Does Your Test Partner Need to Be a Telco Expert?

End-to-end testing—it’s all the rage right now in any number of industries, and with good reason. As global technologies become more connected and more thoroughly interwoven into the fabric of society, more thorough and efficient testing will become not just a luxury, but a necessity.

As such, it should come as no surprise that a number of testing automation providers have cropped up in the past few years, covering everything from software security to telecoms.

This, too, makes sense on the surface: how different could testing solutions for different industries really be? If you can automate verification for a new social media platform, why can’t you do the same for VoIP verification?

Unfortunately, in reality it’s not that simple. Testing from one domain to another involves different sets of challenges and radically different domain knowledge. Even if the basic principals are the same, the particulars are going to vary enough that you’ll really want to partner with someone who is more than just an end-to-end test factory.

If you’re a telco service provider or network operator, you’ll want to seek out a testing provider with specific, in-depth domain knowledge. Why? We’re glad you asked…

Unique Challenges in Telecom Testing

As the global telecom sphere evolves, it’s not just service itself that becomes more complicated—it’s testing and service verification as well. Every year, user expectations are becoming more exacting and networks themselves are getting more complicated.

Even as 5G slowly becomes more and more available, legacy telephony continues to be a major part of the landscape, meaning that in order to verify service for a given device, network, function, etc. testers need to run through more individual use cases than ever.

Of course, this increased complexity makes the use cases themselves more complicated from a testing perspective, meaning that they’re becoming more time consuming at the same time that they’re proliferating.

Given all the above, it’s no wonder companies are seeking outsourced testing solutions. At the same time, the very factors that are pushing people to automate tests are also a clear signal of the importance of an automation provider with strong domain knowledge.

Let’s say you’re testing VoLTE after a recent rollout of updates in your core network. A generalized testing provider might use simulation to verify VoLTE functionality, but they’re unlikely to have the actual out-of-the-box iOS and Android devices that your users will be utilizing. 

As a result, small differences in the simulation vs. reality might lead you to miss small changes in latency times (which can result in a big difference in perceived quality of service for VoLTE users); by the same token, they might not test interworking towards legacy devices and networks. Thus, when you take the updates live you might find that some of your users on older devices aren’t able to access your network, while VoLTE users aren’t getting the voice quality they expect.

Creating Project Alignment

In the example above, a testing automation provider with telco domain knowledge would have (hopefully) had not just the right equipment on hand to verify service for your various use cases (e.g. out-of-the-box iOS and Android devices), but the experience to ensure interoperability tests and verification for legacy devices.

This is valuable enough on its face, but it also suggests another way in which domain knowledge itself (in addition to services provided) is a driver of value.

Although end-to-end test automation has only just recently become a buzzword, service verification outsourcing has been occurring in the telco industry for many years—and the result has been that finding knowledgeable resources has become harder than ever both within and outside these companies.

The implications here are two-fold: first, that if you don’t have robust testing framework already in place, you’ll necessarily rely on your vendor to provide such a framework. If your partner in this process can provide automation but isn’t able to develop a domain-specific set of use cases, the necessary knowledge to reach minimum acceptable test coverage might prove difficult to come by.

Second, if you’re in a position where your in-house testing expertise has largely vanished, there is fairly obvious value to be gained by partnering with someone who can provide a repeatable framework that yields sufficient documentation for you to regain some control over your service verification.

For this to be effective, telco operators need a company that can speak their language. If your testing solution provider doesn’t have telco specific expertise, they won’t have the language with which to communicate effectively before or after testing about your particular concerns and areas of interest.

Beyond End-to-End Testing

So far, we’ve seen a number of ways in which telecom expertise can make testing more comprehensive and thus more valuable in the short and long term.

But is it just about the ability to manage ever-growing complexity and to do so in a way that allows easy collaboration and transparency—or is there another level of testing sophistication that can only be powered by those who have a complete view of the entire telco structure, from high-level strategic and corporate concerns to specific engineering challenges?

As you might have guessed, the answer is “yes.” Sure, a generic testing automation provider might be able to adequately offer end-point service verification (i.e. end-to-end), but what about the level beyond that?

With real telco expertise, it’s possible to automate not just verification at end-points, but between them, i.e. what’s happening at the level of network elements, switches, packets, and signals. Even in cases where call, text, or email appears to have gone through as normal, there may (for instance) be signaling errors that a “normal” testing solution would have no way to catch.

You might be thinking that there isn’t too much added value to be extracted here, but in point of fact these sorts of “invisible” errors can be harbingers of issues that could crop up during later usage.

By tracking them and offering reporting that documents them, you improve test coverage well beyond what would have been possible under other circumstances. By increasing coverage in this way, you potentially improve the quality of your network in a way that would be functionally impossible without a high degree of telco expertise.

Search

Interested in our Products ?

Scroll to Top
Segron logo black blue

Senior SaaS System Administrator

Technical Skills :
  • Oversee the sysadmin related tasks in our SaaS infrastructure (partially cloud based, partially bare metal)
  • Daily operation and maintenance of the system
  • Analysing and resolving incidents
  • Follow and help improving the incident and change management procedures
  • Design procedures for system troubleshooting and maintenance
  • Incorporating base OS updates and security patches
  • Ensure that systems are safe and secure against cybersecurity threats by raising change requests where potential threat is possible
  • Performing SW updates for the Segron SaaS SW stack (distributed architecture with clusters)
  • Configuring solutions like reverse proxy, firewalls, etc.
  • Building tools to automate procedures & reduce occurrences of errors and improve customer experience
  • Tutoring & coaching newcomers & less senior experts in the team
  • Interworking with the architects and IT admins of Segron to have the SaaS procedures inline with the Segron processes
Non-technical skills:
  • We are looking for a self-motivated, self-improving individual with a highly independent mindset and open and straightforward technical communication to help us to improve and maintain our cloud infrastructure of our powerful end-to-end testing solution ATF (Automated Testing Framework)
  • 3+ years hands-on experience with operation and monitoring of cloud / linux systems
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience with network devops elements: configuring routers, switches, networks
  • Hands-on experience with running live systems with infrastructure as a code mode of operation
  • Specific knowledge which brings direct advantage: Docker, Docker Compose, Grafana, Prometheus, Ansible, Debian Linux OS administration, Security
  • Experience in building and maintaining distributed systems (incl. redundancy, resiliency, load-balancing) is welcome
  • Excellent knowledge of English
Location :
  • Place of work: Bratislava (partially home office possible)
  • Rate: from 30 EUR/hour (possible higher rate, depends on experience)
Segron logo - The Next Generation of Active Testing
Segron logo black blue

