Expert View

Positioning T&M as key in network management: Acterna Strategy

On T&M industry’s situation and ACTERNA’s own positioning, Convergence Plus interviewed ACTERNA India’s Managing Director, Vishnu Goel. Excerpts from the interview:

What is the prevailing Test & Measurement trends scenario in India?

The telecom T&M industry is passing through a critical phase as a major growth segment part of T&M. In other words, telecom T&M is torn between commoditised boxes and customised systems for operators. Many new technologies and ITU standards are having an impact on the take-off, whereas regulatory standards for many others are still not released. The manufacturing segment is under severe pressure, so capital expenditure is rarely spent on manufacturing T&M.

What is your estimate of the current market size in India, and where does Acterna fit in?

The telecommunications T&M market is approximately 25 per cent of the total generic T&M market and our estimate is that the pure-play telecom/datacom institution market is Rs. 200 crores per annum. Roughly 70 per cent of this is imported in nature. We estimate that it will take Acterna India a couple of years to reach number one position. Network monitoring and QoS for various networks, such as data, optical networking, mobile, satellite, cable TV, etc. are of utmost importance.

What role are you playing in the performance/monitoring of such networks?

Our network solutions strategy is targeted towards optical transport, cable and access networks. Here we have the number one position globally. In other networks, namely IP/Data and wireless, we are growing very fast. We address monitoring application in most layers of TMN (Telecom Management Network), and all phases of network rollout.

What are the current problems plaguing the T&M industry in India?

“Users consider T&M as an afterthought expense. There is a low motivation to buy T&M as a strategic investment. There is also a lack of regulatory standards for QoS. Besides, a lack of volumes for our manufacturing T&M are the major challenges in India.”

What are your strategies to overcome these problems?

To position T&M as “test and management” - beyond just Test and Measurement is our key strategy. To be able to provide proper perspective on T&M and to be able to offer superior services, like fibre characterization are some of the key elements of Acterna’s strategy.

What are your latest product innovations, how would you differentiate yourself from competition?

Globally, we spend roughly 15 per cent on developing new products in the network test market. Our 10G and 40G SDH testers and extensive IP based testers are some of our star products this year. We also announced Vision 360 Platform for monitoring cable networks.

Specifically, are you developing T&M equipments for Bluetooth, 2.5G/3G, WLANs, etc? Please elaborate.

Our core developments on wireless networks is in the area of protocol and signaling, where we have worked with 2.5/3G technologies in both WAN and LAN applications.

What are your future plans regarding T&M in India?

India, along with many SEA countries and Australia, is growing fast in terms of business in the Asia Pacific region. As the market grows in this part of the world, our investment and commitment will grow ahead of it. This will enable us to diversify our presence beyond marketing, selling and supporting our products.