Flevy Management Insights Case Study
5G Deployment Strategy for Telecom in Southeast Asia
     David Tang    |    Value Creation


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TLDR The telecom provider faced stagnant growth and high customer churn due to outdated infrastructure and competition, aiming to lead 5G deployment in Southeast Asia. By expanding 5G coverage and launching innovative services, the organization achieved significant improvements in customer retention and revenue growth, underscoring the importance of a customer-centric and technology-forward approach.

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Consider this scenario: The organization, a leading telecom provider in Southeast Asia, faces a strategic challenge in capitalizing on the value creation opportunities presented by the 5G revolution.

It has observed a stagnant growth rate of 2% in the past year, compounded by a 10% customer churn rate due to increased competition and customer demands for faster, more reliable services. Internally, the company struggles with outdated infrastructure and a lack of skilled workforce to deploy and manage 5G technology efficiently. The primary strategic objective of the organization is to lead the 5G deployment in its market, enhancing network capacity and coverage to meet the rising demand for high-speed internet and support new, innovative services.



The telecom industry in Southeast Asia is on the brink of a transformative change with the introduction of 5G technology, promising unprecedented speed and connectivity. The strategic challenge faced by the organization stems from its inadequate infrastructure and skillset to deploy 5G, along with external pressures from competitors who are also racing to unveil 5G.

External Assessment

The telecom industry is at a critical juncture, with 5G technology set to redefine market dynamics and consumer expectations. The industry is characterized by rapid technological advancements, regulatory changes, and evolving customer needs.

  • Internal Rivalry: High, as major players are aggressively investing in 5G to capture early market share.
  • Supplier Power: Moderate, with few suppliers capable of providing advanced 5G equipment, giving them some leverage.
  • Buyer Power: High, due to customers' increasing demand for faster and more reliable internet services.
  • Threat of New Entrants: Low, given the significant capital requirement and regulatory barriers to entry in the telecom industry.
  • Threat of Substitutes: Moderate, with alternative technologies like satellite internet posing a potential threat to traditional telecom services.

Emergent trends include the increasing consumption of digital content and the rise of smart cities, leading to:

  • Surge in data consumption: This presents an opportunity to offer new, data-intensive services but requires substantial network upgrades.
  • Adoption of IoT technologies: Offering vast opportunities for B2B services, yet demanding robust, low-latency networks.
  • Enhanced customer expectations: Necessitating innovation in customer service and experience but also increasing operational complexity.

A PEST analysis reveals that political and regulatory environments are supportive of 5G deployment, though varying across countries. Economically, the region is ripe for digital transformation, but the high cost of 5G deployment poses a challenge. Socially, there is a strong appetite for advanced digital services. Technologically, the region is catching up with global standards, but disparities in infrastructure readiness remain.

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Internal Assessment

The organization has a strong market presence and customer base, but its internal capabilities are not fully aligned with the demands of 5G technology.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths include a broad customer base and a strong brand. Opportunities lie in leading the 5G rollout and innovating in 5G services. Weaknesses are seen in the outdated infrastructure and skill gaps. Threats include aggressive competition and rapid technological changes.

Distinctive Capabilities Analysis

Success in 5G deployment hinges on technological innovation, strategic partnerships, and operational efficiency. The company needs to upgrade its technological capabilities and foster partnerships with technology providers and government bodies.

Value Chain Analysis

An examination of the value chain highlights inefficiencies in network operations and customer service processes. Addressing these through digital transformation initiatives can significantly enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Network Infrastructure Modernization: Upgrade existing infrastructure to support 5G technology, aiming to achieve nationwide coverage within 5 years. The value creation comes from offering superior connectivity and enabling innovative services, expected to increase market share and customer retention. This initiative requires substantial investment in technology and training for the workforce.
  • Strategic Partnerships for Skill Development: Collaborate with technology providers and educational institutions to develop a skilled workforce capable of managing 5G technology. The value lies in building internal capabilities, essential for the successful deployment and management of 5G networks. Resources needed include partnerships and investment in training programs.
  • Customer-Centric Service Innovation: Develop and launch 5G-based services tailored to customer needs, such as augmented reality and smart home solutions. The source of value creation is in meeting the evolving demands of consumers, expected to drive revenue growth and enhance customer loyalty. This initiative requires market research, product development, and marketing efforts.

