Strategic Analysis of NEF/NWDAF Capabilities in the Telecom Sector

Evaluating NEF and NWDAF Capabilities of Leading Telecom Software Vendors to Help Our Client Gain Technological Edge

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Our Client’s Problem

Our client, a key player in the telecommunications software industry, faced challenges with respect to changing technological scenario in the telco software domain. As a result, our client wanted to gain a deep understanding of Network Exposure Function (NEF) and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) capabilities of the other three leading vendors operating in this space. With the rapid evolution of 5G technology, the client needed to comprehend how their NEF/NWDAF offerings stacked up against the other vendors that formed the part of the study. The goal was to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for improvement in their own products.
 

Our Brief
The client required a detailed assessment of the NEF/NWDAF capabilities of three of the leading telco software vendors. The focus was on:
Understanding the latest versions and updates of NEF/NWDAF products.
Evaluating whether these solutions were truly cloud-native and cloud-agnostic.
Assessing the supported B2B and B2C lines of businesses.
Identifying AI/ML components and supported use cases.
Investigating any failed or significantly challenged projects.
 

Our Method
At 4D, we adopted a comprehensive approach that went beyond traditional market research. We conducted in-depth interviews with former product managers and solutions architects from the vendors. These interviews provided valuable insights into the architecture, client base and operational strategies with respect to vendors’ NEF/NWDAF offerings. Our team meticulously analyzed the captured information, focusing on the products' technical specifications, customer feedback, and market performance.
 

Client Outcomes
Our analysis provided the client with critical insights:
Cloud-Native Capabilities: Our study confirmed that two of the three vendors' NEF/NWDAF solutions were indeed cloud-native, positioning them strongly in terms of scalability and flexibility.

Product Offerings: We found that all the three vendors had developed robust NEF/NWDAF solutions with advanced AI/ML functionalities. These included customer assistance, lead generation, and opportunity creation capabilities.

Market Penetration: Our research showed that these solutions had been successfully deployed to numerous telecommunications clients, including Tier 1 Communication Service Providers (CSPs), highlighting their market acceptance and potential for further growth.

Challenges and Limitations: However, we also uncovered significant challenges in project management and financial practices. Over-quoting on projects and under-allocation of necessary resources had led to client dissatisfaction and project cancellations for two of the vendors covered in the study.
 

Strategic Recommendations: Based on our findings, we advised our client to enhance their NEF/NWDAF offerings by increasing their focus on cloud agility, AI/ML integrations, and resource management. We also suggested strategic adjustments to their pricing models that would allow them to compete effectively, whilst still maintaining properly resourced projects at a profit besides ensuring higher client retention. This enabled them to refine their product development and marketing strategies, positioning them more effectively in the rapidly evolving 5G telecom market.