Huawei has launched the new CBS R21 convergent billing solution with a 5G monetization mode, based on cloud native architecture.
According to the latest information available at MWC 2021, held in Shanghai recently, there are more than 110 5G commercial networks worldwide, covering over 70% of the world's GDP. China alone has invested more than CNY260 billion in 5G network construction. The 5G terminal ecosystem is also developing faster than expected. Tens of millions of 5G smartphones are being sold in China every month, and 5G smartphones costing 1,000 CNY (c. USD 160.00) have started to emerge in early 2021. The GSMA forecasts 5G networks will serve more than 20% of users by the end of 2021.
While 5G networks significantly improve communications service experience, operators have to think about monetizing the better service experience of 5G and consider how to accelerate the ROI cycle.
At the end of 2018, some operators launched 5G packages with the highest network access rate as the charging unit. For example, the tariff of an operator is as follows:
| Maximum download speed (Mbit/s) | 1000M | 600M | 300M |
| Monthly rental fee (USD) | 55 | 38 | 32 |
Figure 1: Typical speed-based 5G package
The speed used in the package refers to the maximum download speed allowed by the network. However, operators cannot fully guarantee the download speeds for subscribers when the network coverage is poor or congested.
In order to develop the market, operators set high entry level speeds when launching 5G packages. The download speed of the package starts from 300 Mbit/s, which is much higher than the speed required by ordinary services.
Figure 2 Speed requirements of typical services
Therefore, users who subscribe to different 5G packages usually are not aware of the difference in service experience, which greatly affects the promotion of 5G packages.
To solve these problems, Huawei has launched the CBS R21, a convergent billing product based on real-time rates, at MWC 2021 in Shanghai. Key features of the new solution are:
- The system calculates the real-time actual speed in the collecting period based on the traffic consumed by the user and the length of the collecting period.
- The carrier or operator is able to classify the speed grades; the traffic used by subscribers can be segmented into high-speed traffic (green) and normal-speed traffic (grey), and charges can be applied according to the speed classification.
Figure 3 Collection of actual speed
With the emergence of more and more high-speed 5G services, such as HD video (4K/8K), VR etc., real-time rate charging can be used to reflect the principle of ‘better-quality and better-price’, enabling operators to monetize the high-speed network experience and achieve revenue growth.
In addition, Huawei the CBS R21 solution features a cloud native architecture with full-container, distributed applications and data, thereby greatly reducing hardware consumption and improving system reliability. Making use of a complete set of DevOps tools or integration with third-party tools can achieve E2E automation and full service agility.
CBS R21 is a new-generation charging product with rich 5G monetization methods and an all-cloud architecture, ensuring zero service interruption and zero call loss. It serves 2.3 billion subscribers and more than 200 sites worldwide to help operators unleash greater business value in the 5G era.
Ryan Wu is Director of Huawei Software Marketing & Solution Sales Department
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