Therefore, thanks to an open 5G and edge business platform in place, properly powered with new BSS capabilities, the number of monetization possibilities could be almost infinite. On such a platform, telcos could transform 5G and edge computing use cases into monetizable value-added services.
These include a new transactional execution paradigm, shifting from traditional memory caching and application server architectures optimized for slightly demanding latency requirements and
predicable load profiles, to specialized architectures delivered as IaaS/PaaS, sometimes on the edge, for computing transaction streams characterized by extreme throughput, very low latency and
increasing algebraic complexity. Another would be a real-time events visibility capability. The future BSS solution must provide real-time access to in-memory, computing-based events management
platforms. Edge metering and charging will also be required. This is an enabling technology that allows collecting data, events and ultimately usage closer to the point of data generation and
consumption, for the mediation or rating of that usage. This is required for billing and revenue management purposes.
Monetization models
In monetization terms, telcos can aspire to monetize the connectivity capabilities shared with their partners. They can apply network or cloud-centric pricing factors like quality of service
(QoS), bandwidth (uplink and downlink), slice type and instance (SST/NSSAI) or micro-cloud IaaS, PaaS and CaaS services, provided on the edge.
Figure 3: Application and orchestration of AI
(click to enlarge)
However, telcos can also aspire to monetize the
full value of each use case by charging the end
users (and partners), according to value-driven concepts. Thus, in our smart traffic monitoring example, end users can select a particular camera to access the associated video streaming, so that
each specific user could be charged, in real-time, considering the time spent watching the video streaming, the resolution selected (FHD, HD, SD) and the location of the camera.
In the same example, the telco could instead charge the municipality, based on the number and location of the camera, in providing a “video traffic dashboard” service to them. Users could still
access the video streaming in “freemium” mode, subsidized by real-time micro-targeted advertisements that appear in the mobile app and are charged to an advertisement agency.
A journey in front of you
Therefore, thanks to an open 5G and edge business platform in place, properly powered with new BSS capabilities, the number of monetization possibilities could be almost infinite. On such a
platform, telcos could transform 5G and edge computing use cases into monetizable value-added services.
The sooner telcos start building their 5G and edge business platform, the sooner they will capture new sources of revenue by steering the required ecosystem pervasively and intelligently.
