Syniverse telecommunications operator is working with IBM to create a roaming communication solution using the blockchain in the near future.
Providing technology and business services to a number of telecommunications companies, Syniverse collaborates with IBM to introduce a blockchain into a bill payment system between telecommunications service providers.
Traditionally, mobile operators bill each other for roaming customers. In the pilot project of Syniverse and IBM, smart contracts are used to establish transaction rules between telecommunications service providers.
The solution aims to increase efficiency and resolve disputes. Roaming billing is a time-consuming process that requires many approvals, but thanks to distributed registries where information on the use of telecommunications services, their pricing, billing to subscribers and payment processing will be stored, it will be simplified.
“With the growth of interconnected networks and the advent of advanced technologies, the future of payments lies in the ability to securely receive and monetize any type of transaction, whether it be roaming, the Internet of things or any other process,” said Dennis Moers, vice president and general manager for transaction maintenance and clearing at Syniverse. (Dennis Meurs). “As part of a pilot with IBM, we developed a blockchain solution for several clearing and settlement tasks in a mobile ecosystem.”
The pilot used the GSM Unified Data Record (UDR) standard representing the interests of mobile operators around the world. When making a call, the UDR record contains detailed information about its duration, time and dialed number. The standard is designed to support device distribution using 5G and IoT networks.
IBM is working with the Spanish telecommunications operator Telefónica on the introduction of the blockchain into managing international calls.