With 5G technology continuing to pick up speed, mobile network operators (MNOs) have a unique opportunity to maximize revenue from their 5G investments. The opportunity to achieve better returns, improved cost efficiencies, and increased revenue generation can be realized by implementing a complete 5G roaming solution. Having the right tools in place is crucial, and building out 5G roaming with the right partner is essential to unlocking its full potential.
Let's explore seven key elements that MNOs must focus on to successfully realize revenue from 5G roaming.
The 5G Roaming Opportunity
According to forecasts from leading research firms, the number of 5G roamers is expected to increase by the year 2030. This is supported by both the number of 5G roaming connections and 5G roaming traffic. Along with the increasing deployments of 5G standalone (SA) networks, internet of things (IoT) roaming traffic is also expected to increase significantly, driven by the expanding demand in key IoT sectors like transportation, freight, logistics, and automotive. This growth represents a substantial opportunity for operators to monetize 5G roaming.
Global 5G roaming data traffic from consumer mobile devices is also expected to soar in the coming years, especially with increased adoption of eSIMs. This massive increase underscores the growing importance of 5G roaming and the need for operators to implement the right strategies to capitalize on it.
Roaming Support for 5G Non-Standalone (NSA)
As 5G adoption accelerates, it is important for operators to ensure they have support for 5G non-standalone (NSA) roaming. This support will ensure a quicker, more cost-effective rollout of 5G. By leveraging their existing 4G infrastructure, MNOs can take advantage of faster speeds and lower latency performance, while paving the way for future 5G SA deployments.
Enabling this transition requires seamless 5G NSA support, via an existing IPX (IP exchange) and enhanced Diameter Signaling Service, ensuring uninterrupted service and optimized revenue streams during the evolution to 5G SA.
Elevated Security with 5G
Security continues to be a top priority for mobile networks, and this is true in the realm of roaming with 5G. 5G introduces the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), a new and crucial network element designed to ensure secure interconnections and roaming between networks.
Ensuring security measures are in place will be key for maintaining trust and preventing fraud while roaming, allowing MNOs to focus on growing their business.
A Stopgap Solution for 3G-to-VoLTE Transitions
As operators retire their 2G/3G networks in favor of newer technologies, maintaining support for inbound roaming is critical. This is even more important for roamers traveling from home networks that do not support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) roaming. A stop gap solution can help ensure that roaming services continue seamlessly, even for users from legacy networks, until full 5G support is implemented.
This approach ensures that MNOs don’t lose out on roaming revenue while they transition to more advanced technologies.
Boost Roaming by Directing Traffic To Preferred Partners
By directing roaming traffic to preferred partner networks, MNOs can institute one of the most effective ways to manage roaming costs and improve service quality. With a powerful steering of roaming product in place, MNOs can direct their 5G roaming traffic to preferred partner networks with the best commercial agreements. This results in lower roaming costs, enhanced quality of service for users, and greater control over roaming expenses.
MNOs can ensure their roaming services meet customer expectations while boosting revenues, by partnering with and directing traffic to the right networks.
Flexible Charging and Clearing with BCE
Billing and Charging Evolution (BCE), is a simplified and flexible settlement standard developed by the GSMA to address the limitations of traditional billing and charging processes (TAP), specifically with 5G and IoT roaming. BCE plays a vital role in ensuring seamless billing and clearing operations. It enables operators to support a wide range of new services, including 5G and IoT roaming, and helps them accommodate advanced business models, expanded partner ecosystems, and flexible charging and discounting models.
As operators expand their 5G offerings, BCE provides the flexibility needed to support these changes, while improving monetization opportunities.
Connectivity and Quality of Service
Subscribers expect high-quality roaming services, whether they’re at home or traveling internationally. Ensuring consistent, high-quality service is especially important for demanding 5G applications, such as low latency streaming and critical IoT communications.
To meet these subscriber expectations, MNOs need to have a strong network infrastructure in place. A trusted and proven IPX network is essential for maintaining high-quality roaming services.
Roaming Testing Services
5G introduces new interworking challenges for MNOs, especially for roaming and VoLTE connectivity. Variations in 5G deployments, along with various signaling protocols, can create interoperability issues that affect connectivity, voice, and data roaming experiences. An experienced professional services team can provide crucial support in identifying and resolving these issues, enabling MNOs to deploy and deliver a reliable, high-quality roaming experience for their subscribers.
Conclusion
As 5G continues to revolutionize mobile networks, operators have a significant opportunity to grow revenue from 5G roaming services. Realizing this potential requires the right technology, strategies, and partnerships. By focusing on the seven key elements described in this blog — from seamless support for 5G NSA, enhanced security with SEPP, and flexible charging models, to optimizing roaming traffic and ensuring high-quality service, operators can unlock the full benefits of 5G roaming and ensure a strong return on their investments.
