Approximately two thirds of the operator’s 2009 investment is earmarked to extend and enhance its wireless and wired broadband networks to provide more coverage, speed and capacity. In addition, AT&T said it plans to add close to 3,000 jobs by year’s end in an effort to support accelerating subscriber demand for wireless, broadband and video services.

“Demand for broadband continues to grow as new applications emerge and customers embrace them, leading to data traffic on our network growing more than 50 percent year over year on average,” said AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson in conjunction with the carrier’s 2009 capex announcement. “We expect demand will only escalate when the larger economy rebounds, and AT&T’s continued strong network investment will help ensure that we’re fully ready to support the next wave of economic growth. We recognize the continuing importance of investing in critical network infrastructure, which plays a key role in driving commerce, innovation and job growth.” 

If Mussa’s forecasts are correct, the economy will likely begin to recover by the end of 2009, with global growth bouncing back at a pace of 3. 7 percent next year. And when the economy does trend upward, and consumer spending rebounds in kind, it is imperative that service providers of all shapes and sizes be in position to offer subscribers the advanced communications solutions they demand. That means collaborating with industry partners to introduce next-gen architectures, convergent charging, billing, and service platforms that enable providers to launch new solutions quickly and painlessly as well as to introduce new, future-forward business models like virtual application storefronts.

Enter Oracle, whose extensive catalog of communications products and solutions enables providers to expand their service offerings, improve customer relations and reduce operational expenses even under the most severe budgetary constraints. Oracle offers flexible software-based solutions that transform mission-critical operator requirements including service delivery, service creation, order orchestration, offer management, provisioning, charging, billing, revenue assurance, analytics, customer care, reporting and unified user profiling, offering providers an unparalleled selection of

enterprise and carrier-grade applications, middleware, database technology, and decision-support tools. Small wonder that the world’s top 20 communications companies rely on Oracle—in good times, and in bad.

“Communications companies that invest in their networks, products and services as well as invest in more efficient business processes will be better positioned to meet the challenges arriving with the next wave of competition,” says Arturo Pereyra, Oracle’s director of business development and marketing. “Oracle’s role is to help service providers become more nimble and create IT architectures that are more flexible in order to launch new services, migrate legacy services and prepare for the services that are coming in the years ahead.”

 

COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES have historically proven relatively recession-proof compared to other industries—consumers typically consider voice calling an essential service, and strategic consulting firm CIMI Corporation notes there is also evidence that cable television, including premium channels and video on demand, are somewhat immune to downturns as