Interview with our Head of the Telecom Business Unit: Why CSPs are trusting Readiness IT with their Telco transformation projects

We are finding common ground between Insourcing and Outsourcing—a conversation with Nuno Barroso, Head of the Telecom Business Unit at Readiness IT.

In today’s telecom panorama, the distinction between insourcing and outsourcing is becoming mixed, as consultants from third parties often integrate into Communications Service Providers (CSPs), acting almost like internal teams. With the growing demand for technical skills, CSPs are turning to trusted partners to support their Telco transformation journeys.

We spoke with Nuno Barroso, Head of the Telecom Business Unit at Readiness IT, to explore how the company has become a trusted partner for many CSPs, delivering crucial IT expertise and specialists for large-scale Telco transformation projects.

Interview with our Head of the Telecom Business Unit

Interviewer: Nuno, in today’s telecom industry, why do you think the distinction between insourcing and outsourcing is becoming less defined?

Nuno Barroso: It’s something we’re seeing more and more with our CSP clients. As the industry moves forward, the complexity of the required skill sets has grown exponentially. In the past, CSPs would typically outsource specific functions and maintain a clear boundary between internal and external resources. But now, especially with critical roles like software engineering, DevOps, etc., external vendors like Readiness IT are embedded directly into the CSP’s day-to-day operations.

Our teams aren’t just providing services from a distance; they are actively collaborating with internal CSP teams. We often work side by side with them, participate in strategic meetings, and help shape the direction of their strategic projects. This creates a situation where we’re almost like an extension of their internal workforce, even though we remain external consultants.

Interviewer: How does this thin line between insourcing and outsourcing benefit CSPs in their Telco transformation efforts?

Nuno Barroso: It’s incredibly beneficial because it provides CSPs with the flexibility to scale quickly and access specialized expertise without the long lead times of hiring full-time employees. With Telecom transformation, there’s a need for agility. CSPs need to move fast, especially when it comes to areas like B2B Marketplaces, Customer Digital Journey, and Experience, Digital Architecture, system integrations and application development and management. By bringing in experts like our teams at Readiness IT, they get immediate access to specialized knowledge and skills that might take many months or even years to build internally.

Furthermore, this approach allows CSPs to maintain control over critical projects while leveraging our outside perspective and technical expertise. They’re not simply handing off projects to us; they’re collaborating with us to ensure successful execution. This partnership model is becoming essential for CSPs who want to remain competitive in such a fast-evolving industry.

Interviewer: You mentioned the growing need for specialized skills. What are the key areas where Readiness IT is supporting CSPs?

Nuno Barroso: The demand for specialized skills has never been higher. At Readiness IT, we focus on key areas such as digital architects, application and integration architects, software development, systems integration, DevOps, and many more, which are all critical for CSPs undergoing digital transformation. Our teams are heavily involved in platform development, where we help build the backbone of new digital services, enabling CSPs to offer new customer experiences more quickly and efficiently. We also play a pivotal role in Consulting Services, supporting our clients in digital maturity assessments, qualifying their transformation projects, and providing advisory and operational support throughout the entire process.

At Readiness IT, we focus on key areas such as digital architects, application and integration architects, software development, systems integration, DevOps, and many more (…)

Interviewer: As Telco transformation projects continue to grow in complexity, how do you ensure that Readiness IT’s teams are equipped with the latest skills and technology expertise?

Nuno Barroso: Continuous learning and development are at the core of our strategy. The telecom industry is moving fast, especially with technologies like 5G, AI, and cloud-native platforms. To stay ahead, we invest heavily in upskilling and reskilling our teams, ensuring they are always at the forefront of new technologies and methodologies. We partner with tech leaders, attend industry forums, and participate in specialized training programs. This approach not only ensures our consultants bring cutting-edge knowledge to client projects but also allows us to quickly adapt to new challenges.

We are proud to be a member of TMForum, following industry best practices and regularly participating in TMForum events. We make a significant investment in training our people in TMF standards, and this year, we reached the top spot on the leaderboard for the highest number of trainings completed, particularly in areas such as ODA and Open APIs. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to excellence and staying ahead in the market.

Interviewer: How does Readiness IT balance long-term engagements with CSPs while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing project needs?

Nuno Barroso: That’s a crucial aspect of what we do. While many of our projects with CSPs span multiple years, we build our teams with agility in mind. Our approach is modular – meaning we can scale up or down as needed and reallocate resources to new priorities as they emerge. Flexibility is a key strength, and it allows us to respond to the evolving needs of CSPs, whether it’s adopting a new cloud platform or integrating the latest AI tools. By maintaining this adaptability, we ensure that our clients can pivot quickly without losing momentum in their transformation journeys.

We are proud to be a member of TMForum, following industry best practices and regularly participating in TMForum events. We make a significant investment in training our people in TMF standards (…)

Conclusion

Interviewer: Nuno, as we wrap up, what’s the one message you’d like to leave with CSPs who are considering partnering with Readiness IT for their Telco transformation projects?

Nuno Barroso: My key message is that Readiness IT is more than just a service provider—we are an innovation partner. We don’t just bring technical expertise; we bring a commitment to your success. In an era where Telco transformation is the key to staying competitive, having a partner who understands both the telecom industry and the technologies driving it forward is crucial. We are here to support CSPs at every stage of their journey, from platform development to integration, ensuring they remain leaders in this fast-paced digital landscape.

Interviewer: Thank you, Nuno, for your insights and for sharing how Readiness IT is helping CSPs navigate their transformation challenges.

12+ years of professional experience in Telecom Industry and BSS/OSS projects to support Customer, Business, Operational oriented Process of a Tier 1, 2, 3 CSP.

Since 2016 involved in Telco Digital Transformation Programs as Solution Architect reengineering business and operational process; redefining systems maps, functional and technical architectures; rethinking information models and applying systems integration best practices aligned with TMForum Frameworx and lately with the Open Digital Architecture. Broad experience implementing solutions to support Fulfillment, OS&R and PLM process through Product, Customer, Service and Resource domains as part of the transformation journey from CSP to DSP.