Value Creation Implementation KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Efficiency is doing better what is already being done.
     – Peter Drucker

  • 5G Coverage Area: Indicates the success in expanding the 5G network's reach.
  • Customer Retention Rate: An increase in this rate will reflect success in enhancing service quality and meeting market needs.
  • Employee Skill Development Index: Measures the effectiveness of training programs in closing skill gaps.

Monitoring these KPIs provides insights into the strategic plan's effectiveness, highlighting areas of success and those requiring further attention. It helps in making informed decisions to adjust strategies as needed.

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Value Creation Deliverables

These are a selection of deliverables across all the strategic initiatives.

  • 5G Deployment Roadmap (PPT)
  • Strategic Partnership Framework (PPT)
  • Customer-Centric Service Development Plan (PPT)
  • Network Modernization Financial Model (Excel)
  • Workforce Training Program Template (PPT)

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Network Infrastructure Modernization

The organization adopted the Value Chain Analysis framework to guide the Network Infrastructure Modernization initiative. This framework, originally conceptualized by Michael Porter, focuses on dissecting an organization's activities into strategic segments to identify value creation opportunities. It proved invaluable for pinpointing inefficiencies within the company's existing network infrastructure and identifying areas ripe for modernization to support 5G technology. The team executed the framework as follows:

  • Dissected the company's operations into primary and support activities, focusing specifically on inbound logistics, operations, and technology development segments relevant to network infrastructure.
  • Assessed each segment for inefficiencies and bottlenecks that could hinder the deployment and performance of 5G technology, such as outdated hardware and insufficient data handling capabilities.
  • Identified specific areas within the technology development segment where investments in 5G-compatible equipment and software would yield the highest returns in terms of network performance and coverage.

Additionally, the organization utilized the Core Competencies framework to ensure that the modernized network infrastructure would not only support 5G but also align with the company's strategic strengths. This approach, championed by C.K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel, emphasizes leveraging unique strengths that competitors cannot easily imitate. The implementation steps included:

  • Identified the organization's core competencies, such as its expansive customer base and brand reputation, that could be enhanced through superior 5G network coverage and reliability.
  • Aligned the network modernization efforts with these competencies, ensuring that the upgraded infrastructure would enable innovative 5G services that capitalize on the company's market position and customer relationships.

The results of implementing these frameworks were transformative. The Value Chain Analysis enabled the organization to strategically upgrade its network infrastructure, significantly enhancing its 5G deployment capabilities. Concurrently, the Core Competencies framework ensured that these upgrades reinforced the company's market strengths, leading to a robust 5G network that not only met but exceeded customer expectations, thereby solidifying the company's leadership position in the telecom industry in Southeast Asia.

Strategic Partnerships for Skill Development

For the Strategic Partnerships for Skill Development initiative, the organization turned to the Strategic Alliance Framework. This framework facilitates the formation and management of alliances between organizations, focusing on combining resources and capabilities to achieve strategic objectives. It was particularly useful in identifying potential partners with complementary strengths in 5G technology and workforce training. The implementation process involved:

  • Conducted a detailed analysis of potential partners, evaluating their technological expertise, training capabilities, and alignment with the company's strategic goals.
  • Negotiated and formalized alliances with selected technology providers and educational institutions, focusing on shared objectives around 5G skill development.
  • Developed joint programs for training the workforce on 5G deployment and management, leveraging the partners' expertise and resources.

The Knowledge Management Framework was also employed to ensure that insights and skills gained from these partnerships were effectively captured, shared, and applied across the organization. This involved:

  • Establishing a centralized knowledge repository to document training materials, best practices, and lessons learned from the partnership initiatives.
  • Implementing knowledge sharing sessions and workshops to disseminate the acquired 5G knowledge and skills throughout the organization.

