may defer 5G SA for technologies like 5G Advanced and 6G. Meanwhile, vRAN and open RAN hold more promising prospects.
Press Release Category: External
Nokia says it signed 30 private networking deals in Q2
Nokia secured 30 private network contracts in Q2 2024, bringing its total to over 760 globally. Dell’Oro ranks Nokia as the second-largest private RAN provider after Huawei, with strong performance in ports, energy, and manufacturing. STL Partners highlights how private networks mitigate financial risks in sectors like shipping, further driving adoption.
Nokia’s platform aims to expand and simplify network API exposure
Nokia’s Network Exposure Platform (NEP) is touted as the first implementation of the GSMA Operator Platform, aiming to expose operators’ services to developers. It supports APIs like CAMARA and TM Forum’s Open APIs, facilitating secure connections between networks and the digital ecosystem. STL Partners’ Amy Cameron emphasizes the need for standardized APIs to scale network API opportunities.
APIs: Forging Global Connectivity and 5G Monetization
APIs are vital digital connectors driving innovation and growth in various industries, including telecommunications. STL Partners highlights the importance of standardized APIs for scalability and market expansion. With 5G capabilities, APIs enable enhanced services, supporting IoT, AI, and other emerging technologies, while API security remains crucial for telcos’ growth.
Humility, patience, collaboration – the big cultural shift in the private 5G market
The cultural shift among mobile operators, such as Verizon Business, emphasizes business outcomes over technology sales, requiring new skill sets to align IT and OT. STL Partners’ survey with Spirent found a gap between enterprise needs and expectations for 5G performance. Effective KPI to SLA mapping and realistic performance expectations are crucial for successful private 5G deployments.
Telcos are becoming utilities. Is that really a bad thing?
Many telcos fear becoming utilities, but Oracle execs argue this can still ensure a robust future. Whether telcos evolve into tech companies or remain traditional telcos, automation and cloud adoption are crucial. STL Partners’ research highlights significant financial benefits from automation, with the telco network and service automation market expected to grow to $2.7 billion by 2028.
The era of digital monetisation is here – are you ready?
CSPs are shifting from traditional billing to digital monetisation to improve customer experiences, reduce churn, and enhance financial performance. STL Partners reports that legacy billing issues cause nearly 50% of CSP customer service calls and significant revenue loss. Modernising billing can save CSPs up to $168 million annually, streamline operations, and boost customer satisfaction by providing real-time charge transparency.
Nokia introduces Network Exposure Platform to expand and simplify network API exposure for service providers
Nokia unveils Network Exposure Platform (NEP) to enhance network API accessibility, crucial for telcos scaling their capabilities. STL Partners emphasizes API standardization and aggregation, key for fostering developer engagement and expanding network use cases.
‘Economy of Things’ may be the new telco revenue opportunity: Vodafone-STL Partners report
A report by Vodafone and STL Partners projects 88 million devices will “independently and securely trade” in 2024, rising to 3.3 billion by 2030. This “Economy of Things” (EoT) will transform sectors like vehicles and smart grids, unlocking untapped IoT data value. Vodafone’s Digital Asset Broker platform aims to facilitate these transactions, highlighting significant monetization opportunities.
Edge computing market matures with $8 billion invested since 2020, STL Partners reports
Since 2020, $8 billion has been invested in edge computing, highlighting its transformative potential, according to STL Partners. The report reveals significant investments in edge software and data centers, driven by venture capital. Despite a tech market cooldown in 2023, edge computing investments remained robust, reflecting its critical role in digital infrastructure.
STL Partners: Nine Thoughts on Sustainable Telecommunications
STL Partners underscores the vital role of telcos in achieving net-zero targets, emphasizing the integration of sustainability across operations. With rising customer and investor pressure, telcos must embed sustainability into their strategies, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing efficiency. This shift not only benefits the environment but also boosts business performance.
Research from STL Partners and Vertiv Reveals Why Telcos Should Prioritise Efficiency and Sustainability in 5G Networks
STL Partners and Vertiv report that while 5G is transformative, it presents significant energy challenges for telecom operators due to increased network density and usage. Operators must adopt energy efficiency best practices and promote 5G-enabled services to reduce consumption and emissions. The report highlights the potential benefits in manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare.
3.3 billion network-edge devices set to connect and trade by 2030, report says
STL Partners’ report, commissioned by Vodafone, forecasts a surge in Economy of Things (EoT) devices, projecting 3.3 billion by 2030. These devices will trade securely via digital platforms, with connected vehicles leading growth. Despite current data sharing limitations, STL Partners sees immense potential in EoT, predicting significant economic benefits and new revenue streams for companies like Vodafone.
Network edge computing demand declines in the UK, STL Partners reports
The edge computing industry is evolving rapidly with increased demand for faster data processing and enhanced security. STL Partners’ report highlights slower-than-expected growth in the UK market, with on-premise and regional edges leading over network edge. STL Partners forecasts significant growth in network edge as 5G advances, stressing the need for robust infrastructure investment to support data-intensive applications.
To Make the Most of 5G Investments, Telcos Need a More Holistic View
End-to-end visibility in cloud-native 5G networks is crucial for CSPs to fully leverage their investments. STL Partners highlights that despite progress, many operators rely on siloed observability tools, which hinders holistic monitoring and monetization. Achieving transformative 5G services requires a unified data approach to ensure performance and operational efficiency.
US wireless operators remain flexible on network APIs
US wireless operators like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are exploring network APIs to monetize 5G, but are cautious in finalizing their strategies. They support GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative but also plan to develop their own APIs. STL Partners increased its global forecast for network API revenue to $34 billion by 2030, reflecting broader use cases and additional APIs.
From on-prem to cloud, now edge computing… What’s next?
Significant advancements in silicon semiconductors have driven computing from on-premises hardware to cloud and edge computing. STL Partners forecasts the edge computing market to grow at a 34% CAGR from 2019 to 2025, fueled by IoT. Emerging paradigms like fog, quantum, and neuromorphic computing promise further evolution, addressing complex computational challenges.