Swisscom Modernizes Network Assurance with Blue Planet’s AI-Driven Unified Platform

Swisscom, Switzerland's leading telecommunications and IT company, has embarked on a significant network modernization effort by selecting Blue Planet, a division of Ciena, to replace its legacy assurance systems. The core of this transformation involves deploying Blue Planet’s Unified Assurance and Analytics (UAA) platform, which will streamline fault and performance management, enhance service reliability, and improve the overall customer experience. This move underscores Swisscom's commitment to staying ahead of the curve in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) and automated operations are becoming indispensable. The Need for Change Swisscom’s decision to upgrade its assurance systems was driven by the limitations of its existing platform, which struggled to support the more flexible and dynamic services required by both consumer and enterprise customers. According to Thomas Zippo, Product Manager Observability Shared Services at Swisscom, the legacy system could no longer keep pace with the company’s rapid network transformation. The new UAA platform is designed to address these challenges by providing a cloud-ready, modern solution capable of handling real-time, AI-driven operations. Key Features of Blue Planet UAA Blue Planet’s UAA integrates fault management, performance monitoring, and analytics into a single, cohesive platform. This unification allows Swisscom’s network and service operations teams to gain a holistic view of the network, making it easier to diagnose and resolve issues across multiple layers and domains. The platform's AI-enabled capabilities automate root cause analysis, correlating performance metrics, faults, and events with specific applications, services, and customers. This not only speeds up troubleshooting but also ensures a more proactive and prescriptive approach to network management. Deployment Phases The rollout of UAA at Swisscom will occur in several phases. Initially, the focus will be on access and transport networks, followed by extensions to mobile backhaul and Business to Business (B2B) services. This phased approach ensures a smooth transition, allowing Swisscom to gradually integrate the new system into its wider operations. Furthermore, the platform will build upon Swisscom’s previous successful deployment of UAA for data center networks, demonstrating the company’s confidence in Blue Planet’s solutions. Collaboration and Standardization Swisscom’s collaboration with Blue Planet extends beyond just the deployment of UAA. The two companies have been working together to advance integration standardization in the network assurance space, contributing to ongoing drafts and discussions within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). This partnership reflects Swisscom’s strategic vision to not only upgrade its own systems but also contribute to the broader evolution of telecom standards. Benefits for Customers The primary beneficiary of Swisscom’s network modernization will be its customer base. With UAA, Swisscom aims to reduce service outages, improve service quality, and enhance the agility of its network operations. The platform’s ability to automate and optimize service delivery will ultimately lead to a more reliable and responsive customer experience, which is critical in today’s fast-paced digital environment. Industry Insights Joe Cumello, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Blue Planet, highlighted the broader implications of Swisscom’s decision. He noted that traditional Operational Support Systems (OSS) are often costly and labor-intensive, making them less suitable for modern, multi-vendor, multi-domain networks. By embracing AI-led operations, Swisscom is setting a precedent for other innovative service providers looking to achieve seamless, end-to-end service lifecycle automation. Cumello emphasized that this shift is essential to maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly evolving telecom landscape. Company Profiles Swisscom: Swisscom is a leading information and communication technology (ICT) provider in Switzerland and holds a strong position as the #2 telecommunications company in Italy through its subsidiaries Fastweb and Vodafone. Known for its sustainable practices, Swisscom is 51% owned by the Swiss Confederation and offers a range of services including mobile, internet, TV, and IT solutions to both private and business customers. Blue Planet: As a division of Ciena, Blue Planet is a pioneer in enabling communication service providers (CSPs) to transition into software-driven, digital businesses. The company's cloud-native OSS platform supports automated network and service operations, facilitating the swift introduction of new services across various network domains. Blue Planet’s expertise in digital transformation has made it a key partner for many of the world’s leading CSPs. Conclusion Swisscom’s adoption of Blue Planet’s UAA marks a significant step towards modernizing its network operations. The new platform’s advanced features and AI capabilities align perfectly with Swisscom’s goals of enhancing reliability and customer satisfaction. This move not only benefits Swisscom but also contributes to the broader development of industry standards. As the telecom sector continues to evolve, this collaboration between Swisscom and Blue Planet serves as a model for how innovative solutions can drive transformation and maintain competitive advantage.