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Saying Adios to Copper Networks with TCTS

About the Client

A leading tier-1 Spanish telco

Challenge

The telco, one of the first movers in Europe to transition to fibre-optic networks managed to successfully carry out its copper decommissioning project without disrupting customer services. It commissioned TCTS (Tata Communication Transformation Services) as one of the key telecom managed services providers to reduce its copper footprint. It leveraged TCTS’ hybrid delivery capability to further simplify operational complexities and deliver cost optimization.

Solution

  • Decommissioning in chunks
    A targeted shutdown of the active copper equipment is crucial to realizing the immediate benefits of the decommissioning process. TCTS systematically identified and prioritized sites based on their size and service impact. Additionally, the team conducted an in-depth analysis of the copper infrastructure, followed by designing and executing the plan. Breaking down the copper shutdown into nested projects helped gradually decommission the network. Handling smaller segments allowed the telco to focus on planning and resource allocation. This ensured that teams could work more efficiently, reducing the risk of errors and delays. The systematic approach also allowed the telco to spread the costs and investments needed for the transition, resulting in cost optimization.

  • Hybrid Delivery Model to Accelerate Migration
    Throughout the project, the telco continuously sought innovative ways to decommission the copper switchboards as swiftly as possible. TCTS deployed a hybrid delivery approach clearly identifying and segregating the roles and responsibilities between offshore delivery and on-ground field services. A significant portion of the activities were executed by the TCTS off-shore delivery teams which also actively coordinated and guided multiple on-ground teams for field activities, taking ownership of the complete project. Aligning the teams helped streamline the switch-off experience and alleviated the cost implications.

  • Correcting inventory discrepancy
    A physical asset inventory mismatch was increasing the lead time and risk for removing network hardware. TCTS initiated thorough field surveys to inspect the copper network infrastructure physically checking the state and presence of equipment, cables, and connections. Then, TCTS cross-referenced the field data with the inventory records, identifying discrepancies, such as missing, additional, or mislabeled items. Finally, the inventory records were updated to accurately represent the physical network, minimizing future discrepancies between inventory and field data.

Results

  • 280 COs decommissioned till date
  • 1,500+ devices powered down
  • 1,000+ circuit migration
  • 10% more savings
  • 50% faster TAT by automation

The success of this project has laid the foundation for the telco to implement workflow automation and end-to-end lifecycle management. TCTS’s Neo Automata Site Rollout Management System (SRMS) – a 360-degree workflow for end-to-end lifecycle management of network sites –facilitates better transparency, consistent stakeholder engagement and structured decision-making for the closure of the sites.

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