With the world moving at a frenzied pace, organizations are always looking for quick, secure and hassle-free ways to configure, deploy and manage devices. Traditionally, deploying a new router, switch, or firewall required technicians to be physically present, connect devices, and configure them one by one. This consumed valuable time and resources and negatively impacted a company’s bottom line. All this changes when zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) comes into the picture.
Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) is a process in IT infrastructure deployment where devices are automatically and remotely configured and set up without the need for any kind of manual intervention. These devices could include servers, computers, or network equipment, and the type of provisioning could include the installation of operating systems and applications. When the entire provisioning is done securely with encryption and authentication mechanisms in place to protect sensitive information, it is known as secure ZTP.
How does ZTP really work? Once a device, such as a new router or switch, is powered on at a remote site, it connects to the telecom provider’s provisioning server. It automatically downloads its configuration, security policies, and required software from the centralised server without any manual intervention. After applying these settings, it runs automated tests to ensure connectivity and reports its status back to the central management system. Any further updates, such as patches or policy changes, are pushed remotely. This ensures consistent setups across locations, reduces errors, and saves time.
Let us also look at the specific ways in which ZTP has benefited telecom companies.
manual errors reduced to a minimum – Misconfigurations while setting up telecom networks can result in network instability or even security risks. With ZTP, these can be brought down. This is because, for ZTP, standardised and validated configuration files are used, which leads to a lower likelihood of inconsistencies and mistakes. Take the case of Turkcell, which is one of Turkey’s largest telecom operators. The company needed to scale its network and get devices operational as quickly as possible. They achieved this by teaming up with Cisco. This meant establishing a zero-touch, zero-trust network with two Cisco technologies – Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) and Network Services Orchestrator (NSO). Their deployments scaled quickly, achieving full operational readiness in just 15 minutes, compared to the 30-minute goal they had set.
reduced operational expenditure – With not much manual intervention needed in the case of ZTP, operational expenditure can be reduced to a minimum. This is a far cry from the days when telecom personnel had to be actually present at the sites for provisioning. This reduces the travel expenses and the need for large provisioning teams, resulting in a leaner operating model.
quick deployment at scale – ZTP helps speed up large-scale deployments. Telecom companies often need to deploy large volumes of equipment, such as routers and base station gear, across dispersed locations. If human personnel are required at each of these locations, resources will no doubt be stretched thin. With ZTP, there are no such worries. Devices are shipped directly from the warehouse to the base site. Once these devices are powered up, they self-configure by pulling the necessary software from a central server, making the entire process seamless. A leading North American communications company, ranked among the top five, sought an automated solution for provisioning its new fiber service to accelerate customer setup, reduce resource usage, and maintain high customer satisfaction. It used ZTP and reduced provisioning and activation times by 70%.
enhanced security
ZTP enhances the security of telecom companies by applying security policies, access controls, and encryption keys from a centralised, secure server. With the help of digital certificates or cryptographic checks, it helps in the secure authentication of devices. With this kind of automation, verification, and centralised control in place, telecom companies get a very robust and enhanced security posture.
According to the IMARC Group, the worldwide zero-touch provisioning market stood at US$3.2 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to climb to US$7.2 billion by 2032, reflecting a 9.6% CAGR over 2024–2032. The benefits of ZTP in telecom are transformative, and it has become a necessity for telecom operators to stay competitive in the market. As telecom companies use technologies such as 5G, IoT, and edge computing, ZTP will continue to make its mark. It will serve as a critical enabler of agile, efficient, and customer-centric telecom operations.
how can Infosys BPM help
IBPM empowers Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to streamline and automate their most critical operational processes. By combining advanced process automation, analytics, and AI-driven insights, IBPM helps CSPs improve efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver a better customer experience. Our solutions cover the full lifecycle of telecom operations — from order and provisioning management, inventory and asset tracking, and invoice processing to payment management, cost allocation, dispute resolution, vendor management, and comprehensive reporting.
