Current Status on Platform Development: Q1 2019
By: Bubbletone Blockchain In Telecom
Tags: Blockchain, API, Progress, Telecommunication, Github

During the first quarter of 2019, our development team has delivered a low-level API and two high-level specifications.

Low-level API

A low-level API is necessary for integration of mobile operators into the blockchain platform. As a basis upon which the entire system operates, the low-level API is a generic API for integration that allows for support of a wide range of business scenarios to work with a blockchain node.

The API sets out the procedure for interaction between software components to provide common functionality, but at the same time, the API allows us to abstract functionality away from specifics of implementation.

The API documents how software components interact with each other. Software components that implement this low-level API have been built and are already functioning as expected.

The low-level API developed by our team is available at the following link: https://wiki.blockchaintele.com/index.php/Low_Level_API_JSON

High-level Specifications

A high-level specification is technical documentation that describes in detail a specific business scenario for interaction between participants via the blockchain. For each use case that will be implemented on our platform, it is necessary to develop an appropriate high-level specification.

Having pursued a large number of negotiations with telecom operators, we have learned what services are now in highest demand. As a result, two high-level specifications have been developed — one for TeleChain Broker, a joint solution with Nexign, and the other for Global сoverage with local rates for subscribers.

TeleChain Broker

Many telecom operators hold conservative views and are not ready to immediately implement disruptive solutions and change the established mechanism for providing services. The solution allows operators to easily connect to the blockchain platform — the traditional roaming infrastructure is preserved, and at the same time, they receive access to a new revenue stream. We call this easy way of connecting to our Bubbletone blockchain platform TeleChain Broker.

Within the TeleChain Broker marketplace, operators can create wholesale offers that consist of, for example, seasonal packages, and are valid within a specified period. In addition, deals are closed immediately, and prices can be changed at any time. Thus, TeleChain Broker allows operators to immediately bring products that are demanded by subscribers to the market, i.e. provide a short time to market, and receive additional revenue.

We are going to publish a blog post dedicated to this solution.

Global Coverage with Local Rates for Subscribers

The decentralized platform allows mobile network operators, even those who do not have roaming agreements, to interact securely and directly, without any complex integrations or intermediaries. The operators use multi-account SIM cards and distribute them among their subscribers. These cards allow subscribers to upload local mobile profiles over-the-air, i.e. via special encrypted binary SMS messages or the data channel using an SMPD platform (eSIM standard). Thus, while travelling, subscribers can purchase service packages at the rates of local operators and use their existing SIM card all over the globe.

To implement this use case, we are working on integrating the blockchain platform into billing systems of several telecom operators.

Our legal experts have also almost completed development of a public offer. Operators need to sign this document to be connected to the platform. The public offer outlines conditions for connecting operators to the platform.

In addition, we are working on the implementation of the subscriber identification process. Before an operator starts servicing a subscriber of another operator, they need to be able to confirm the identity of this subscriber.

The Platform

The cluster of servers is ready for the launch of a pre-production version of the platform. The pre-production version of the platform has already been built. We are planning to launch a pilot project with several operators worldwide in the nearest future.

While in use, the pre-production version will be load-tested and monitored. The development team will be monitoring how the platform operates when operators interact with each other within the marketplace.

The pre-production version of the platform and monitoring are necessary since operators may have additional requests for features or other specific requests. If such requests are made, the developers will introduce necessary changes to the system.

Thus, there will be a gradual transition from the pre-production to a production version of the platform. If no bugs pop up and no additional features are requested during the testing period, the pre-production version becomes the production version without any changes.

GitHub

The development team uploads their work to Github. This is only for work related to open source software, namely the blockchain core. Updates are made periodically, with the last update bieng made at the end of January.

Our progress on integration of operators into the platform is available in “Documentation” section of our website and updated regularly.