A Communication Service Provider (CSP) is defined as an entity that offers voice and data transmission services, either with its own telecom infrastructure or by using a third-party telecom company’s infrastructure. Internet service providers (ISPs), satellite TV, and cloud software companies could also be categorized and termed as being communication service providers. In fact, a telecom company could also act as a communication service provider. Enterprises need messaging platforms that go beyond SMS and offer rich communication services, WhatsApp, email, push notifications, 2-way SMS, and more on an omnichannel platform that can be integrated with ease into their existing software setup. Enterprise messaging is a lucrative segment that CSPs can exploit and own instead of simply acting as a conduit. There are several ways to achieve ownership, each with its pros and cons.

Table of contents

• Turnkey messaging templates
• Rich communication service in a network-native environment
• CAMARA Network APIs
• CPaaS
• Why CPaaS is the best way to own the enterprise layer of enterprise messaging?
• Conclusion

Turnkey messaging templates

One of the simplest ways of acquiring ownership of the enterprise layer of enterprise messaging is to offer customized messaging templates, with templates differentiated to suit a specific business, such as one set for logistics, another for healthcare, and a third for banking. The drawback is that such packages have limited features and enterprises can easily shift business elsewhere.

Rich communication service in a network-native environment

A better option for CSPs is to implement RCS in a network-native fashion. RCS transforms plain text messaging to interactive ones that work on mobile devices. RCS is tied to the carrier and therefore, the CSP can own the platform because he holds the keys to authentication. The downside is the limited service cope and only a single communication channel.

CAMARA Network APIs

CAMARA permits developers to tap directly into a carrier’s network capabilities through API implementation. This method has inherently higher security such as SIM swap detection, and device location. The messaging platform automatically detects the user’s SIM and verifies it, as well as the location, which permits higher level of security as is required in banking OTPs. The drawback to CAMARA is limited functionality.

CPaaS

Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) is inherently feature-rich, allows omnichannel communications using RCS, 2-way SMS, email, push notifications, voice, video, WhatsApp, and messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger, Viber, WeChat, Telegram and others, linked effortlessly under a single dashboard and with the facility to use any one through any app at the enterprise user’s end. CSPs normally use white-label CPaaS software with a set of SDKs and APIs from the platform provider. They can then integrate their software and enterprise messaging functionalities into the enterprise client’s existing software setup. Users at the enterprise’s end can simply log on to the dashboard, select from any one or more of the channels and communicate. The CSP retains full control over messaging and monetization. Instead of charging per message, CSPs can charge monthly or annual subscription, and charge for various messaging modules on a pay-as-you-go basis, and effectively own the enterprise layer of the enterprise messaging platform. It takes some effort to incorporate APIs into the enterprise’s existing stack, and once they become used to it, it is unlikely such enterprise users will switch platforms or service providers.

Turnkey messaging templates	Rich Communication Service	CAMARA Network APIs	CPaaS
Templated messaging	RCS transforms plain text to interactive text messages. RCS tied to the carrier.	API implementation into a carrier’s network leads to higher security. However, functionality limited	Omnichannel communication through WhatsAPP, RCS, SMS, email, push notification, voice, audio file, documents, video, and messaging platforms like Viber, using a single dashboard. Easy integration into an enterprise’s software setup. Full control over allocation of resources, billing, data analytics. The best option to own enterprise messaging.

Why CPaaS is the best way to own the enterprise layer of enterprise messaging?

CPaaS is the best and most comprehensive, feature-rich platform for a number of reasons:

• It integrates with the carrier’s hardware/software setup seamlessly, and the CPaaS platform also plugs into the enterprise user’s existing software setup.
• Users get access to multi-channel communications through SMS, WhatsApp, email, and push notifications through a single dashboard. Even webhooks for CRM can be incorporated into the setup alongside e-commerce and automation. Enterprises love the fact that conversations across channels can be tracked, stored, monitored, and analyzed, with the facility to respond through any channel as may be picked by their customer.
• Since there is a strong tie-up with a carrier and connections to other carriers, the CPaaS provider’s platform can effortlessly scale up services to meet spikes in loads while assuring the highest levels of security and compliance to rigorous standards like HIPAA and PCI-DSS.
• CSPs retain full control over allocation of features and modules, set limits, track usage, have call data records, and bill in specific currencies for usage and for subscriptions.
• CPaaS has inherent fallback and rerouting facilities, which means messages will be transmitted and delivered to the right recipient.

The more facilities you offer through a simple interface, the more indispensable your enterprise messaging service turns out to be, and the more affordable it is while generating higher ROI on investments, the less likely it is that enterprises will switch. You, as the CSP, retain ownership of the platform while enterprises keep paying for premium messaging services that enhance their brand.

Conclusion

Enabled‘s CPaaS platform serves telecom with its carrier-grade services, and the platform is just as suited to communication service providers. It could be your best choice for long-term assured stability, reliability, performance, and cost-efficiency, giving you full ownership of the enterprise messaging platform if you are running a CSP business. Talk to Enabld’s experts to learn more and how you can get started in just a couple of days.