As CSPs face challenges such as fragmented data, declining margins, and the need for massive infrastructure investments, AI offers potential for revenue growth and operational transformation. However, the fragmented and siloed nature of telco data complicates AI adoption, often leading to incomplete or inconsistent datasets that cause AI inaccuracies. Mediation systems, positioned centrally in the network data flow, provide a unique architectural advantage by collecting, normalizing, enriching, and governing diverse data sources.

This report traces the evolution of mediation from a billing-focused function to a versatile data operations platform capable of supporting enterprise-grade AI. It highlights the limitations of legacy mediation systems and advocates for modern, cloud-native data ops platforms that can handle real-time processing and complex data integration.

The paper also outlines key capabilities mediation must demonstrate to support AI, such as data quality checks, audit trails, and real-time inferencing. Finally, it emphasizes the strategic importance of selecting mediation vendors with deep telecom expertise and alignment with AI enablement goals, positioning mediation as a foundational element for CSPs’ AI transformation journeys.

This report is free to read, courtesy of CSG.