{"id":6559,"date":"2020-01-22T09:54:35","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/?page_id=6559"},"modified":"2026-05-11T16:30:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T15:30:55","slug":"billing-and-charging-evolution","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/interoperability-data-specifications-and-settlement-group\/billing-and-charging-evolution\/","title":{"rendered":"Billing and Charging Evolution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Billing and Charging Evolution<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Since 1991 the telecom industry has used the Transferred Account Procedures (TAP) for roaming billing and settlement needs. Although TAP has served the industry well, and is here to stay, the process is too complex and rigid to support future technologies like IoT and 5G.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IDS working group has defined an alternative solution called the Billing and Charging Evolution (BCE) process to serve these industry requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Billing and charging evolution (BCE) definition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The BCE process is a simplified and flexible optional settlement method, tailor made for future wholesale roaming settlement needs of operators. The process is driven by new formats like Usage Data Report, Billing Statement Report and Detailed Data Record which together build a robust framework for seamless revenue assurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Simplified data flow in BCE process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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High-Level reporting exchange flow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Benefits of BCE over TAP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tailor made solution for Wholesale roaming settlement in IoT and 5G<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Settle monthly, quarterly, annually or as agreed \u2013 no rigid file exchange or settlement windows<\/li>\n\n\n\n
End to end process support for most industry charging models \u2013 no outside TAP process<\/li>\n\n\n\n
More control to operators and lesser outsourcing needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
New standardised reconciliation process \u2013 reconcile usage or charge or both<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Process extendable to other services like WiFi Roaming and Interconnect<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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Key implementation considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Quite a few operators are finding BCE to meet their requirements of MIoT wholesale roaming billing and some have already started implementing. All key format and process documents are published on Member Gateway (our extranet exclusive to GSMA members) and GSMA continues to work on other supporting documentation like implementation guidelines and handbooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BCE Documents<\/strong> TD.201<\/strong> Common Billing and Charging Processes TD.202<\/strong> Billing and Charging Evolution Reports TD.204<\/strong> Reject Dispute Reporting TD.205<\/strong> BCE Sample Files TD.206<\/strong> Detail Data Records<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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