DICE: Dynamic Interconnections for the Cellular Ecosystem

TL;DR

DICE introduces a blockchain-based system to enable dynamic, direct collaboration among Mobile Network Operators, simplifying billing and dispute resolution while supporting customizable user services with cryptocurrencies.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel DLT-based protocol for MNO interconnection, addressing outdated practices and enabling real-time, flexible collaboration and billing.

Findings

Supports real-world deployment with a major European MNO

Enables direct MNO interactions reducing intermediaries

Facilitates customizable services via cryptocurrencies

Abstract

To enable roaming of users, the cellular ecosystem integrates many entities and procedures, including specific infrastructure to connect Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), business partnerships or the use of third-party Data Clearing Houses (DCHs) for billing. Many of these rely on specifications rooted in dated and arcane practices, involving long waiting periods for financial clearing, complex billing models, and disparate mechanisms for dealing with inter-MNO disputes. In this paper, we propose a novel solution, DICE (Dynamic Interconnections for the Cellular Ecosystem), aimed at facilitating dynamic collaboration between MNOs, and sustain fluid interconnection models between the end-users and MNOs. DICE uses distributed ledger technology (DLT) to enable MNOs to interact directly, and offer customizable services to their users through the use of crypto-currencies. We leverage real-world data from a major operational MNO in Europe to support our claims, and to extract the requirements for the DICE system. We introduce the DICE protocol, and discuss real-world implementation considerations.