IDC identifies next-generation service providers in APAC

• IDC's IDC Telecom MarketScape for Next-Generation Service Providers 2016-17 evaluates the leading regional and global telecommunications service providers (SPs) in Asia Pacific (APAC). 

• AT&T, BT, Orange, and Singtel were identified as Leaders of the next-generation telecom service providers in the region.

• Service providers demonstrated a strong regional network presence, comprehensive suite of enterprise cloud and managed ICT service offerings, diverse portfolio of services in areas such as Internet of Things (IoT) and collaboration in the region.

IDC has published a MarketScape report, IDC Telecom MarketScape for Next-Generation Service Providers 2016-17, which evaluates the leading regional and global telecommunications service providers SPs in APAC. According to the report, AT&T, BT, Orange, and Singtel were identified as Leaders of the next-generation telecom service providers in the region.

These service providers demonstrated a strong regional network presence, a comprehensive suite of enterprise cloud and managed ICT service offerings, diverse portfolio of services in areas such as Internet of Things (IoT) and collaboration in the region, as well as a large base of mid and large-sized enterprises, multinational corporations (MNCs), and government clients across APAC.

Leaders are closely followed by Major Players, such as regional service providers Telstra and NTT Communications, along with global service providers including Vodafone, Verizon, and Tata Communications. Global Cloud Xchange (GCX) is classified under the Contenders group.

"The telco landscape is being reshaped by enterprise demand for this transformation to digital platforms. The impact of key 3rd Platform technologies and accelerators, and the enterprise desire to leverage on these technologies for differentiation in a crowded marketplace is clearly visible,” said Nikhil Batra, Senior Research Manager for Telecom Practice, IDC Asia/Pacific.

"In the short term, SD-WAN and enterprise cloud connect will be important, followed by 5G, software-defined networks (SDN), and virtual network services (VNS), with a distinct focus on customer experience throughout. Most of the SPs today have responded to these enterprise requirements by expanding into adjacent areas and providing not just the technology, but the business expertise along with it. However, they continue to differentiate themselves based on their focus and key strategic capabilities."

Global telecom SPs have progressed steadily over the past few years in their worldwide capabilities. Although no one carrier aspires to be the sole enterprise provider, there is hardly any SP that focuses only on providing connectivity services to enterprises. SPs have branched out to provide cloud federation and brokerage services, managed security, unified communications and collaboration (UC&C), and other managed ICT services and solutions, leveraging their core assets.

IDC summarises some key market differentiators:

• A well-rounded portfolio of cloud services powered by secure cloud connect offerings

• Leveraging SDN and VNS for internal and external efficiencies

• Comprehensive suite of managed security offerings

• Wide range of enterprise mobility, machine-to-machine (M2M), big data and analytics solutions

• Network partnerships beyond standard network-to=network interface (NNI) agreements