Viewpoint
At MWC earlier this year, I made a presentation about how Blockchain (or Distributed Ledger) technologies could be used to completely redefine how we approach the development of 5G networks. At the upcoming Total Telecom Congress in London, I will be making a short speech that takes a deeper dive into how the industry needs rethink the design, rollout and delivery of telecom services through blockchain. There will also be a roundtable, which will host some exciting discussions about this topic.
There is currently a lot of excitement about both of these two emerging technologies – firstly 5G, which will redefine how mobile networks are built, operated and what applications they are able to run. Secondly Blockchain – or more correctly – Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), the technology behind bitcoin and Ethereum. Far from being merely about financial services, this technology holds the potential to disrupt a significant number of industries: Telecommuncations in no exception; Blockchain holds the potential to run mobile networks more efficiently, cheaper and in a more distributed fashion.
So far, however, the majority of analyses of these technologies treat them as separate issues – indeed many view the blockchain as merely an application that will run “on top of” 5G networks. Combined together, however, these technologies will drastically redefine how mobile networks are built, what business models will create the most effective returns and how the value chain is constructed. Some operators are out in front of this technology, e.g. Verizon Wireless recently registered a patent for using blockchain for DRM.
Blockchain can be used in conjunction with a number of existing telecoms platforms in order to radically redefine the manner in which operators deliver services. Moreover, however, it holds the potential to break down barriers to innovation and drastically simplify billing and other operational systems.
Every operator needs to assess the impact that this technology may have on their business – these sessions at Total Telecom Congress will help operators and network vendors understand how to approach this new technology strategically. I hope to see you there.
The Total Telecom Congress takes place in London on the 4-5 October 2016. To find out about attending visit www.totaltele.com/congress
