Major telco groups Deutsche Telekom and Orange claim to have successfully tested a proof-of-concept (PoC) whereby blockchains are used to offer enhanced IPX services.

More specifically, they have been able to demonstrate that operators can use a blockchain to facilitate the automatic exchange of end-to-end carrier network KPIs between two providers. It paves the way for operators to offer quality of service (QoS), and improves network performance forecasting and incident management.

Announcements like this one typically beg the question: was a blockchain absolutely necessary in order to achieve the desired outcome?

In this case, the answer seems to be yes and no. No, because one can argue that APIs could be developed that would facilitate the exchange of end-to-end network KPIs between two operators. On the other hand, the answer is also yes, because blockchain offers a transparent, unalterable record of information exchange, which could underpin QoS-based offerings.

“We now have proof that IPX service management can benefit from improved levels of efficiency and reliability using blockchain. This is both timely and relevant because the forthcoming integration of 5G into mainstream telecoms services requires efficient, reliable data transfer, so these advances will bring confidence to operators and end-users alike,” said Emmanuel Rochas, CEO of Orange International Carriers, in a statement.

“We are proud to have successfully completed this PoC together with Orange,” added Rolf Nafziger, SVP, Deutsche Telekom Global Carrier. “We have long been a proponent of collaborative work and invite any like-minded industry organisation to contact us for cooperative projects.”

Deutsche Telekom said the next step is to present the results of the PoC to the GSMA.