2. INTERNATIONAL ROAMING
A. Roaming Agreements
B. Roaming Agreements‟ Lifecycle
C. Roaming Management Tasks
D. Outsourcing
E. Overview of Roaming Lifecycle
F. The Roaming Process
2
InternationalRoaming
9. 4. TADIG (TCC)
5. Set common Launche date
6. Sign Official Launch Letter (CLL)
7. Inform the Relevant Departements in your
company
Billing Departement
IT & Engineering Department
Marketing Departement
8. Allocate resources to launch the roaming
partner (IREG)
9
InternationalRoaming
10. 9. Usually tasks of the Roaming Coordinator
Update AA.14 and IR21 (IREG) and distribute to
roaming partners
Distribute updates from roaming partners
10. Check :
That the terms of the agreement are respected
That the TAP records are sent on time (TADIG and
EDCH)
That roaming works by having network tests done
(both IREG teams)
That roaming partners are following the GSMA rules
10
InternationalRoaming
14. E. OVERVIEW OF ROAMING LIFECYCLE
14
InternationalRoaming
15. F. THE ROAMING PROCESS
Involve different departments
Different people with different interests and priorities
Activities depends on one another
The flow can stop if departments are not aligned
This will generate internal conflicts and bottlenecks
15
InternationalRoaming
17. Common Bottlenecks
Prioritization
Attractiveness of the Operator
„Not quantity but quality‟ Concept
Lots of useless deviations
Time / resources restriction on both sides
Cost of implementing each Roaming Agreement
Fraud Prevention Procedures in place
No structure or strategy to negotiate IOTs
17
InternationalRoaming
18. How to avoid Bottlenecks
Avoid unnecessary deviations
Calls and face-to-face meetings, not only e-mails
Clear strategy including plan “B” for each country
Identify and present your company‟s selling points
Consider other agreement‟s solutions: Hub, NE, etc…
Make sure necessary security features are offered
Be flexible on negotiations (IRA and IOTs)
Consider to hire external assistance with the
negotiations – outsourcing
18
InternationalRoaming
20. Common Bottelenecks
Lack of priority
Delays in activating SIM cards
Location Update or GPRS attach failure
Signalling implementation delays
Wrong data implementation in VLR or HLR in
HPLMN, also with International carrier
Resource constraints
20
InternationalRoaming
21. How to avoid Bottlenecks
Have a formal procedure mapped on how to
distribute information and do the configuration
Re-check the RP data as per latest IR21
Have a SLA with Signaling Provider
Have experienced personnel for troubleshooting
Acknowledge reception of SIMs ASAP and ask RP to
activate them
21
InternationalRoaming
23. Common Bottlenecks
Resource constraints
Calls not being completed
Poor voice quality; echo, back ground noise, delay in
transmission
Lack of priority (internal and external)
Different time zones making more difficult to
schedule a date for common tests and troubleshooting
23
InternationalRoaming
24. How to avoid Bottlenecks
Buy premium termination from a reliable carrier
Your RP shall do the same, bypass result in pour QoS
Employ experienced IREG specialists
Share SLAs and goals with IREG team
Make sure you get the prioritization of your RP
Consider to require external assistance / outsource
Consider to use automatic testing solutions
Have a clear internal process
24
InternationalRoaming
26. Common Bottlenecks
Resource constraints
Lack of prioritization
Billing system errors
Discrepancies between CDRs and IREG Docs (time,
duration, volume, etc …)
Delay in receiving test TAP files (TD) from Roaming
Partner
File rejected
26
InternationalRoaming
27. How to avoid Bottlenecks
Share SLAs and goals with TADIG team
Make sure IREG testers get the time / duration
directly from the switches and not from their own
watches
Make sure you get the prioritization of your RP
Consider to require external assistance / outsource
Use TTT
Have a clear internal process
27
InternationalRoaming
29. Common Bottlenecks
Fail to notify DCH about commercial launch date
Fail to notify internal departments
Delays with commercial launch generated by
unnecessary internal processes
Delay in receiving CLL countersigned
Internal debts not ready for commercial operation
29
InternationalRoaming
30. How to avoid Bottlenecks
Have clear internal processes
Make sure all the launch activities are done (tariffs,
customer care, billing system, etc …)
Try to cut down unnecessary & lengthy approval (red
tape) processes
Have all the necessary info prepared in advance
Accept CLL by fax and email
30
InternationalRoaming
32. Common Bottlenecks
Technical issues
Service disruptions / TAP flow failure
Financial issues
Non payments
Lack of resources or lack of knowledge
Slow implementation of agreements
Relationship issues
Work not being done
32
InternationalRoaming
33. How to avoid Bottlenecks
Implement clear processes and workflow including
owner ship, deadlines, etc…
Define Key Processes to be monitored
Share goals with all the teams involved
Have a clear leader
Be aware of Roaming industry trends
Consider to hire external assistance and join a Hub
Have right team, motivated
33
InternationalRoaming
34. 7. WORKING ENVIRONMENTS
The operation of a Roaming service involves
many departments
One department clearly depends on the other to
reach its targets
It is very important to create and maintain a
good working environment for all the debts.
Involved
Relationship problems are common when
priorities are different
34
InternationalRoaming
