Telecom operators today are seeking greater independence and agility in managing service provisioning. In an industry marked by rapid technology shifts and increasing cost pressures, the ability to independently configure, deploy, and enhance activation processes is a competitive advantage. Tertio Service Activation is positioned to address this need, providing a pathway to self-sufficiency, flexibility, and effective operational control.

This article highlights how an innovative mobile operator in Central and Eastern Europe collaborated with Evolving Systems to attain full self-sufficiency in managing its Tertio Service Activation solution, thereby establishing a framework for operational independence.

Background: A Challenger in a Competitive Market

Launched in 1998, this forward-thinking operator entered a marketplace dominated by a legacy monopoly. The company rapidly captured market share through a strategy focused on innovation and customer experience. By 2005, it had attained approximately 45% of the nation’s subscribers, contributing to a mobile penetration rate exceeding 70%. The operator gained a reputation for being the first to introduce emerging technologies such as GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and HSDPA, consistently maintaining a competitive edge through agility and service excellence.

Drivers: Cost Efficiency, Flexibility, and Local Empowerment

With a young, skilled, and motivated workforce, the operator recognized the importance of building internal capabilities at an early stage. Consequently, it sought a technology partner capable of providing expert guidance while utilizing local resources at a reduced cost. Three primary factors influenced the decision to implement Tertio Service Activation from Evolving Systems:

1. Support Flexibility – Leveraging local support from Evolving Systems’ regional partner.
2. Skills Transfer – Gaining access to tools, documentation, and technical knowledge that empowers internal teams.
3. Future-Proofing – Implementing an adaptable solution to accommodate new network technologies and services.

Implementation Approach: Training, Tools, and Partnership

In 2003, the operator assumed full responsibility for project and technical management during the Tertio implementation process. This collaborative method fostered a robust partnership between the operator and Evolving Systems, establishing a solid foundation for true self-sufficiency. Evolving Systems facilitated the transition by providing the following:

  Standard training courses for staff and local partners.

  Comprehensive product documentation that includes development guides and configuration resources.

  Customer-specific technical assets, such as source code and design documentation, as necessary.

Significantly, the teams maintained close communication throughout the process, facilitating an organic and effective knowledge transfer.

Tools that Empower: Tertio Activation Designer

A critical aspect of achieving success in service activation processes is the Tertio Activation Designer, an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) tool that enables operators to:

• Modify activation process flows and rules independently, without needing external support.
• Rapidly adapt to modifications in product configurations or business logic.
• Facilitate the swift rollout of new services in response to evolving market dynamics.

In contrast, other system components necessitated programming expertise in languages such as C++ and Java, competencies that the organization’s internal team possessed and effectively utilized during the initial deployments and integrations.

Outcomes: Achieving Independence

The operator completed the first phase of system enhancements autonomously. This encompassed:

• Configuring new products and establishing business rules.
• Integrating Tertio Service Activation within new network platforms.

By accomplishing these objectives independently, the organization solidified its position as a self-sufficient telecommunications provider capable of managing activation workflows and service deployments without significant reliance on external resources.

Over time, organizational changes have diminished Tertio-specific expertise, a phenomenon commonly observed in prolonged technical partnerships. Evolving Systems has intervened to address this, enhancing training, providing certification support, and ensuring that the operator continues to meet its evolving service delivery objectives.

The Value of Self-Sufficiency in Telecommunications

This case highlights how telecommunications providers can attain the following:

  Operational independence

  Cost-effective service rollout

  Increased speed-to-market

  Confidence in scaling and upgrading service activation platforms

With Tertio Service Activation, operators are not constrained by a rigid, black-box system. Instead, they possess the tools and knowledge to influence their provisioning strategies—whether launching next-generation services or integrating with new network platforms.

Concluding Thoughts

Tertio’s self-sufficiency capability is advantageous for agile operators aiming to:

• Minimize dependence on vendors
• Optimize internal skill sets
• Reduce the costs associated with system enhancements
• Remain responsive to rapidly changing market conditions

By combining intuitive tools such as the Tertio Activation Designer with a robust implementation partnership and comprehensive knowledge transfer, Evolving Systems empowers operators to take control of their service activation strategies.

Interested in learning how your team can become self-sufficient in service provisioning?

Contact us to explore your journey with Tertio.