MNOs co-op on Blockchain inter-roaming
February 17, 2020
Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile US, Telefonica and Orange are jointly testing a blockchain solution for the automated management of inter-operator roaming discount agreements.
The trial, carried out through the GSMA, is of a solution initially designed by Deutsche Telekom Laboratories (T-Labs) and Deutsche Telekom Global Carrier, the operator’s international wholesale unit.
The partners say the solution drastically reduces the complexity of the current process, which involves drafting, signing and manually implementing inter-operator roaming discount agreements. Through the use of blockchain, the agreed-upon terms cannot be subsequently changed or tampered with. In addition, the technology could help to automate roaming wholesale workflow further in the future – for example, settlement processes between operators.
The operators say this is also the first time they have been able to jointly test a blockchain solution that incorporates a corresponding legal framework, governance model and integration into corporate IT infrastructures.