The new generation of billing systems: Venkata Turlapati on how automation is changing the telecom industry
An industry expert on automation, analytics, and the future of customer-centric solutions
The telecom industry is going through an era of rapid transformation, driven by evolving customer expectations and increasingly complex business models. Subscription-based services, bundled packages, and hybrid revenue streams have become the industry standard, presenting significant challenges for companies relying on traditional billing systems. These outdated systems struggle to adapt to modern demands, often leading to inefficiencies, operational bottlenecks, and missed opportunities for growth. Modernizing these systems has become critical, enabling telecom operators to streamline operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and remain competitive.
The role of AI and automation
Automation, artificial intelligence and real-time analytics are reshaping telecom billing processes, empowering companies to handle growing complexities with precision and agility. For example, many operators are allocating 15–20% of their revenue toward modernizing network operations and billing systems to better support new services and improve efficiency. Additionally, AI-powered billing systems have shown significant promise. In one of the cases, a leading communications service provider in Asia achieved a 20% reduction in operational costs and a 10% increase in revenue through optimized pricing strategies powered by AI-driven billing processes.
To better understand industry trends, we turned to Venkata Turlapati, a seasoned SAP consultant and thought leader with over 25 years of experience across industries such as technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. His expertise spans AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and revenue management solutions.
Before his work in telecom, Turlapati played a pivotal role in developing AI-powered enterprise solutions at IMG Systems Inc., a technology consulting firm known for its expertise in large-scale digital transformation projects. His contributions at IMG Systems and Verizon Communications reflect his ability to merge cutting-edge automation with practical business applications.
Beyond his consulting work, Turlapati has also made significant contributions to academic research. His books, Business Analytics with AI and Optimizing Intelligent Systems for Cross-Industry Applications, explore the role of AI in decision-making and process optimization, offering insights into how businesses can leverage AI to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining ethical standards. His research papers on AI-driven revenue management and predictive analytics have been widely recognized in the industry, and he has served as a reviewer for leading AI and business intelligence conferences, including ICHAT 2024 and CIS2024.
His contributions extend beyond publications—Turlapati is a senior member of IEEE, an honor held by only 10% of IEEE’s 450,000+ members worldwide. This recognition underscores his technical expertise and leadership in the field of AI-driven enterprise solutions.
The impact of modern billing systems
One of his key actions was spearheading the integration of SAP BRIM (Billing and Revenue Innovation Management) into Verizon’s infrastructure, transforming how the company managed billing and revenue. By creating a unified platform, Turlapati enabled Verizon to automate workflows, enhance accuracy, and significantly shorten billing cycles. His approach also integrated complex revenue models, such as subscription services and hybrid bundles, with pre-sales, installation, and tracking systems.
“We designed a system that not only accommodates today’s needs but is also scalable for the future,” he adds.
The results of these innovations have been transformative. Verizon can now deliver more personalized and reliable services, reducing manual errors and building trust through greater transparency.
“Billing isn’t just a transaction; it’s a point of contact with the customer. When done right, it builds trust and enhances the overall experience,” Turlapati emphasizes.
This customer-centric philosophy has become essential for telecom operators globally as they compete in increasingly crowded markets.
His innovations also incorporated predictive analytics, showcasing the growing role of AI in telecom billing. These tools allow companies to anticipate customer needs, optimize pricing strategies, and improve decision-making, transforming billing systems into strategic assets.
“We’re moving towards systems that don’t just execute tasks — they anticipate and adapt to the needs of the business,” he notes.
This forward-thinking approach ensures that telecom operators are prepared for future challenges while continuing to meet customer expectations.
Looking ahead: The future of telecom billing
The integration of AI and real-time analytics is expected to further revolutionize telecom billing in the near future. Turlapati envisions a future where billing systems not only enhance efficiency but also proactively shape business strategies by identifying opportunities, predicting trends, and responding to evolving market needs.
“The future of billing lies in systems that combine automation with intelligence, driving both growth and customer satisfaction,” he says.
For telecom operators, these advancements represent an opportunity to reimagine billing as a growth driver rather than a back-end function, Turlapati adds.
“By embracing scalable, AI-driven solutions, companies can overcome current operational challenges, improve customer experiences, and position themselves as leaders in a competitive global market.”