CI/CD Senior Developer

Technical Skills :
  • A senior role with a proven expertise in software development, cloud computing, DevOps, and CI/CD
  • Experience in planning, designing, and overseeing the CI/CD strategy and architecture on the level of organization
  • Ability to tailor testing strategies which define and follow the best practices, standards, and policies for the software delivery process
  • Hands-on experience in creating and managing CI/CD pipelines and workflows (PaaC)
  • Ability to evaluate and recommend the best tools, technologies, and methodologies for the CI/CD implementation
  • Prior hands-on experience working with different CI/CD toolsets (Jenkins, Bitbucket, GitLab, artifactory, Ansible ..)
  • Proficient with DevOps tools API automation capabilities
  • Proficient with Atlassian Tools (BitBucket, Jira, Confluence) and agile SW development methodologies
  • Familiar with cloud patterns and best practices
  • Familiar with web performance best practices
  • Comfortable working in cloud DevOps ecosystem
  • Comfortable working with Linux platforms
  • Initial working experience in SW development is an advantage.
Non-technical skills:
  • Effective communication with technical as well and business stakeholders
  • Self-motivating, self-improving mindset
  • Ownership of relevant industry certificates is a plus
Location :
  • Location: Bratislava, Slovakia (with hybrid flexibility)
  • Rate: from 30 EUR/hour (possible higher rate, depends on experience)
Segron logo - The Next Generation of Active Testing
Segron logo black blue

Test Automation Engineer

Job description, responsibilities:

Hardware Testing: Conduct verification and testing of hardware during the HW/SW products
assembly process.
Technical Support: Provide technical assistance during testing activities and troubleshoot any
hardware issues that arise. Support to internal teams and customers by managing priorities and
meeting deadlines.
Equipment Maintenance: Configure and maintain SEGRON laboratory and customer equipment.
Logistics Support: Handle hardware ordering and logistics.
Troubleshooting: Analyze and resolve SEGRON product issues through effective problem-solving.
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise during the integration process.
Collaboration: Work with the SEGRON Development Team on product or software issues and assist
the Project Team with planned activities.
Root Cause Analysis: Investigate production errors to identify underlying causes.
Software Deployment: Implement software updates and fixes.
Team Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, especially in serving global
customers.

Requirements/ Skills:

Networking knowledge: Understanding TCP/IP networks and LAN/WAN configurations. Routing and
switching and related protocols strongly desired.
Hardware Proficiency: Understanding of hardware components, including servers, routers, and
peripherals, to ensure proper assembly and integration. Experience in data centers is a plus.
Travel Abilities: Willing to travel for customer on-site support for hardware installations, migrations,
upgrades, troubleshooting, etc. (few times a year, 3-5 days)
Hand Tools: Proficiency in using hand tools like screwdrivers, pliers, crimpers, and punches for
assembling and disassembling components.
Operating Systems: Knowledge of Linux and Windows. VM experience (Hyper-V, VMWare, Oracle
Virtual Box, Proxmox etc.)
Tools Proficiency: Basic understanding of Ansible.
Telecommunications Experience: Previous experience in the telecom sector is a plus.
Education: Degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent work experience.
Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience preferred. A strong desire to continuously
improve skills and knowledge in hardware and software integration, with an openness to feedback and
new ideas. Key is openminded person willing to learn fast in great team.
Communication Skills: Effective oral and written Eng

Others:

• Full time job (employment)
• Onsite work during onboarding period, then it can be 3 days onsite, 2 days home office
Offered salary: from 2000 Euro (depends on seniority and skills level)
Variety of financial benefits
Place of work: Bratislava

Segron logo - The Next Generation of Active Testing
Segron logo black blue

Senior Python Developer

Technical Skills :

  • A solid, experienced SW developer with at least 10 years of experience in active SW development in different programming paradigms
  • Minimum 5 years of professional Python development experience
  • Master or college degree from Computer Science, Mathematics or STEM domain
  • Well educated in design and programming patterns that increase software’s efficiency and readability.
  • Very good analytical and problem solving skills.
  • At least three skills out of the following 4 skills are requested:
    • Microservices based architectures (Docker containers)
    • Linux
    • Ansible
    • Robot  Framework
  • Comfortable with sysadmin and DevOps skills (Ansible, YML files, Network Programming, IP protocols, designing and developing proxy servers for different protocols – example: streaming, integrating and compiling third party libraries on Linux (Debian))
  • Proficient with Atlassian Tools (BitBucket, Jira, Confluence) thorough understanding of Git and version control best practices
  • Familiar with cloud patterns and best practices
  • Familiar with web performance best practices

Non-technical skills:

  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to abstract and explain your work
  • Strong understanding of Agile development process and experience working in an agile team
  • Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Location :
  • Bratislava, Slovakia (with hybrid flexibility)
  • Rate: from 35 EUR/hour (possible higher rate, but depends on experience)
Segron logo - The Next Generation of Active Testing