Burke, J. (2019). Leveraging mission critical communications as a managed service [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien; Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2019.68505
The objective of this master thesis is to investigate potential business models for Mission Critical Communications (MCC), taking into consideration evolving user organisation requirements requiring high speed data, spectrum limitations, current mobile broadband functionality and performance issues which make partnerships with commercial Mobile Network Operators an attractive option. At the time of writing, most MCC networks are owned by user organisations and operated as a managed service by subsidiaries of, or consortiums made up of telecommunications manufacturers and local partners, if not operated by the user organisation themselves. Mobile broadband offers high data rates but operates on higher frequencies and lower transmission power settings than existing MCC systems, therefore requiring considerably more network infrastructure for similar performance. For most MCC user organisations that require ubiquitous coverage, the cost of owning a dedicated broadband network is prohibitive and therefore partnerships with commercial Mobile Network providers or other options have to be considered. User requirements are examined, potential service delivery frameworks analysed and appropriate business models are evaluated. Hybrid models are examined and the relative merits of the various delivery frameworks and business models are evaluated from the user organisation and operator perspectives. Focusing on the managed service model, the tendering process is investigated and methods to fulfil user requirements and demonstrate this competence as a presales activity are discussed. Methods of maintaining superior customer satisfaction, executive and operational, are analysed while KPIs to be monitored and measures taken to retain customers once the service is running are developed.