TelecomTV TelecomTV
  • News
  • Videos
  • Channels
  • Events
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • Open RAN
  • Cloud Native Telco
  • Telcos and Public Cloud
  • The Green Network
  • Private Networks
  • Open Telco Infra
  • 5G Evolution
  • Access Evolution
  • Edgenomics
  • Network Automation
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Security
  • More Topics
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • |
  • About
  • Contact
  • |
  • Connect with us
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • Open RAN
  • Cloud Native Telco
  • Telcos and Public Cloud
  • The Green Network
  • Private Networks
  • Open Telco Infra
  • 5G Evolution
  • Access Evolution
  • Edgenomics
  • Network Automation
  • 6G Research & Innovation
  • Security
  • Connect with TelecomTV
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Sign In Register Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
    • Register
  • Search

Blockchain

Blockchain

Positing the potentialities of Verizon's blockchain vSIM tech

Nick Wood
By Nick Wood

Sep 24, 2019

© Flickr/cc-licence/Luciano Belviso

© Flickr/cc-licence/Luciano Belviso

  • Newly-patented technology could let users chop and change devices several times a day...
  • ...but it could really come into its own if access is given to multiple carriers
  • What if you could switch the same vSIM to a different operator as needed?

The potential applications of Verizon's newly-patented, blockchain-based vSIM technology are manifest, but some of them would require the telco to play nicely with others.

The US patent and trademark office (USPTO) last week granted Verizon a patent covering the use of a blockchain to provision, assign and manage virtual SIM cards.

One advantage of using a blockchain in this case is that it becomes much harder to carry out a SIM-swap attack. This is because the rightful owner of the SIM controls, in theory, the only means of transferring it to a new device: the private key that authenticates the updating of data on the blockchain.

As the patent explains, it also gives customers the power to provision and manage their own vSIM. It means they can chop and change which device (provided said device supports vSIM, of course) to attach to the operator's network as often as they wish.

"Thus, the vSIM can be retrieved and used by any one of different devices associated with the user account or loaned to other users," the patent says.

Potentially, any of the operator's back office systems could keep track of device changes by looking up a customer's public blockchain address, and then take action based on that information.

So, as well as improving customer convenience, it could also present new ways for operators to make themselves useful.

These could be offers based on a customer's preferred device. For instance, a heavy laptop user might need a smaller voice and SMS allowance. Verizon could therefore suggest the customer tweaks their service plan so they have fewer minutes and texts, but more data. What if the allocation of voice, SMS and data could be automatically rebalanced according to the device the customer is using?

Or, perhaps a customer that transfers their vSIM to their car for their daily commute might respond positively to a related value-added service, such as live traffic updates, or a bundled music-streaming subscription?

Inviting others to the party

It could get even more interesting if other operators are able to join in as well.

As we know, customers can store multiple vSIMs from different operators on the same device; you don't need a blockchain for that. But, what if you could use a blockchain to switch a single vSIM to a different carrier's network as needed?

For instance, it's perfectly reasonable to think a customer would prefer to use the same mobile number while travelling abroad but sign up to a local mobile network to avoid roaming charges. The process of doing so could be made much more simple for everyone involved if both operators were plugged into the same blockchain storing the vSIM certificate.

Pushing the boundaries a little further – perhaps even too far – that hypothetical car driver I mentioned earlier might get a brilliant connection from Verizon at home, but better coverage from a rival on their commute. What if, as well as switching to a new device – their car – they could also switch to a different network?

That might be possible at a technical level, but the commercial drivers for operators are hard to fathom – it's not in their interest to make it straightforward for customers to churn. An intermediary would be better placed to offer this kind of service, but Verizon has just patented the technology that would enable it, so it probably won't happen any time soon.

Even so, it is encouraging to see that major players like Verizon are taking seriously the implications that blockchain technology has for the industry. However, commercial reality might delay the realisation of its full potential.

Related Topics
  • 6G Research and Innovation,
  • Analysis & Opinion,
  • Announcement,
  • Blockchain,
  • Business Models,
  • Mobile,
  • News,
  • North America,
  • Research and Trials,
  • Telco & CSP,
  • Verizon,
  • Virtualisation

More Like This

Security

Telefónica Tech and Adwatch apply Blockchain against digital ad fraud

Feb 6, 2023

Digital Platforms and Services

FTX contagion spreads as traditional US bank is infected

Jan 9, 2023

Digital Platforms and Services

What’s up with… Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile US, NTT Docomo

Nov 8, 2022

Digital Platforms and Services

Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile US launch new T Challenge seeking Web3 development through 5G

Nov 3, 2022

Digital Platforms and Services

Deutsche Telekom supports Ethereum Blockchain

Sep 29, 2022

Email Newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest industry developments: sign up to receive TelecomTV's top news and videos plus exclusive subscriber-only content direct to your inbox – including our daily news briefing and weekly wrap.

Subscribe

Top Picks

Highlights of our content from across TelecomTV today

10:43

MWC23 interview: Mari-Noëlle Jégo-Laveissière, deputy CEO of Orange

12:45

MWC23 interview: Abdu Mudesir, Group CTO, Deutsche Telekom

9:26

MWC23 interview: Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer, BT

TelecomTV
Company
  • About Us
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
Our Brands
  • DSP Leaders World Forum
  • Great Telco Debate
  • TelecomTV Events
Get In Touch
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 448 1070
Connect With Us

  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal Notices
  • Help

TelecomTV is produced by the team at Decisive Media.

© Decisive Media Limited 2023. All rights reserved. All brands and products are the trademarks of their respective holder(s).