Why access to multiple networks through a single supplier could be the answer to your telecoms headaches

At Adam Phones, we work with the three largest tier 1 networks – but why might you need access to more than one?

No one network will be the perfect fit for every organisation. Whether it’s coverage performance at a particular premises, impressive data transfer speeds for field-based teams, domestic – or more likely international and roaming – commercial rates; there will always be a number of factors why one network fits the mould of your business better than another.

It’s also likely that, with the passage of time, the suitability of a network will change – or more likely the requirements of your evolving business will.

While you can switch networks at the end of your contractual period, this change can introduce as many problems as it does solutions:

1. The network may no longer be the most suitable for you, but if you’ve been happy with the service then you could risk losing that level of service levels with a new supplier. It’s often more likely the opposite. You’re happy with the network but are experiencing poor customer service, insufficient reporting – or even bill shock, which has introduced unwelcome internal overheads and forcing you to look elsewhere.

2. You might have opened a new international office and your costs have increased significantly because the network cannot be as commercially competitive in that destination – but domestically it may be the perfect network for you.

3. You might need more than one network for your business – perhaps Vodafone makes sense for your smartphones but EE’s data network may be more desirable for the iPads you’re deploying. That means two suppliers, two contracts, two sets of invoices to reconcile, two sets of SLAs – and multiple contact points for support.

4. Coverage may be an issue in one of your office locations, dictating the need for a different network for those employees.

We understand that changing networks and suppliers can represent a significant hassle at best – and a risk to the operational running of your business at worst. It’s, therefore, easy to see why some companies stay where they are – even if they’re not happy with the service they’re receiving or if they believe there’s a commercial advantage to switching.

If you find yourself in this scenario, it’s first worth spending some time understanding the different types of supplier you can approach when starting a telecoms procurement exercise. These suppliers are split into three distinct groups as follows:

Network:

• Will deliver all provisioning, barring, etc. for your lines
• Will deliver all invoicing and any management information reporting
• Will only sell their own brand (if you have 500 connections on Vodafone but also need 150 EE connections, they can’t help you)

Service Provider:

• Can deliver mobile contracts on multiple networks – depending on how many network licences they have (some will only have one)
• Will be responsible for supporting all elements of the service: provisioning, barring, technical support, etc.
• Will invoice directly – some will have their own billing infrastructure, but others will outsource this

Dealer:

• Will sometimes have access to more than one network
• Will often be limited to selling ‘off the shelf’ tariffs from their network(s) – meaning that they have to apply a ‘best fit’ approach when aligning a tariff with your requirements (they cannot build you a bespoke tariff modelled to your usage)
• Will pass over all invoicing to be provided by the network directly – this can result in a fragmented relationship and limitations in regards to support

While we’ll be covering the different types of telecommunications provider in more detail in an upcoming blog, it’s easy to identify the sweet spot from this short comparison. Ultimately, on the basis they have access to multiple networks and their own billing and reporting platform, a Service Provider can deliver all the technical benefits of a blend of networks but under a single umbrella:

• Provisioning / service delivery
• Bespoke tariffing
• All customer and technical support
• All billing, invoicing and reporting

This arrangement also offers benefits when you only use one network for your entire fleet but at the end of your contract, you need to switch to another network. You could switch networks without needing to change supplier and you wouldn’t even need to go through the normal process of requesting PAC codes.

A Service Provider takes away the headache of different contracts and invoicing structures, provides one dedicated point of contact for better customer service, remains focused on recommending the best solution for the business – and makes telecommunications much more flexible.

To find out more about integrated connectivity solutions and what a Service Provider can do for your business get in touch.

And take a look at our checklist for what makes a great telecommunications supplier.