Capacity, Coverage, Customers: The Telecom Modernization Trifecta

By Jeremy Ladner 7 min read

Telecom operators are under more pressure than ever before to deliver better services, expand their coverage, and maintain their competitive edge. If you're running a top-tier telecom network, you know network modernization is no longer a luxury; it’s essential for survival. Modernizing your network infrastructure offers not only improved performance and reduced downtime but also the opportunity to retain customers, lower operational costs, and unlock new revenue streams like over-the-top (OTT) streaming services.

Why Network Modernization Matters


For communications service providers (CSPs), aging telecom infrastructure can be a significant obstacle. Networks built on outdated hardware struggle to keep up with today’s data demands, and the challenges can be magnified in regions with difficult terrain or growing populations. Slow speeds, frequent outages, and poor coverage lead to a dissatisfied customer base, which ultimately hurts retention and impacts revenue. Service providers know that poor network performance causes customers to turn to competitors, increasing your churn rate.

CSPs looking to lead their markets need to go beyond patching issues with their networks—they need comprehensive network modernization. This goes far beyond simply swapping out older equipment. It’s about expanding capacity, improving reliability, and integrating new software solutions to ensure a future-proof network. When done right, modernizing a telecom network can result in lower operational expenses (OPEX), improved customer satisfaction, and even new business opportunities.

For example, a telecom operator based on the west coast of Africa recently partnered with Ceragon to complete an end-to-end network infrastructure overhaul. Their journey showcases the benefits of managed network services and predictive network analytics, and it provides a blueprint for how other operators can follow suit.

Challenges of Telecom Network Infrastructure


Like many operators, this telecom provider faced several challenges that pushed them to modernize:

  • Aging infrastructure that was becoming inefficient
  • Degraded network capacity and frequent service outages
  • Lack of preventive maintenance tools, leading to reactive problem-solving
  • No proactive network analysis, which hindered their ability to optimize performance


These issues weren’t just technical problems—they had real consequences on customer retention and operational costs. The older the network, the more costly and time-consuming it becomes to maintain, and without the right tools in place, the provider was constantly putting out fires instead of preventing them. As their infrastructure aged, it created a bottleneck, slowing down performance and reducing the overall quality of service.

Faced with increasing pressure to keep up with customer demands and competitors, the provider knew they had to upgrade their network to stay relevant in the market.

The Solution: A Comprehensive Network Modernization Strategy


To address these challenges, the telecom provider partnered with Ceragon to modernize and expand their network. Ceragon’s strategy was comprehensive, focusing on both hardware and software to ensure the provider would be set up for long-term success.

  1. Network Modernization and Expansion: The first step was replacing outdated infrastructure with disaggregated cell site gateways, all-outdoor units, and aggregation nodes. These upgrades allowed for increased capacity and better support for the growing data demands of their customers.

  2. Managed Network Services: Ceragon provided full-service managed network services, ensuring 24/7 monitoring and maintenance of the network through their Network Operations Center (NOC). This proactive approach significantly reduced downtime and operational costs by preventing issues before they impacted network performance.

  3. Predictive and Preventive Software Solutions: On the software side, Ceragon Insight was implemented, a proprietary suite of predictive and preventive tools, which gave the provider total visibility across their multi-vendor network. With these advanced tools, the operator could predict potential issues and address them proactively, further reducing the need for emergency repairs and service interruptions.

This combination of hardware upgrades and predictive software solutions helped the provider not only solve their immediate challenges but also build a network that was future friendly. By focusing on proactive maintenance and real-time analytics, the provider could now focus on expanding their business, rather than constantly troubleshooting network problems.

Results of Network Modernization


The benefits of this network modernization project were clear and immediate. With new network links added and existing infrastructure overhauled, the telecom provider saw substantial improvements in performance, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Some of the key results included:

  1. High-Capacity Network: The new infrastructure allowed the provider to support higher data throughput, leading to faster speeds and better overall network performance.

  2. Reduced OPEX and CAPEX: By streamlining maintenance processes and reducing the need for costly manual interventions, the provider slashed both their capital and operational expenses. This also made the business more financially competitive in the long run.

  3. Increased Customer Satisfaction: With improved network reliability, the provider experienced fewer service interruptions, leading to happier customers and a significant drop in churn rates.

  4. New Revenue Streams: The newly modernized network also allowed the provider to offer premium services such as OTT streaming, unlocking new revenue streams and setting the stage for future growth.

  5. Future-Proofing Telecom Networks for Long-Term Success


Network modernization isn’t just about fixing today’s problems—it’s about preparing for the future. As the telecom industry continues to evolve, operators that invest in their infrastructure now will be in the best position to capitalize on emerging technologies and market demands.

For tier 1 and tier 2 telecom operators, investing in network upgrades is critical to staying competitive. With the right combination of managed network services and predictive software tools, CSPs can ensure they deliver the reliability, speed, and capacity that customers demand, while also reducing operational costs and improving overall efficiency.

For telecom operators ready to take the next step in network modernization, partnering with industry experts like Ceragon can help ensure a successful, future-proof transformation. Ready to learn more about how Ceragon end-to-end solutions can transform your network and keep you ahead of the competition – read our full case study now! 

Download the case study

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