Nokia has introduced Ava Charging software-as-a-service (SaaS) to help communication service providers (CSPs) and enterprises quickly commercialise offerings for 5G and IoT use cases.

Using software consumed on demand through a subscription-based model, Ava Charging incorporates business intelligence derived from hundreds of customer engagements to enable fast monetisation of 5G and IoT services. Ava provides intelligence through AI, machine learning, no code configuration, open APIs, multi-cloud orchestration and digital ecosystems.

Ava Charging can speed up time to market for new CSP services through automation and no-code charging configurability; is scalable, supporting environments in excess of 150 million subscribers; and can be used by CSP’s to monetise consumer services such as cloud gaming, as well as enterprise services for vertical markets, including utilities, logistics and healthcare.

The SaaS offering can be integrated with 5G standalone core network functions in a multivendor environment to support commercial charging models based on various factors, including low latency, high throughput, device density and location. It can be deployed quickly for CSPs and enterprises and avoids the hassle of on-site software maintenance and updates.

It can also be supplied as part of Nokia-Qvantel digital monetisation-as-a-service, which combines Qvantel’s Flex BSS and Nokia Ava Charging. This provides a fast- track approach for CSPs to have a separate BSS stack to support 5G opportunities and enjoy the faster time to market and agility enabled by no-code configurability.

Mark Bunn, senior vice president at Nokia, said: “This latest addition to our SaaS arsenal supports CSPs and enterprises in having a dynamic digital infrastructure through 5G network components delivered as SaaS; and provides them with the necessary pay-as-you-go, pay-as-you-grow commercial model to help them reach their desired business outcomes.”

Ava Charging is Nokia’s eighth SaaS service, following launches earlier this year that included Ava Network Data Analytics Function and Ava for Energy. Ava stands for automation, visualisation and analytics.

John Abraham, principal analyst at Analysys Mason, said: “Nokia’s timely offer of a SaaS based no-code charging will accelerate monetisation for CSPs who realise the need to transform their charging systems for 5G, but hesitate due to lengthy BSS transformation cycles and 5G network integration complexities.”