Impact of AI on Collaboration Application Pricing in Telco B2B

This document is a technical report that discusses the significant impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the pricing models of collaboration applications within the telecommunications B2B sector. It outlines the transition from traditional per-seat pricing to dynamic, consumption-driven pricing models, necessitated by the integration of AI into services such as Unified Communications-as-a-Service (UCaaS) and Contact Center-as-a-Service (CCaaS). The report details the challenges and opportunities presented by AI workloads, including the variability of compute resources and the complexities of real-time billing. It emphasizes the importance of transparency in pricing and the need for telco B2B teams to collaborate with software vendors and internal IT departments to adapt to these changes. The document also addresses the potential risks associated with token-based pricing models, such as AI bill shock, and highlights the necessity for real-time monetization systems to maintain competitive advantage and customer satisfaction in a rapidly evolving market.