Real-Time Decision Authority in Modern Telco Systems

This technical paper examines the architectural fragmentation present in modern telecommunications networks and discusses the decisioning layer necessary to address this issue. It is intended for engineering and architecture leaders who are evaluating infrastructure for real-time charging, mediation, and network automation. The paper identifies two primary patterns of decisioning gaps: online decisioning, where transactions are pending due to delayed decisions, and event-driven decisioning, where decisions are made after an event has occurred, leading to potential inconsistencies. The paper outlines the implications of these gaps, particularly in the context of 5G networks, which generate significantly more chargeable events than previous generations. It emphasizes the need for a unified decisioning layer that can manage fragmented business and network layers effectively, ensuring real-time decision-making capabilities that are crucial for maintaining service quality and operational efficiency. The discussion includes challenges related to revenue leakage and the operational burdens that arise from fragmentation in both network and business layers.