Revolutionizing 5G Monetization with Real-Time Billing Solutions

The traditional telecom post-service cycle billing models are becoming obsolete in an era driven by emerging technologies such as 5G, IoT, and cloud computing that demands immediacy and flexibility. Recognizing the need for change, Intellias embarked on an ambitious project with a leading global software provider to implement a state-of-the-art real-time billing solution. This initiative has set new standards for service monetization and user engagement in the digital age.

Business challenge

In a time of fast-paced developments in 5G, IoT, and cloud technologies, updating traditional billing systems has become crucial for service providers to remain leaders in the telecommunications industry. Faced with this scenario, Intellias collaborated with a leading Eastern European telecom operator (part of a renowned Israeli multinational corporation operating in over 90 countries) to architect a billing infrastructure for the digital age. The ambition was clear: to transition from legacy processes to a system that champions real-time engagement, maximizes operational efficiency, and unlocks a spectrum of monetization opportunities. This strategic move was aimed at not just keeping pace with but actively shaping the evolving digital landscape, ensuring our client could leverage every aspect of 5G’s transformative potential.

Technical and Functional Expertise

Intellias’ contribution was based on deep technical knowledge and functional billing insights, focusing on:

• Billing estimations: Implementing capabilities for accurate bill forecasts
• Billing experience: Developing flexible billing experience tailored to customer needs
• Subscription and billing management: Developing robust systems for managing subscription services and postpaid billing
• Pricing and tax mechanisms: Introducing adaptive price protection and external/internal tax functionalities
• System resilience: Ensuring system robustness with disaster recovery protocols
• Data integrity: Maintaining data integrity through sophisticated data model migration
• Fallout management: Including functionality to report failures and reprocess changes in the system
• Proration: Performing calculations for prorated charges to ensure accurate billing
• Disaster data recovery: Implementing processes and actions to restore data after a disaster
• Charge profiler and rule engine: Categorizing charges based on dynamic rules evaluated by the rule engine
• TMF data mode migration: Ensuring seamless data model transitions in compliance with TMF standards
• Backdating and future activities: Adding functionality to run flows with past or future dates for scenario analysis and planning

Tech stack

The project leveraged a cutting-edge technology stack, including Java, Spring Boot, microservices, Kubernetes, Kafka, OCP, OpenAI, Swagger, and Couchbase, facilitating a cloud-native, microservices-based solution that can scale to meet future needs.

Advantages of the real-time billing solution

Deployment of the real-time billing solution by Intellias and our client has ushered in a new era of billing efficiency, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. Key advantages include:

• Immediate monetization opportunities: Real-time processing enables quick revenue recognition and transaction monetization, accelerating cash flows for the operator.
• Enhanced customer experience: Real-time transparency and flexible payment options boost customer satisfaction, offering users control over their subscriptions and payments.
• Operational efficiency and cost savings: Real-time billing supported by a scalable, cloud-native microservices architecture simplifies end-cycle processes, improves resource allocation, and lowers costs.
• Flexible and unified billing: The solution accommodates a broad range of services and billing models within a unified system, enhancing service flexibility and simplifying management.
• Future-proof infrastructure: Designed to support emerging technologies like 5G network slicing and IoT, the billing system is ready to adapt to and leverage new monetization opportunities.
• Strengthened partner ecosystem: Supporting the B2B2X model and diverse partner requirements, the solution fosters collaboration within the 5G ecosystem, expanding innovation and increasing revenue potential.

Business impact

The real-time billing solution implemented by Intellias and our client has revolutionized the telecom operator’s ability to efficiently manage a complex array of services. Seamlessly integrating with over 50 existing systems through TFM-style APIs, the solution has modernized the client’s technological infrastructure, enabling dynamic, real-time service management that aligns with current market demands. This sophisticated integration has not only streamlined operations but also fortified the client’s ability to swiftly respond to and capitalize on market opportunities, enhancing overall agility and giving them a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving telecommunications sector.

Moreover, the project’s strategic deployment of advanced billing features has propelled the client to the forefront of the 5G and IoT revolution, ensuring readiness for next-generation telecom challenges. Centralized administration and enhanced operational monitoring have resulted in significant efficiency gains, reducing operational overhead and improving service delivery. By collaborating with Intellias, the client has effectively transformed their operational framework, positioning themselves as a leader capable of exceeding the expectations of a digital-first customer base and setting new standards in the telecommunications industry.