GSMA declared commercial readiness of the GSMA eBusiness Network, a new private-permissioned blockchain network.

The first suite of GSMA applications hosted on the network aims to transform the wholesale roaming clearing and settlement process. The network has the potential to support a wide range of operator business requirements.

The move follows almost four years of research between GSMA and six global mobile operator groups who were the founding members of the Blockchain for Wholesale Roaming (BWR) initiative convened by the GSMA.

Deutsche Telekom, CK Hutchison, Orange, Telefonica, Verizon, and Vodafone are the founding members of the blockchain project.

These new GSMA roaming services have the potential to ensure faster, more transparent, accurate and secure roaming operations for global mobile operators. They will also safeguard underlying processes, including clearing, rating, charging, and settlement for improved revenue assurance.

“The combination of increasing international data flows and momentum around 5G and IoT create a natural impetus to overhaul existing wholesale roaming practices. Harnessing the potential of blockchain to automate processes and mitigate inefficiencies is a crucial step towards strengthening the mobile ecosystem and enhancing inter-operator connectivity,” said Alex Sinclair, CTO of GSMA.

Mobileum, a provider of analytics-driven technology solutions, is the technology partner to develop the blockchain network.