The software-as-a-service (SaaS) model is poised to change the way telcos manage and operate their networks — but only if they can overcome their fears about security when using the public cloud. To address those concerns, Nokia engaged Ascribe to develop a white paper making the case for telecom SaaS.

How Ascribe helped

Telecom SaaS provides on-demand access to critical network management and operation functions as a cloud-based subscription service, rather than traditional on-premises software. It empowers telcos with new levels of efficiency and agility. But the fact these solutions are based in the public cloud is a cause for concern for telcos. Given how critical their networks are to people and businesses, they can’t risk unauthorized data access and disclosure.

To explain how telecom SaaS is just as secure as on-premises software, Nokia worked with Ascribe on a first-of-its-kind white paper debunking the four primary areas of concern for telcos: data security, data privacy, data residency and data sovereignty. What made this paper unique for Nokia is that it incorporated not just perspectives from the company’s own SaaS experts, but also those from the three leading cloud service providers: AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure.

Working from a rough outline provided by Nokia, we prepared interview questionnaires for the subject-matter experts from all four companies. We then hosted an in-depth discussion with each to fill content gaps, clarify certain concepts and get the insights needed to develop our own expanded outline. With approval on the outline from all parties involved, we proceeded to develop an engaging and informative 15-page white paper that incorporated quotes from the experts we interviewed. Our team also attended feedback calls with Nokia and AWS representatives to ensure all content in the paper was factually correct and could pass through each company’s extensive legal review process.

The final white paper, Telcos, it’s time to value SaaS: Demystifying SaaS and public cloud security, was published in early 2023. Our team also contributed to several other pieces as part of a broader Nokia campaign promoting telecom SaaS, including a series of blogs/articles, a brochure, an internal sales presentation on how to handle customer objections, and an overarching e-book tying all the messaging together.

Deliverable: Marketing campaign

Our process:

• Background material review
• Questionnaire development
• Content-gathering interviews with subject-matter experts
• Detailed content outline
• Writing and revisions