On September 25th, Moscow Renaissance Olympic Hotel became a venue for ComNews’ 4th International conference Managed Services 2013 – Optimization of operators’ costs, outsourcing of network and IT infrastructure, and shared operation of telecom networks. The event was supported by the Russian National Association of Strategic Outsourcing (ASTRA), International Academy of Communications (IAC), Association of Regional Telecom Operators (ARTO), Russian Association for Electronic Communications (RAEC), the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), Wireless Ukraine Association and Information and Computer Technologies Industry Association (APKIT). Amdocs was the Golden Sponsor of the Conference, Ericsson – Silver Sponsor, Nvision and A1Q1 were Session Sponsors, Comverse – Registration Sponsor, and finally Russian Towers CJSC – Cocktail Sponsor. Managed Services 2013 also involved the participation of Datatel-Service CJSC, Orange System Group CJSC, TELNET Redes Inteligentes and Concept Technologies CJSC.

The first session dedicated to outsourcing of telecommunications infrastructure was kicked off by Deputy Director of the Infrastructure Projects Department with the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media Mikhail Kaygorodov. He communicated that the industry is on the verge of a comprehensive reform –the Ministry has drafted amendments to the Federal Law #126 “Concerning communications”. The draft plan stipulates shared use of radio frequency by telecom carriers, defines the terms ‘subuser’ and ‘user’ of frequencies. “The document hasn’t been submitted to the RF State Duma yet and is currently going through approvals in the authorities involved”, Mikhail Kaygorodov emphasized. Head of Communications Infrastructure Legal Support of MegaFon Sergey Pereverzev took up the subject of frequency regulation and expanded on the international practices in radio frequency conversion. Outsourcing and Consulting Division Director at NVision Group Maxim Semenikhin outlined the prospects of the largest telecom outsourcing project in Russia – the deal between NVision Group and VimpelCom. CEO of GorSvyazService, Andrey Yatsenko shared the principles and ways to maximize efficiency of outsourcing broadband networks. The report of Pavel Mosin, Business Development Director, Network Managed Services, Ericsson Northern Europe and Central Asia, was dedicated to global network operation centers as a tool to enhance efficiency of Managed Services. Sergey Spaskov, project manager at Technical Unit of the Corporate Center, MTS, spoke about the benefits and lessons learned by the operator who had outsourced telecom infrastructure.

The second session was entitled IT outsourcing for operators. Amdocs Russia Accounts Director Lev Roiterstein described the advantages of outsourcing OSS/BSS systems. Steve Lions, Head of Customer & Enterprise Management IT, Vodafone UK, shared to the audience how managed services allowed the operator to transform the business. Leonid Belskiy, Business Development Director, IT Managed Services, Ericsson Northern Europe and Central Asia, delivered a presentation about improving operator’s business performance through shared use of network and IT infrastructure. Ronit Ben-Sheffer, Marketing Director, Global Services, Comverse explored the ways to “pump up the business” with help of managed services. The presentation of Dmitry Tischenko, Director, Software Quality Optimization Department, A1QA was dedicated to changes in an operator’s QA department which can improve business performance.

The session following lunched explored the issues of outsourcing and shared construction and operation of telecom networks. Jorge Herrero, International Sales Manager, TELNET Redes Inteligentes, made a presentation about BTS antennas for new shared-use mobile networks. CEO of Russian Towers Dmitry Nelyubov shared his outlook for the future of telecom infrastructure in Russia. Yury Malenkov, Director of Access Networks Planning and Development, VimpelCom told the audience about the implementation of the project initiated by the Big Four operators to provide cellular coverage on federal highways. Konstantin Strulev, Operations Manager, North-West Branch, MegaFon, took the floor to talk about the twists and turns of an effective switch to the outsourcing model. Vladimir Ledenev, CEO of Datatel-Service gave out his views on the role of service companies in Managed Services. He was followed by CCO of Orange System Group Dmitry Zuev who talked about OSS Equipment Manager as a tool to support Managed Services. Head of Network Services at NSN Denis Konstantinov shared his views on the evolution of outsourcing in Russia. Alexander Romanov, Deputy CEO of Compulink Infrastructure, told about the construction of fiber optic systems Evraz-1 and Evraz-2 for further sale of fibers to fixed and mobile service providers. Managing Director of Telecom-Birzha Alexander Vakhtin expanded on why network outsourcing is an ideal solution for a foreign operator willing to enter the Russian market. Yury Ishmaev, Head of Fixed Communications Department, J'son & Partners Consulting, tried to weigh pros and cons of outsourcing the telecom infrastructure.  

The end of the conference was marked by the round table on Cost Optimization for Operators moderated by ComNews Editor-in-Chief Leonid Konik. The discussion featured Vitaly Shub, Adviser to the President of TTK, Deputy CTO of Multinet Group Natalia Rudenko, Head of Telecom QA department of A1QA Julia Liber, along with Yury Malenkov and Konstantin Strulev.
Managed Services 2013 was attended by more than 120 companies from different countries. Participants of the conference expressed a high opinion of the event organization, relevance of topics, the high profile of speakers and unique networking opportunities. Managed Services 2013 also featured an exhibition which showcased Telecom-Birzha, A1QA and DMTel.