SOLUTIONS FOR 5G SA ROAMING

Mobile network operators can boost revenue, reduce costs and retain customers by leveraging 5G SA roaming.

The Facts

5G roaming connections are expected to jump from 53 million in 2023 to 526 million by 2027.

However, MNO’s face challenges in taking advantage of this opportunity.

Flexible 5G SA roaming components

To protect their investments from market turbulence and other factors, MNOs need flexibility built into their networks.

For 5G SA Roaming to work, MNOs will need:

5G roaming architecture

The HSC manages 5G HTTP/2 protocol signalling, the SCP handles routing, SEPP’s manage and secure communications, encrypted across a 5G core.

The BSF links sessions enabling Policy Control (PCF) and Charging Function (CHF) scaling where a network has multiple PCF’s and a Voice over NR or AF/NEF use case.

VoLTE is a prerequisite for deploying a 5G SA core, as 5G SA cannot use a Circuit Switched Fallback of 2G/3G systems.

Revenue challenges of 5G SA roaming

Revenue can be impacted by:

Subscribers switching due to losing service outside of their home network.
Unsuccessful charging prepaid subscribers dynamically credit-checked over legacy protocols.
Consumer trends that favour 5G SA roaming as standard.
An inability to promptly offer new services for subscribers roaming outside their home network.

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Network complexity challenges of 5G SA roaming

In nations without full 4G coverage, subscribers face a loss of connectivity as operators turn off 2G/3G networks to make way for 5G. As such, many operators face the complication of having to interop several protocols.

Why is 5G roaming critical for operators?

MNOs are under pressure from:

Highly competitive markets
Thin margins
5G monetisation issues
Socio-economic expectations about Industry 4.0.

Additionally, customers highly value good-quality connectivity. Up to 20% of roaming customers will change networks or use a local SIM card to ensure they have a good quality connection.

Save money by reusing existing infrastructure

Squire Technologies’ HTTP/2 Interworking function (IWF) enables existing 3G and 4G products and functions to work on 5G networks.

In the case of iMobility, an MVNO specialising in telecoms service provision, customers can break into the 5G services market by reselling 5G Roaming SIM’s, even if they have a legacy Online Charging System (OCS) that uses SS7 or Radius protocol.

Squire Technologies’ IWF integrated iMobility’s 5G Charging Function (CHF) with the legacy protocols of its customers’ OCS’s allowing billing to continue despite the legacy infrastructure challenges.

The flexibility solution

The SS7 and Diameter protocols of 2G/3G/4G LTE networks need a bridge to the HTTP/2 protocol of 5G. Bridging the protocols enables seamless sharing of policy, charging and authentication information while allowing easy integration of future network components.

The 5G SVI-IWF provides 3GPP specified HTTP/2 to SS7 CAMEL, MAP, and Diameter interworking. So, you can leverage 5G SA roaming and other new revenue streams while extending network functionality and lifespan.