Asia-Pacific operators believe they are not transforming fast enough to meet the demands of customers in the digital era, according to a survey conducted by IDC.
The Amdocs-commissioned research shows that 47% of C-level and other service provider decision makers predict that it will take their companies more than five years to complete a digital transformation.
Around 76% of respondents are dissatisfied with the pace of transformation and believe that the communications industry will be outpaced by other sectors in this regard.
The survey also suggests that 33% of operators in the region still do not have a digital strategy in place. Furthermore while 90% of local respondents believe having a chief digital officer is important to lead and drive such a strategy, only 29% have one.
While operators in the region are executing digital transformation projects, 85% are still conducting them as stand-alone initiatives without alignment to a broader technology roadmap or business strategy.
Operators in the region cite having the right skills to create and implement digital transformation strategies as the factor that would most help the transform into digital service providers, followed by the use of customer experience as a design principle.
“The majority of service providers today are actively working to deploy digital technologies to improve their businesses, but this is happening without a unifying top-level vision and strategy,” IDC research director for telecom and networking EMEA Andy Hicks said.
“They may be able to keep up with other service providers, but they don't think they can keep up in the broader digital world unless they address gaps in digital strategy, skills and leadership. Our research suggests they will source professional services to bridge some of these gaps.”