Sanjiv Parikh

• 08:39 PM Monday, September 10, 2007
  Sep 10 Mon

  Telco 2.0

   

  I think we can all agree that the telecommunications industry is undergoing a huge transformation: consolidations and convergence from both technological and organizational standpoints.

   

  Service Providers have a number of key assets to help them in this converged world. Firstly, they have relationships – literally billions of them across the fixed, mobile and broadband data areas. These are trusted relationships, with regular contact with customers through billing and promotions. Secondly, they have made a significant investment in the infrastructure that supports these new services: investment in fixed broadband (both DSL and Fiber), in wireless broadband (both 3G and WiFi), in a converged IMS infrastructure, and decades of investment in billing and customer care systems. Thirdly, they control a number of foundation services: voice, broadband connectivity, Internet access, SMS, VPN etc.

   

  To move to Telco 2.0, Service Providers need to embrace these assets along with the principles of Web 2.0 and deploy a range of "managed network mashups" so that they are literally offering hundreds of services across their networks bringing together numerous applications and types of content from a variety of sources to form composite services. The combinations of potential new services are nearly limitless.

   

  "Managed network mashup"? This is effectively a fancy Web 2.0 word for service aggregation. Most mashups today are client driven (think AJAX). Here managed network mashups refers to server side mashups providing mulit-client scenarios, governance (e.g., metering, SLA), with flexible billing models allowing service providers to add value. In the context implied here, managed network mashups is about combining foundational network services from the telco service providers (e.g., voice, SMS, location) with web services (e.g., email, IM).

   

  The ability of service providers to efficiently and cost-effectively develop and deploy new services is essential to the further development of the Telco 2.0 era. Microsoft’s strategy in this regard is to extend the user experience to all screens (from the PC across the TV and mobile devices). Microsoft also offers a number of services which can be offered by service providers (e.g., Enhanced VoIP, Hosted Messaging and Collaboration, Dynamics for CRM, and other consumer services). These services are enabled through the Microsoft service delivery platform (Connected Services Framework) which integrates 3^rd party services into the telco OSS/BSS and customer care back-end. Connected Services Framework is a server-based software product through which operators can deliver, aggregate and manage converged communications services for subscribers, regardless of network or device.

   

  Key to Microsoft’s success in the communications industry is an ecosystem that unites service providers, independent software vendors (ISVs), systems integrators and network equipment providers with Microsoft to drive the development and commercialization of new services. To that end, Microsoft introduced the Connected Services Sandbox, a proof-of-concept and integration environment that will allow ISVs and developers to test their services along with offerings from Microsoft, service providers and system integrators to rapidly bring new services to market.

   

  Microsoft provides the operating platform, technologies, applications, and partner ecosystem in partnership with service providers that will help make Telco 2.0 a reality.

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• 11:42 AM Sunday, November 12, 2006
  Nov 12 Sun

  Mobile Startups and Microsoft / Motorola / Verizon - Leveling the Mobile Playing Field

  Ever wonder what drives the mobile value chain? Does partnering across the mobile value chain accelerate growth for a startup? What do companies like Microsoft, Motorola and Verizon do to support and grow the mobile ecosystem?

  As part of my role at Microsoft, I meet with many mobile startups from around the world and it seems to me that an understanding of the above questions would certainly be of value. This prompted me to coordinate an event addressing how partnerships across the mobile value chain can accelerate growth and drive value.  To be fair, this event does not address all aspects of the mobile value chain. However, participants will get an opportunity to learn what companies like Microsoft, Motorola and Verizon are doing to assist and engage with startups.

  This will also be an opportunity to learn about the outlook for 2007 for mobile startups. Additionally, participants will get to learn what the VC community is honing in on with respect to the mobile landscape.

  More importantly, product and business development professionals from each of the large organizations will be on hand. A large portion of the event is dedicated to fostering networking and assisting young companies make connections with the relevant parts of the larger organizations.

  This is a unique event on partnering across the mobile value chain to help accelerate the growth of a young company. If you are part of a mobile startup and will be in Silicon Valley next Friday, I highly encourage you to attend.

  o    We will have key business leaders from Microsoft, Motorola and Verizon 
  - Discussing some of the areas in which they are looking to partner.
  - How to get engaged with them.
  - What they each do to drive value for startups.

  o    This will be an opportunity to meet key individuals
  - Several representatives from across these organizations will be in attendance.
  - These individuals drive product and business development opportunities for startups.

  o    Friday, November 17^th, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
  - Microsoft Campus in Mountain View, CA

  Attendance is free. Register now!

  LEVELING THE MOBILE PLAYING FIELD
  Accelerating Growth Through Partnership
  Mobile Startups & Microsoft – Motorola – Verizon

  November 17, 2006 | 8:00am – 1:00pm | Microsoft Campus | 1065 La Avenida, Building 1 | Mountain View, CA 94043

  REGISTER

  Does partnering with Microsoft, Motorola and/or Verizon accelerate growth and drive value?

  For emerging companies, building and nurturing strong partnerships is critical to success. This symposium is dedicated to de-mystifying the partner process for startup companies across the mobile value-chain. We will cover the following:

  o    What is the outlook for mobility oriented startups in 2007?

  o    What drives the mobile value-chain?

  o    What/who influences the ecosystem and how?

  o    How can Microsoft, Motorola, Verizon, and their network of partners help accelerate the growth of a startup?

  o    What are some of the areas in which these firms are looking to partner?

  o    What is the best way to engage with them? Challenges? Opportunities?

  o    What areas are VCs investing in and looking at?

  Most importantly, key representatives from the product and business development teams of these companies will be in attendance. This is a unique opportunity to meet the individuals that specifically drive the partnering process! Learn how to navigate through these organizations to get to the relevant individuals. Who are they? What are they looking for? How can you fast track your engagement with these organizations?

  AGENDA

  8:00am – Registration Open/Continental Breakfast

  9:00am - 9:10am – Welcome Remarks
  Dan’l Lewin, Corporate Vice President, Strategic and Emerging Business Team, Microsoft

  9:10am - 9:30am – Keynote: Mobility Outlook: 2007
  Overview of the mobile sectors that are changing the game.
  Rajeev Chand, Rutberg & Co.
  
  9:30am - 10:45am – A Level Playing Field: How Partnering with Large Organizations Accelerates Growth?

  Moderator: Rajeev Chand, Rutberg & Co.
  Speakers:
  Paul Leeper, Director, Market Development, Motorola
  Sanjiv Parikh, Director – Mobility, Emerging Business Team, Microsoft
  Ray Taylor, Executive Director, Verizon

  10:45am - 11:15am - Networking/Coffee Break

  11:15am - 12:15pm - VC Panel: The investment outlook for mobile startups?
  
  Moderator: Rajeev Chand, Rutberg & Co.
  Speakers:
  Tim Chang, General Partner, Gabriel Venture Partners
  Harshul Sanghi, Investment Manager, Motorola Ventures
  Fred Wang, General Partner, Trinity Ventures

  12:15 Networking/Lunch

  If you would like to attend, please register.

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