Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa: Building Data Capacity That Drives Revenue

Data operations are at the heart of every customer-focused business, but too often, they're bogged down by talent gaps, implementation challenges, and external disruptions. The right Build-Operate-Transfer partner can streamline data team building, making it easier to source expertise, deploy models, and achieve measurable results without the usual friction. Finding the best partner isn't just about technical skills—it's about how well they adapt to your business challenges. The right team should reduce time-to-implementation, ensure model effectiveness, and maintain momentum even during unprecedented challenges.

By choosing the right B-O-T partner, companies can eliminate sourcing bottlenecks, accelerate CVM operations, and build data capabilities that scale. The key is finding a team that integrates seamlessly with your existing infrastructure and drives revenue growth rather than just filling positions.

What to look for in a data team partner

Not all outsourcing partners are created equal. The best partnerships are designed to remove friction, not add to it. The right partner won't just provide data scientists—they will help create a more effective, revenue-driving, and resilient operation. When evaluating your options, keep these key factors in mind:

• Specialized expertise – The team needs deep knowledge in Customer Value Management and data modeling.

• Rapid deployment – Fast assembly of qualified talent without compromising quality.

• Resilience under pressure – The partnership must withstand major disruptions and adapt quickly.

• Transparent collaboration – Full visibility into operations and model development is essential.

• Measurable impact – Results must translate directly to revenue growth and customer engagement.

"Good partnerships aren't about having more vendors—it's about having the right team invested in your success."

How Virgin Mobile scaled their CVM operation

A well-executed Build-Operate-Transfer engagement can be the difference between a data operation that stalls and one that drives exponential revenue growth. But finding the right partner is only part of the solution. Companies also need clear objectives, strong integration, and a mindset shift toward collaborative problem-solving. Simply hiring data scientists won't eliminate inefficiencies if the underlying challenges of model application and execution remain unaddressed.

To truly scale their CVM capabilities, Virgin Mobile took a structured approach to evaluating their needs, selecting the right partner, and ensuring successful implementation. The goal wasn't just to add data talent—it was to create a system that removes bottlenecks, accelerates model deployment, and drives measurable business outcomes. Here's how they did it:

1. Identified core data challenges – Virgin Mobile pinpointed the need for specialized CVM expertise and recognized gaps in sourcing and applying advanced data models during the pandemic.

2. Partnered with specialized talent – Starting in October 2019, uSoftware assembled a dedicated Data Science team focused on initiating Virgin Mobile's CVM data operation.

3. Ensured seamless integration – The team worked transparently within Virgin Mobile's existing infrastructure, maintaining full visibility throughout development.

4. Delivered through disruption – Despite pandemic challenges in 2020, the partnership maintained momentum and successfully deployed effective data models.

When the right B-O-T partner is in place, data operations become transformative. Instead of struggling with talent gaps, implementation delays, or vendor opacity, companies can stay focused on what really matters—driving customer value and revenue growth.

Results:

• 3.12x growth in CVM revenue from Q1 2021 to Q2 2022

• 2.2x growth in CVM revenue from Q2 2021 to Q2 2022

• Expanded to 7 dedicated team members working on data streams and marketing automation