Operators opening up roaming on different networks can accelerate the withdrawal of 3G networks! Netizens: The billing method has been thought out

In March 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the "Notice on Promoting the Accelerated Development of 5G". One of the important points in the notice is "integrate advantageous resources, carry out 5G network sharing and cross-network roaming, accelerate the formation of a network structure with multiple networks coexisting in hot spots and one network supporting remote areas, and create a resource-intensive and efficient 5G network."

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has proposed to promote the construction and deployment of 5G networks through "inter-network roaming", which shows that this method is very effective for operators to improve the utilization rate of basic resources and save costs. So what impact does inter-network roaming have on users and operators?

Operators opening up roaming on different networks is complementary, not competitive

Through roaming on different networks, users of all operators can experience the same network coverage, which is conducive to the development of disadvantaged operators. Through roaming on different networks, coverage blind spots are eliminated, and 4G signals can basically achieve seamless coverage across the country (except for uninhabited areas). For a small number of coverage blind spots, each operator can allocate some areas to quickly complete blind spot coverage.

Telecom can accelerate the withdrawal of 2G/3G networks. For a small number of areas without 4G network coverage, or terminals that do not support VOLTE or B5 band 4G, roaming can be carried out on other networks to the 4G networks of China Mobile or China Unicom, or 2G/3G networks.

China Unicom can accelerate the withdrawal of 2G/3G networks. In a small number of areas without 4G network coverage, or terminals that do not support VOLTE or B8 band 4G, roaming can be carried out on mobile or telecom networks, 4G, or 2G/3G. For local areas with relatively large demand for 3G/2G services (no 4G network coverage, or terminals that do not support 4G or VOLTE), coverage will be temporarily retained, and targeted 4G blind spots will be filled, or users will be stimulated to replace 4G terminals to reduce 3G/2G network load. For local areas with low demand, roaming can be carried out on other operators' networks.

Mobile GSM network provides a backup, accepting some roaming users from other networks to increase network load. Because after the cooperation with other networks, the 4G coverage blind area has been greatly reduced, and the terminals are accelerating the conversion to 4G and 5G. With hundreds of millions of mobile phones sold each year, 4G feature phones have reached more than one hundred per year. It will take two to three years to eliminate mobile phones that do not support 4G. GSM IoT terminals are accelerating the conversion to NB and CAT1 IoT terminals. Low-value terminals can be directly replaced with new ones, and high-value IoT terminals can replace communication modules and upgrade to 4G.

4G forms seamless coverage. Wherever there is a signal, there is a 4G signal. Newly produced mobile phones and IoT terminals can cancel the support for 2G/3G, 4G single mode, or 4G/5G dual mode. If you need to travel abroad frequently and the destination has poor 4G network coverage and a large number of 2G/3G networks, you need to buy a full-standard terminal.

Inter-network roaming implements the automatic roaming switching mechanism that gives priority to the home operator network. If the home operator network is unavailable, the network will automatically switch out. If the home operator network is available, the network will automatically switch back. For all operators, inter-network roaming is complementary, not competitive. When the network fails, the network will automatically switch out. When the network has no coverage or is overloaded, the network will automatically switch out. This can improve network availability.

How to calculate roaming charges on different networks?

The first method provides the best experience: for users, regardless of whether roaming occurs on different networks, the charges are exactly the same, and can be used to deduct the minutes and traffic in the package. Operators settle accounts according to the settlement standards for roaming on different networks, offset a part of the charges, and complete the settlement by making up the price difference. In this method, if the home operator sets the package and rate standards lower than the settlement fee for roaming on different networks, the home operator will pay for it when the user roams on different networks.

The second method is to set a unified price for roaming on different networks, for example, voice calls are 1.5 cents per minute, data traffic is 5 yuan per GB, and the part exceeding 3G is 3 yuan per GB. The roaming fees incurred by users are charged separately according to the roaming fee standards of different networks, and cannot be deducted from the minutes and traffic of the package. Users still only settle fees with their affiliated operators, including roaming fees on different networks. Operators settle roaming fees between operators. The settlement rate can be all roaming fees paid by users, all of which belong to the operator providing roaming services, or it can be allocated according to a certain proportion, with the affiliated operator taking a moderate share and the majority of the settlement going to the operator providing roaming services. In this way, users are more sensitive to roaming on different networks, because it is charged separately and cannot be deducted from the minutes and traffic of the package.

Inter-network roaming fees are moderately tilted towards operators that provide inter-network roaming services. Operators that provide inter-network roaming services take the lion's share, while the affiliated operators take the remainder. This is conducive to stimulating inter-network roaming cooperation, and at the same time, it is conducive to operators to improve network coverage and network quality as much as possible, and reduce inter-network roaming fee expenditures. Through inter-network roaming services, it is equivalent to adding additional users and bringing in additional income. For those who roam more on inter-networks, a part of the fees will be offset, and the remaining part will be income. For those who roam less on inter-networks, a part of the fees will be offset, and the price difference will be paid, and a part of the inter-network roaming fees will be paid.

After opening up cross-network roaming, operators may want other operators to build network coverage for low-value areas and use roaming by themselves. A segmented approach can be adopted to designate a region, a contiguous rural low-value area in a province or city, including underdeveloped towns and even county towns, and have one operator be responsible for network coverage and blind spot coverage. Each operator is responsible for some areas. The coverage blind spots in low-value areas in urban areas are also segmented and responsible for blind spot coverage. Each operator only needs to be responsible for construction, maintenance and blind spot coverage of 1/4 of the area, which can greatly reduce the cost of network construction and maintenance.