One of MACH’s customers has several commercial wholesale IoT agreements with its roaming partners. These agreements are based on predefined IoT identification parameters such as networks (MCC-MNC), APN information, and IMSI ranges. The customer uses a volume-based charging model and settles the traffic via TAP files monthly. For a particular month, the following was observed:

However, relying only on APN and/or IMSI ranges for the identification of M2M/IoT traffic does not serve as an accurate identification method. In many cases, there are more IoT devices connected to the network and generating less or nearly zero usage. The current scenario represents that MNO lost the opportunity to monetize the M2M/IoT devices connected in the network. In addition, applying only volume-based charging leads to misaligned charging against the commercial agreement and causes inaccurate monthly settlement charges, inefficient cash flows, and requires manual intervention and recalculations.

Solution

To increase inbound roaming revenues and to charge effectively for devices connected to the network with low or no usage, MACH proposed the IoT Roaming monetization solution, which combines IoT Detection and the BCE service.

MACH’s IoT Detection solution supports combining usages and signaling events to accurately identify devices connected in the network permanently or silent devices. In order to apply differentiated charging based on IoT device profiles and usage behavior, MACH’s BCE service applies a monthly surcharge fee. IoT devices can be segmented, such that differentiated fees or charging is supported. A list of devices/IMSIs identified based on signaling events and behavioral patterns is included in the monthly BCE settlement calculations, with devices/IMSIs charged a monthly surcharge and usage fees.

Result

With MACH’s IoT Detection and BCE services, the customer was able to optimally:

• Use a single settlement method/approach for settling M-IoT agreements.
• Identify 16% additional IoT devices by using signaling events.
• Apply differential charging models as per IoT segment, such as permanent, silent, or other. This includes a monthly fixed fee per device and usage-based charges.
• Increase monthly settlement charges by 72%.
• Increase accuracy in charging as compared to TAP or IOT tariffs.
• Reduce or avoid manual calculation and settlement outside TAP on a monthly and yearly basis.