In a move aimed at accelerating the adoption of 5G services, Vodafone has begun the deployment of Converged Charging (NCC) software from Nokia in European countries. The strategic partnership will leverage a cloud-based agile delivery model, enabling real-time rating and charging capabilities for 5G services while enhancing product and services delivery to customers.
The deployment of NCC marks a significant advancement in Vodafone’s 5G offerings, providing the telecommunications giant with the ability to tap into new revenue streams from 5G services. Among the new capabilities are network slicing and flexible product offerings, which promise to revolutionize the user experience.
The new cloud-based charging system facilitates the implementation of 5G services, including dedicated network slices to support critical applications and emergency services. With its secure and automated platform, the NCC software opens up new commercial models for Vodafone, its business customers, partners, and third-party developers. This revolutionary system allows them to effectively price and package digital services tailored to meet individual end-user needs, presenting a significant departure from conventional charging mechanisms.
One of the key advantages of this platform is the ability for businesses to customize and separately charge for various services based on individual requirements. For instance, a motor manufacturer can now offer distinct pricing for in-vehicle telematics and infotainment services, vehicle-to-vehicle and everything (V2X) communications, asset tracking, and location-based services. This level of customization is a game-changer for businesses, enabling them to cater to the unique demands of motorists, fleet operators, and road haulage firms efficiently.
Moreover, the platform’s capabilities extend to supporting a myriad of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. It facilitates the seamless integration of environmental and traffic gathering sensors, making it possible to create smarter and more responsive urban environments. Additionally, the system enables secure device-to-device communication within the burgeoning Economy of Things, empowering devices to interact securely and efficiently.
Vodafone’s Chief Network Officer Alberto Ripepi expressed his excitement over the new system, stating that 5G enables the introduction of a myriad of new services, and NCC will open up innovative ways to charge for them. The vast scale of Vodafone’s pan-European and African networks is set to be harnessed, enabling customers to manage factory equipment efficiently, establish developer marketplaces using APIs, and facilitate the creation of bespoke products for enterprises’ own customers.
The deployment of NCC spans several Vodafone markets across Europe, including the United Kingdom and Italy, representing a full migration from legacy charging systems to 5G-ready next-generation methods. The Converged Charging solution operates as a containerized network function within a 5G standalone environment, offering unparalleled efficiency and scalability.
Hamdy Farid, Senior Vice President of Business Applications at Nokia, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, emphasizing that the Converged Charging solution will enable communication service providers and enterprises to drive innovative 5G use cases and business models, leading to significant operational efficiency improvements.
The NCC solution boasts highly configurable features, providing Vodafone with the flexibility to tailor its services to different consumer, enterprise, and emerging business models. The user-friendly drag and drop functionality also allows communication service providers to create and launch new services to the market swiftly and efficiently.
With the deployment of Nokia’s Converged Charging software, Vodafone is poised to deliver cutting-edge 5G services, further cementing its position as a pioneer in the telecommunications industry. As advanced 5G services continue to gain momentum, this partnership represents a significant step towards unlocking the full potential of 5G technology and revolutionizing the way we experience connectivity.
