Omantel and Telkomsel sign up for GSMA blockchain trials for optimized roaming operations, digital platforms and services

GSMA invites MNOs to join GSMA eBusiness Networks Accelerator trials for automated wholesale roaming settlement and improved cash flow

London: The GSMA today announced wholesale roaming trials for its next-generation telecommunications blockchain network – the GSMA eBusiness Network – to demonstrate the benefits of blockchain technology to mobile network operators (MNOs). Blockchain pioneers and roaming partners Omantel and Telkomsel have already signed up to the GSMA eBusiness Network Accelerator program to monitor inter-operator roaming processes, support roaming agreement negotiations and accelerate billing and settlement. The trials will go live in June 2023.

Blockchain technology securely automates the complex business processes of wholesale roaming, ensuring that the interaction between MNOs is accurate, transparent and verified in the shortest possible time. Omantel and Telkomsel expect several benefits from using blockchain, including operational efficiency through reduced manual intervention, greater accuracy in charging, reduced billing disputes and rejections, and faster time to market for roaming products and offers.

Talal Al Mamari, CEO, Omantel, said: “We want to lead the pack with the implementation of this revolutionary blockchain solution, which will not only further automate our systems, but also help us optimize costs and become more efficient by reducing margins on errors. In addition to the operational benefits we expect to achieve, we see an improvement in customer experience through fewer invoice disputes and improved roaming services and products. It will also allow us to work with more operators to exchange data over blockchain, thus enable future technology developments such as 5G Standalone Roaming and Billing and Charging Evolution. Such initiatives reflect our commitment to enrich the experience of our customers to complement our broad international roaming footprint across 200 countries with more than 700 partners.”

“As Indonesia’s leading digital telco, Telkomsel consistently reaches out to unlock more potential for the country’s progress. During MWC23 in Barcelona, ​​Telkomsel joined the GSMA eBusiness Network Accelerator program with the hope of opening opportunities for further implementation of blockchain network technology in Indonesia. By conducting a joint study and exploring blockchain technology, we can optimize our wholesale roaming clearing and settlement processes in the future.As the first digital telco in Southeast Asia to join the initiative in 2023, Telkomsel will continue to evaluate the results of the blockchain technology trial and provide more inclusive and sustainable access to world-class connectivity in Indonesia, says Wong Soon Nam, Chief Planning & Transformation Officer, Telkomsel.

“Blockchain technology is ideally suited to streamline the clearing and settlement process for wholesale roaming. It does this by enabling the automation of business processes that are becoming increasingly complex as we enter an era of connectivity defined by 5G and IoT,” said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer, GSMA “We are asking our members to join the trials so they can realize the benefits of blockchain, together with their roaming partners, and lay the foundation for Web3, with fully automated contract management, settlement and payments.”

The roaming application services offered by the GSMA eBusiness Network ensure more transparent and secure roaming operations for MNOs. The applications are built on blockchain-based automated workflows, using smart contracts to create a single source of truth in roaming contract management, data cleansing and financial settlement.

Under the GSMA eBusiness Network Accelerator program, MNOs can benefit from guidance, services and training resources including the GSMA Node for easy access to the GSMA eBusiness Network; GSMA Negotiator, an online negotiation environment for roaming managers to anticipate, analyze, negotiate and digitally sign roaming agreements; and GSMA Settlement, an automated settlement environment designed to reduce disputes and speed up the wholesale roaming billing and charging process.

The GSMA eBusiness Network is a privately-approved industry-wide blockchain solution, launched in 2021 to support a wide range of operator business requirements and transform the wholesale roaming clearing and settlement process. It was formed following collaborative research between the GSMA and CK Hutchison Group Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, Verizon and Vodafone who were the founding members of the Blockchain for Wholesale Roaming (BWR) initiative, convened by the GSMA.

GSMA’s Blockchain & Roaming Services are part of a suite of services designed to address critical industry challenges. In addition to blockchain and roaming services, GSMA members can also use device information services, eSIM services, fraud prevention and security services, and network and interconnection services.

For more information on the Accelerator trials and how to register, please visit www.gsma.com/services/streamlined-wholesale-roaming-is-here.