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Company focus

Lumen
Product Trade-Off Hard Member-only

Should Lumen prioritize expanding its fiber network coverage or improving existing network speeds for current customers?

Prepared by NextSprints

15 mins
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Strategic Decision-Making Data Analysis Market Assessment Telecommunications Internet Service Providers Enterprise Technology Product Strategy Customer Retention Market Expansion Network Infrastructure Telecom
Product Management Trade-Off Question: Lumen fiber network expansion versus speed improvement for existing customers

Introduction

The trade-off between expanding Lumen's fiber network coverage and improving existing network speeds for current customers is a critical decision that will shape our company's future. This scenario involves balancing growth with customer satisfaction, technological advancement with resource allocation, and short-term gains with long-term strategy. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining key business factors, user impact, technical considerations, and potential outcomes.

Analysis Approach

I'd like to start by asking a few clarifying questions to ensure we're aligned on the context and constraints of this decision. Then, I'll walk you through my analysis framework, covering product understanding, hypothesis formation, metrics identification, experiment design, and ultimately, a recommendation with next steps.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

  • Context: I'm thinking our current market position might influence this decision. Could you share our current market share and how it compares to our main competitors?

Why it matters: Helps determine if growth or retention should be prioritized Expected answer: We're the third-largest provider with 15% market share Impact on approach: If we're far behind, it might justify aggressive expansion

  • Business Context: Based on our revenue model, I assume fiber services are our main profit driver. How does the profitability of new customers compare to upselling existing ones?

Why it matters: Informs whether to focus on acquisition or retention Expected answer: New customers are more profitable in the long run Impact on approach: Might lean towards expansion if significantly more profitable

  • User Impact: I'm curious about our current customer satisfaction levels. What's our Net Promoter Score, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?

Why it matters: Indicates urgency of improving existing service Expected answer: NPS of 30, slightly below industry average of 35 Impact on approach: Lower NPS might prioritize improving current network

  • Technical: Considering the rapid advancements in fiber technology, what's our current network's capacity for speed improvements without major infrastructure changes?

Why it matters: Determines feasibility and cost-effectiveness of speed improvements Expected answer: 20-30% speed increase possible with software optimizations Impact on approach: High potential for improvement might favor this option

  • Resource: I'm wondering about our current team structure. How are our engineering resources split between network expansion and optimization projects?

Why it matters: Indicates our current operational focus and potential for shift Expected answer: 70% on expansion, 30% on optimization Impact on approach: Might suggest rebalancing resources based on decision

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Updated Jan 22, 2025