05/14/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/14/2024 12:39
Keeping up with advancements in telecommunications is important for Operators who want to improve revenue. Originating from operators the Billing and Charging Evolution (BCE) compliance is a significant development introduced by the GSMA. This standard changes how operators manage their billing and charging procedures for 5G SA, NBIoT, and any wholesale data traffic in general. Let us explore its significance and importance so you can become BCE-compliant today!
Telecom billing refers to the process of collecting, aggregating, and managing usage data related to telecommunication services. It encompasses various tasks required to generate customer invoices and track revenue for services provided by operators, both to their customers and other operators.
Telecom billing solutions often involve:
Telecom operations are intricate by nature and have a large volume of transactions and telecommunication charges. Therefore, these processes must be highly efficient, accurate, and transparent to improve customer experience and manage revenue.
Transferred Account Procedures (TAP) is increasingly seen as an antiquated system for handling new mobile transactions due to its inability to adapt to the evolving needs of the telecom industry. Originally designed in 1991, TAP lacks the flexibility and scalability to support emerging technologies such as IoT and 5G. Its complex and rigid structure makes it unsuitable for the dynamic and high-volume nature of modern mobile transactions. Furthermore, the cost of exchanging data through TAP can be burdensome for mobile operators, particularly with the exponential growth of IoT data. While TAP has been instrumental in the past, it is ill-equipped to handle the demands of the new age of mobile transactions.
GSMA's new Billing and Charging Evolution (BCE) industry standard is aimed at simplifying and modernizing data exchange, reconciliation, and settlement between operators. It is the only standard for 5G standalone (5G SA) roaming services and mobile IoT. With the rise of mobile IoT devices and 5G, this change in telecom billing becomes even more critical.
As operators move to fully embrace 5G SA, they need a clearing and settlement technology that is fit for purpose BCE is an evolving standard developed upon request from operators who intend to launch and monetize 5G roaming and data-based services.
The BCE standard is all about the aggregation of data and wholesale reconciliation, allowing operators to monetize services that are currently unmonetized. Operators don't need to change the way they do business - BCE just enables a different way to exchange records, that can allow additional streams of revenue.
Billing and Charging Evolution is streamlining wholesale roaming settlement processes for mobile operators. BCE also aims to address current clearing and settlement requirements while anticipating future industry needs.
With the advent of features such as IoT and M2M services which are being driven by industry verticals like healthcare, smart cities, transportation, and more are changing how operators are thinking about their billing and charging functions. They are having to think in terms of wholesale and alternative charging models that TAP is unable to give them.
By utilizing BCE with bilateral agreements, operators can efficiently manage their roaming services by signing the necessary contracts to ensure seamless operations.
Compliance with the standards for this telecom billing solution is important for multiple reasons:
The Billing & Charging Evolution (BCE) offers several key benefits in mobile telecommunications including improved flexibility and control, increased process efficiency, support for new 5G and IoT services, automated reconciliation, reduced costs, and the monetization of IoT services.
BCE provides a comprehensive telecom billing solution that helps operators redefine their wholesale roaming approach in terms of how they invoice partners, clear and settle data, and facilitate financial transactions more efficiently
Without billing and charging evolution compliance, operators can run into these challenges:
By following these steps, operators can ensure they are fully compliant with billing and charging evolution standards:
Don't lag behind competitors or stick to complicated telecom billing solutions. Work with Syniverse and become BCE-compliant today!
Emma Blatch is VP of Product for Outsource Carrier Solutions at Syniverse. With decades of experience advocating for customers, she has spent the last 5 years working on delivering innovative solutions that help both Carrier and Enterprise customers monetize 5G, IoT, and all variations of roaming. Specializing in Clearing and Settlement solutions Emma uses her extensive expertise to create innovative solutions that bridge the gap between mobile operators and their customers, partners, and clients. Emma's commitment to advancing the mobile roaming landscape has made a significant impact on shaping the future of global telecom services.