The strategic application of these frameworks led to a marked improvement in the organization's 5G deployment capabilities. The Strategic Alliance Framework enabled the formation of beneficial partnerships that addressed the skill gaps in 5G technology. Meanwhile, the Knowledge Management Framework ensured that the value of these partnerships was maximized, resulting in a workforce well-equipped to support the company's 5G ambitions. This strategic approach to skill development significantly accelerated the organization's 5G rollout and enhanced its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving telecom landscape.

Customer-Centric Service Innovation

To drive the Customer-Centric Service Innovation initiative, the organization leveraged the Jobs to be Done Framework (JTBD). JTBD is a tool for understanding customer needs and motivations by focusing on the "jobs" customers are trying to accomplish with a product or service. It was instrumental in identifying innovative 5G services that could uniquely address customer needs. Following this framework, the team:

  • Conducted interviews and surveys with current customers to uncover the underlying jobs they sought to accomplish with telecom services in the context of 5G capabilities.
  • Analyzed customer feedback to identify unmet needs and opportunities for innovative 5G services that could provide unique value.
  • Developed a portfolio of 5G service concepts tailored to the identified customer jobs, prioritizing those with the potential to significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Simultaneously, the organization applied the Service Innovation Framework to ensure that these new 5G services were not only customer-centric but also feasible and scalable. This framework guided the development and implementation of services from concept through to launch. Steps taken included:

  • Evaluated the technical feasibility and market viability of the proposed 5G service concepts.
  • Designed pilot projects for the most promising services to test their effectiveness in meeting customer needs and their operational scalability.
  • Refined and rolled out successful service innovations across the market, incorporating customer feedback to enhance service offerings continuously.

The integration of the JTBD and Service Innovation Frameworks resulted in the launch of several groundbreaking 5G services that deeply resonated with customers. These services not only met existing customer needs but also anticipated future demands, significantly boosting customer engagement and loyalty. This strategic focus on customer-centric innovation established the organization as a leader in 5G service offerings, differentiating it in a competitive market and driving sustainable growth.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Expanded 5G network coverage to 80% of the targeted nationwide area within the first year, surpassing the initial goal by 10%.
  • Increased customer retention rate by 15%, reversing the previous 10% churn rate due to enhanced service quality and innovative 5G offerings.
  • Improved Employee Skill Development Index by 40%, reflecting the successful upskilling of the workforce in 5G technology and management.
  • Launched five new customer-centric 5G services, including augmented reality and smart home solutions, leading to a 20% increase in customer engagement.
  • Achieved a 25% growth in B2B services revenue, attributed to the adoption of IoT technologies and support for smart city initiatives.

The strategic initiatives undertaken by the organization to lead the 5G deployment in Southeast Asia have yielded significant results, notably in network coverage, customer retention, workforce skill development, and revenue growth. The expansion of 5G coverage and the launch of innovative services directly addressed the stagnant growth and customer churn issues, demonstrating the effectiveness of a customer-centric and technology-forward approach. However, the results were not without challenges. The high cost of network infrastructure modernization and the initial skill gaps in the workforce presented hurdles that were overcome through strategic partnerships and focused training programs. While successful on many fronts, the initiative could have benefited from an even stronger emphasis on digital transformation to streamline operations and further reduce costs. Additionally, exploring alternative, cost-effective technologies for 5G deployment might have accelerated network expansion and reduced the financial burden.

For the next steps, it is recommended that the organization continues to expand its 5G network coverage to reach the remaining 20% of the targeted area, focusing on rural and underserved regions to build a truly nationwide network. Further investment in customer-centric service innovation should be prioritized, leveraging customer feedback to refine existing services and identify new opportunities. Additionally, the company should explore partnerships with fintech companies to enhance its service offerings, such as introducing 5G-enabled mobile payment solutions. Strengthening the organization's digital transformation efforts, particularly in automating network operations and customer service processes, will be crucial in sustaining growth and maintaining competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving telecom landscape.

Source: 5G Deployment Strategy for Telecom in Southeast Asia, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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