MEF has published a new report in partnership with Kaleido Intelligence, on how blockchain will enable cost savings and other roaming benefits for mobile operators.
Chief of Strategy & Insights at Kaleido, Nitin Bhas, shares a quick overview on what to expect from the Can Blockchain Help My Roaming Business report released by MEF this week, available to download now.
Blockchain is one of the most hyped technologies now and blockchain in roaming is fast emerging as one of the megatrends within this sector, with a clear perception that the rollout of 5G represents the optimal moment for the deployment of both BCE (Billing & Charging Evolution) and blockchain.
Over the past four years, interest in blockchain and distributed ledger technology has intensified across a range of key verticals.
Telcos have identified several broad areas where blockchain might potentially be integrated into their systems, including fraud management, mobile wallets, supply chain, loyalty, IoT connectivity, identity, and international roaming. Blockchain offers a wealth of advantages, including near real-time settlement of charges using smart contracts; resolving any disputes or fraudulent transactions more effectively; and identity management to reduce roaming fraud.
Based on the number of operators expected to deploy automated settlement and savings enabled via a reduction in settlement manpower, fraud, settlement disputes and other spend, Kaleido predicts cumulative cost savings of $5 billion over the next 5 years.“
International roaming is particularly interesting as it effectively sits at the centre of the several other areas. However, although BCE is effectively a given, blockchain (at least in roaming) is not; blockchain can be used on top of BCE provided both operators agree to that. Certainly, by incorporating blockchain into the stack, the net result will be less disputes, further reducing the time to settlement. Blockchain is also expected to be highly effective at addressing various other issues currently plaguing international roaming, such as fraud.
Based on the number of operators expected to deploy automated settlement and savings enabled via a reduction in settlement manpower, fraud, settlement disputes and other spend, Kaleido predicts cumulative cost savings of $5 billion over the next 5 years. Annual savings will exceed $1 billion 2024 and will then fluctuate depending on roaming fraud losses beyond that period.
In this free report, we explain the advantages of blockchain in the telco arena, specifically roaming, the challenges and the wholesale roaming cost savings enabled by the implementation of automated settlement.
This report forms part of the new series of short, concise reports published by MEF and Kaleido Intelligence, looking at the following key areas:
- 5G Roaming
- BCE in Roaming
- Blockchain in Roaming
- IoT Roaming
- VoLTE Roaming
“Can Blockchain Help My Roaming Business report”, and two other roaming reports, are all available to download for free now.
Roaming Reports : Free downloads
Three roaming reports from Kaleido intelligence are available to download now. Can Blockchain Help My Roaming Business examines the role of blockchain, preparing for 5G Roaming Success explains how the 5G roaming will evolve over the next 5 years, while BCE in Roaming: Disruption, Differentiation or Distraction? explores the BCE business case.