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By Warren Alberts, Chief Operating Officer at VAS-X
The close of 2025 is not a moment for passive reflection; it is a time to quantify decisive action. This year was not simply one of growth—it was the definitive period when the telecommunications industry was bifurcated: those who are shackled by legacy, and those who are equipped to thrive.
At VAS-X, we didn't merely react to market shifts; we accelerated the market's capabilities with a robust, engineered response.
The Market's Fault Line: Why Legacy is Now an Existential Risk
The competitive landscape of 2025 became a fast-moving, high-stakes environment. With major market consolidations, the intense race for 5G spectrum, and aggressive positioning by digital-native operators, we witnessed the market's fault line emerge.
Any organisation still treating OSS/BSS modernisation as a mere strategic priority is missing the point. It is now the most critical layer of infrastructure, a survival imperative that dictates flexibility and speed.
Perhaps the most potent indicator of this shift was the explosive, decisive growth of the MVNO market. MVNOs are no longer playing catch-up; they're leading the next wave of subscriber innovation, delivering agile, personalised offerings that traditional operators struggle to match. Their advantage? They operate on a superior, streamlined foundation:
- Multi-Tenanted Billing: Zero complexity, maximum efficiency.- Streamlined Onboarding: Instantaneous speed to market.
- Intelligent Pricing & CVM: Precision targeting that rivals cannot match.
The market has shifted toward instant agility—the MVNO-in-a-Box model— an inflection point we prepared for. The question for the industry is: Are you ready to compete at this velocity, or will you remain tethered to the past?
Our Journey: Unwavering Self-Belief in Action
As Colin Powell once said, "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."
Our strategic preparation began in Q4 2024. In Madrid, we conducted the rigorous assessment required of any leader, confronted our vulnerabilities, and developed a comprehensive annual plan. That blueprint became our compass, guiding every decision, challenge, and triumph throughout the past twelve months.
The Strategic Initiatives: Moving with Intent
We made calculated moves to ensure our position as the indispensable partner:
- Talent Restructuring: We drove rigorous cross-skilling and upskilling, transforming our teams into a highly versatile, adaptable, and capable workforce. The X is only as good as the passion and commitment of the engineers who power it.
- Embedded Client Service: We deployed two dedicated technical solution teams directly to major customers. This wasn't merely service; it was the acceleration of their strategic projects, delivering significant, measurable CAPEX efficiencies and proving our loyalty.
- Brand Reinvigoration: We revitalised our brand and collateral to ensure our external presentation reflects the assured, unwavering confidence of our technology.
- Operational Consistency: We embedded automation across every function to amplify our impact, guaranteeing the robust resilience and consistent delivery our clients expect.
Measurable Achievements: The Proof of Excellence
Our focus, intensity, and strategic alignment delivered tangible results:
- Global Recognition: Our inaugural appearance at MWC—a leading industry event—secured key strategic collaborations and validated our position among global industry leaders.
- Customer Advocacy: Improved efficiencies translated directly into stronger CSAT and NPS scores across our client base, the direct result of operational excellence.
- Strategic Consensus: We successfully presented our 2026 roadmap in Portugal, uniting all stakeholders around our shared vision for the converged market.
The 2026 Mandate: Engineering the Future
As we step into 2026, our vision is crystal clear: VAS-X is made by Africans, for Africa, shaping the future and leading innovation in the converged telecommunications market.
We are the essential foundation for MNOs, MVNOs, MVNEs, and ISPs, providing world-class billing, CRM, voucher management, and provisioning solutions trusted by millions of subscribers across the continent.
Our pipeline for H1 2026 is an offensive strategy:
- Next-Generation OSS/BSS Capabilities: Building the foundation for unparalleled operational excellence.- Next-Generation Care Portals: Delivering Enhanced UX that sets the new standard for customer perception.
- A Groundbreaking AI Solution: Leveraging the power of X to deliver intelligence that keeps our clients ahead of the competition.
To our colleagues, customers, and partners: Thank you for your continued support over a remarkable year. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. As we step into 2026, let us move forward united in vision and purpose, confident in what we can achieve together.
