Retaining the customer profile

This article consists of a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation. Currently, the circuit switched network operator has control of his customers profiles and interfaces. This has given the network operator an advantage in service delivery over 'edge of network' Value Added Service providers. The reason the customer profile is in the hands of the operator is due to the manner in which the fixed and mobile networks have evolved and the regulatory environment. This control over the customers' profile seems to be a key factor in retaining service revenues within the network operators' domain. As we move towards the next generation of IP/ATM networks and therefore open interfaces, there will be an increasing trend towards the migration of intelligence out of the network and into intelligent CPE and edge of network servers. We are told that communications between sucrequipmentswill make use of end-to-end protocols, and may use only basic network call control for routing. As more and more applications become viable at the edge, the ownership and location of the customers profile also comes into question. We must seriously consider this as a real threat to the network operators ability to provide value added services which could ultimately result in the network operators role being reduced to that of a 'Bit' carrier. Its therefore worth looking at issues surrounding the positioning of these applications and services.