Yankee Group has announced that the Business Control Layer is a key new technology in driving Service Provider innovation. The Business Control Layer concept, originally conceived by leading telecom billing and CRM company, FTS (LSE: FTS), is gaining traction as a variety of industry observers, including Yankee Group promote the importance of this new sector.

According to the Yankee Group report ‘Next generation Business Control Can Drive Service Innovation through Dynamic Usage Based Pricing and Greater Service Management’, today’s communications markets are reaching a level of maturity which creates the need for more dynamic service offerings. The report takes a closer look at the move to a more innovative service delivery environment, potential business offerings created by flexible service delivery and the role that a dynamic Business Control Layer can play as part of the experience.

“Service Providers are encouraged to take advantage of the axiom that ‘not all customers are created equally’ by delivering tiered services and bundles that best fit different customer types,” noted the report’s co-author Paul Hughes, Vice President of Communications Software Strategies, Yankee Group. “We also stress the importance of real-time interaction with the customer as a way to increase satisfaction whilst making the most of targeted cross-sell and up-sell opportunities, especially in cases where there is the opportunity to increase average revenue per customer.”

Service Providers are advised to re-evaluate the service management capabilities of their OSS/BSS infrastructure and how it links to existing web self-service or CRM front end interfaces. A new dynamic Business Control Layer must be in place to ensure that customers demanding greater service bandwidth, service extension, or real-time service updates can be managed effectively.

The report highlights an innovative live implementation of a Business Control Layer solution at Telenet, a leading Belgian cable operator. It demonstrates how FTS’ Business Control Layer solution allows their multi-service customers manage their services in real-time, increasing carrier revenue, reducing OPEX, while creating a better user experience for the consumer.

About Yankee Group
Yankee Group is the expert in navigating the global connectivity revolution. For more than 35 years, Yankee Group’s strategic vision, research and analysis, quantified market intelligence and credible advice have been guiding innovation and empowering our clients to make critical business decisions. Headquartered in Boston, Yankee Group has a presence throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. www.yankeegroup.com

About FTS
FTS (LSE: FTS) is a provider of Business Control, Billing and CRM solutions for Communications Service Providers. FTS pioneered the Business Control Layer market and is the leading player in the space. By analyzing events from a business standpoint rather than just billing them, FTS allows Providers to better understand their customer base and leverage business value from every event and interaction. FTS deploys its full range of end-to-end, stand-alone and add-on solutions to customers in over 40 countries and has implemented solutions in wireless, wireline, cable, content and broadband markets including multiple cross-network installations. Serving the evolving needs of both traditional and next generation service providers, the company’s operations comprise four international R&D locations and strategically-located sales support offices worldwide.

In January 2006, FTS was ranked as the 54th fastest growing technology company on the 2005 Deloitte Technology Fast-500 EMEA.

For more information please visit www.fts-soft.com.