Explore the key advantages of BCE and the enduring importance of TAP
The world of mobile telecommunications is constantly evolving, driven by new transformative technologies like 5G standalone (SA). With this evolution comes the need for a fundamental shift in how mobile network operators (MNOs) manage wholesale roaming and, particularly, the critical processes of clearing and settlement. For decades, the industry has relied on Transferred Account Procedures (TAP) to facilitate the exchange of financial data and settle wholesale charges between partner operators. TAP has been the standard, but its inherent limitations, including its rigid structure and transaction-based capacities, are becoming increasingly inadequate for the next generation of roaming services.
The new reality of 5G roaming requires massive scalability to support services (e.g., IoT) and complex business models, which demand a more advanced standard. This spurred the GSMA to establish the Billing and Charging Evolution (BCE), which is designed to support the new requirements of modern networks. BCE introduces traffic aggregation, flexibility in charging models, and a streamlined, comprehensive approach to billing that easily adapts to new technologies such as 5G SA. This shift is not just an upgrade — it’s an evolution needed to effectively monetize new services and manage cutting-edge platforms.
This transition will not happen overnight. Despite the important advantages of BCE, TAP will remain critical for the foreseeable future. Given its 30+ years of widespread adoption and integration into legacy billing systems, MNOs will be required to continue supporting TAP to maintain seamless clearing and settlement with partners who have not yet transitioned to BCE. Therefore, the immediate future of wholesale roaming settlement is not a choice between one standard or the other, but an imperative to support both TAP and BCE concurrently.
The road ahead involves navigating this coexistence, understanding the strengths of each framework, and planning a strategic migration path. This blog delves into the critical need for TAP and BCE to work together and how Syniverse has taken steps to ensure MNOs can successfully and strategically transition to next-generation mobile roaming services while continuing to support partners that still use TAP records.
The Evolution of Roaming Standards
As MNOs transition to BCE, they face a dual reality:
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Many roaming partners still depend on TAP for clearing and settlement.
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While BCE delivers the automation and capabilities required for 5G SA and other new services, TAP continues to underpin global roaming transactions on legacy platforms. To ensure continuity and unlock new 5G opportunities, both standards must work together, creating a bridge between today’s roaming model and tomorrow’s digital ecosystem.
Why TAP Still Matters
TAP remains an essential part of roaming, efficiently managing roaming transactions and billing, even as BCE gains adoption. TAP enables seamless integration of legacy systems with emerging technologies, supporting flexible processing, validation, and record exchange. It’s the established global process that supports billions of transactions across 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. As 5G expands, TAP will soon be able to handle NB-IoT and 5G SA traffic using simplified record structures known as TAP0, which lack charging information. This will enable operators to exchange 5G data with partners who are not yet BCE-ready.
This evolution ensures interoperability and revenue continuity while BCE adoption accelerates. Rather than being phased out, TAP is evolving to compliment BCE and ensuring MNOs can serve all partners and technologies without disruption.
The Power of BCE
BCE is designed for the future of roaming. It enables:
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The monetization of low-volume sessions with traffic aggregation
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Automated settlement and reconciliation
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Improved transparency and control over roaming costs
5G SA introduces new use cases from network slicing to enterprise IoT, BCE gives operators the speed, accuracy, and flexibility needed to monetize next-generation services. But MNOs must balance innovation with stability by integrating BCE into their ecosystem while continuing to support TAP.
Syniverse is Bridging the TAP–BCE Divide
Syniverse Universal Commerce for BCE provides a single platform to manage TAP and BCE transactions simultaneously by intelligently routing, converting, and validating records based on partner capabilities.
With integrated TAP0 components and flexible processing options, Syniverse empowers MNOs to:
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Accelerate BCE compliance with minimal system changes
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Support TAP and BCE partners seamlessly
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Merge, split, or convert record types for any workflow
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Gain unified BI analytics across TAP and BCE operations
Universal Commerce ensures that as operators transition to 5G SA roaming, they can maintain consistent, accurate clearing and settlement across both standards without operational disruption.
Building the Bridge to the Future
The move to BCE isn’t about replacing TAP overnight. It’s about creating a seamless bridge between two worlds. TAP ensures today’s roaming continuity with BCE, unlocking tomorrow’s agility and innovation with the legacy standard.
With Universal Commerce, MNOs can navigate this transition seamlessly, uniting legacy and next-generation roaming in one intelligent platform. MNOs get the benefits of:
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Future-proofed 5G and beyond roaming operations
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Automated NB-IoT and LTE-M traffic exchange
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Expanded global reach
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Monetizing services that cannot be monetized today
UC provides all of this while leading the evolution of next-generation connectivity.
Preparing for the Next Generation of Roaming
Every MNO is on a unique BCE journey. While some are beginning compliance planning, others are already implementing real-time BCE workflows. Syniverse supports each stage with flexible engagement models, from targeted compliance services to full outsourcing of BCE and TAP clearing and settlement. At Syniverse we consider this a build-your-own BCE model, as every MNO's needs are different.
This adaptability enables MNOs to evolve at their own pace, strengthen partner relationships, and accelerate 5G roaming readiness with confidence.
Learn More
Syniverse is helping mobile operators worldwide simplify the transition to BCE and future-proof their roaming strategies. Discover how Universal Commerce for BCE enables seamless integration of TAP and BCE, helping you accelerate your journey to next-generation roaming.
