Cerillion Blog

Dumbphones – handsets light on extra features – are increasing in popularity. What’s driving consumers back into the arms of these devices? And how are newer basic models un-dumbing themselves and getting with the times?

Could a text message save your life in an emergency? From this summer, the UK Government will finally catch up with other countries and start sending out alerts to all mobile phones in the event of major accidents and disasters – why has it taken so long to implement this and what are the pitfalls to avoid?

How can telcos turn billions of IoT connections into revenues to match? In his latest industry panel debate, Cerillion’s Richard Doughty talks strategies and opportunities for monetising the Internet of Things, and how providers can be more than just a dumb pipe.

Brian Coombs reports back from this year’s MWC Barcelona, detailing the highs and lows from the showfloor – from the usual bricolage of 5G services and connected devices, to folding mobile phones, cyber-dogs, and the Metaverse causing more than a few eyes to roll.

In times of crisis and repression, telecom customers have been – and continue to be – subjected to restrictions on free communications to manage perceptions and stifle any dissenting voices. From Ukraine and Myanmar to Cuba and Afghanistan, how do telcos operating in unstable markets manage, and how have customers in these regions taken it upon themselves to improve services?

It was a B2B customer experience reunion as we brought back panellists from Omnisperience, OCX Cognition and Lumen Technologies for a webinar on how telcos can engage their customers and build more business. Check out the panellists’ key takeaways below, and then watch the full replay.

Cerillion is back for this year’s MWC Barcelona, one of the biggest annual events in the telecoms industry’s calendar. Be sure to join us there, in person or virtually, to talk telecoms and tapas!

There’s a great deal that CSPs can learn from the humble barista when it comes to delivering a great customer experience. Ahead of our upcoming webinar, Omnisperience analyst, Georgina Elrington, outlines what the B2B sector can take from the world of B2C, and the microbusiness opportunity.

Bills are rising across the board, and the telecoms sector is no different. What’s driving up prices for phone and broadband customers in the UK? And why might these rises not reflect reality?

US telcos are powering down 5G towers near airports, as airlines suspend flights to major travel hubs. Why is the 5G switch-on now making some aviation experts nervous?

With BBC funding once again in the crosshairs of the UK Government, could a levy on household broadband bills be the answer to keeping the lights on at the world’s largest public broadcaster?

Superapps, Total Experience, and SIs revamped – we look ahead to the big changes facing the telecoms sector in 2022 and ask what trends will come to redefine the industry this year.

The UK’s new Telecommunications Act places the burden of responsibility for network security on CSPs. What are the implications for telcos and their equipment procurement?

Phone calls are out – and yet, voice is reaching new levels of popularity. What’s driving this change in how we communicate? And why is Cambodia responsible for half of all Facebook Messenger calls?

After being rapidly adopted as a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, self-service is here to stay. What options are now available and viable, and how do customers feel about doing the heavy lifting themselves?

We interview Rozalia Pandauzova, Head of Operations at Cerillion’s newest office in Sofia, Bulgaria, on establishing a new office from scratch, delivering our BSS/OSS suite to customers worldwide, and plans for the future.

Despite the range of potential uses for emerging 5G technologies, consumers are still largely in the dark. How can telcos better advertise the benefits of 5G based on where customers see value?

In the digital age, customer experience is as vital an area for transformation as services and infrastructure. What lessons can telcos carry over from B2C into the B2B market? Read the highlights from our recent Total Telecom Congress panel discussion.

Shutting down legacy telecoms services is a necessary task on the path to modernisation, but risks cutting vulnerable users off. How can telcos continue to innovate without leaving customers behind? And why are many telcos shuttering their 3G networks before 2G?

In case you hadn’t noticed – Facebook was hit by a vast service outage two weeks ago. Why might such an outage become more likely in the future, and what should businesses do to mitigate the risk? Brian Coombs explains.

Digitalisation has the power to transform how CSPs deliver their products and services – how does this affect their BSS/OSS strategies and what must they do to create a customer-centric digital experience?

Data protection laws in the UK might be facing changes once more, including GDPR being thrown out after only three years. What’s motivating this review, and why may they not be in the best interests of consumers?

The scourge of underbilling in telecoms is higher than ever, according to recent research – how bad has it become, and what steps do telcos need to take to get to the root of the problem?

When it comes to pricing mobile services, telcos are in a spot of bother, as revenue streams are not keeping pace with customer preferences. How are services being priced now, and what can providers do to remedy this?

For digital-intensive businesses who live in fear of that next cloud services bill, FinOps offers a proactive solution, anticipating and integrating dynamic cloud usage into the development cycle. What are the key tenets of FinOps, and how can it radically improve your transformation efforts?

Private 5G networks, rural broadband, base stations in space, and more – how well have our predictions for this year’s Top Telecoms Trends held up so far?

It sounds like it’s been ripped from the pages of science fiction – and really, it has – but the Metaverse is being lauded by some as the next phase of communications, offering enhanced online experiences in a shared virtual environment. What role will telco firms play in this possible future?

Vodafone, EE and Three are bringing back roaming charges for calls and data on the continent. What does this mean for customers in the UK? And what approach are other countries taking?

With work-from-home becoming an increasingly appealing prospect in the long term, telecoms companies must guarantee that their remote cybersecurity systems are just as robust as their in-house provisions. What can telcos do to shield themselves from attack?

Right to Repair legislation is increasingly gaining traction around the world, as customers demand the opportunity to make the most out of their electronic devices. But what is holding up the legal side of the battle? And what is being done in the meantime to extend the life of products?

Mobile handsets locked to a particular network are becoming a thing of the past, as customers increasingly seek the freedom to move providers as they see fit. How are lawmakers around the world dealing with the matter, and why are service providers so reluctant?

Next year, WhatsApp will switch to a conversation-based pricing model for its Business app, charging companies per customer interaction. Could this model be the solution to its monetisation problem? And what can telcos learn about this value or outcome-based approach?

Consumer psychology won’t let you brainwash customers into becoming loyal consumers, but it offers important lessons for subscription companies in designing their products and customer experience. We take a deep dive into the psychology of subscriptions, and try to separate the useful hacks from the useless hokum.

Internet connectivity is increasingly being considered a utility, alongside gas, electricity, and water – but as a recent New York lawsuit has highlighted, telcos aren’t so excited by this news. To what extent should they be required to provide access to those on low incomes?

The post-COVID economy is reportedly threatening to raise the risk of customers being overcharged on their bills more than ever – how did we get here? And what can be done to protect customers?

The COVID pandemic has exposed the challenges that the telecoms industry was already facing. Rupali Srivastava explores the issues the crisis has highlighted, and how telcos can insulate themselves from further troubles.

The race is on to modernise broadband infrastructure outside of cities to guarantee equal service for all. How are things proceeding, and what can countries learn from Sweden’s approach?

We all use APIs on a daily basis, without even realising; from signing into websites with a social media account to making payments online. Brian Coombs, Cerillion's Product Director, explains how TM Forum Open APIs are powering Cerillion products and continue to drive innovation.

CSPs continue to struggle against OTT services, who are growing rapidly on the back of telco infrastructure. Are they an existential threat, or is there common ground to be had?