Page 12 - FIGI - Use of telecommunications data for digital financial inclusion

Figure 1 – Data Types in a Typical Telecom Provider, Source: Hitachi Vantara and Ravi Kalakota, Transform
Telecom: A Data-Driven Strategy for Digital Transformation, June 2019

Operators now use next generation networks that es and short videos. Equipment used for back-office
are used for data services. While the term CDR is services also generate data, such as call centre logs.
still used, broader network records are sometimes
called generic data records (XDR) or usage data 3.1.4 Machine generated data
records (UDR) to denote the much broader range of Telecommunications operators have access to a
data that is now routinely maintained. These records substantial amount of machine-generated data, and
include non-voice information such as SMS text mes- this will only increase as the internet of things (IoT)
saging data, internet usage and mobility manage- expands and smart devices proliferate. Data is gener-
ment records. ated by customer access devices, by network equip-
ment and by communications applications. Mobile
3.1.2 Location data handsets, IoT devices, DTV set-top boxes, modems,
Even when a mobile phone is not being used to make routers and other customer premise equipment
a voice call or access data, whenever it is switched (CPE) all generate data. This includes device loca-
on it will perform an International Mobile Subscriber tion through communication with cell towers and
Identity (IMSI) ‘attach procedure’ to register on the through telemetry data, and potentially other data
appropriate mobile network and to verify subscrip- generated by sensors.
tion status. Mobile devices will continue to commu-
nicate periodically with mobile networks so long as 3.1.5 Online activity
they are switched on and as they move from place to Telecommunications operators also have access to
place, continually updating network registration and data from their customers’ online activities through
subscription status. browsers and other applications on their devic-
es. This opens wide opportunities for advertising
3.1.3 Network and applications data networks, for example, but is typically restricted by
Network equipment employed by operators also privacy regulations applicable to telecommunica-
generate data, including network logs, network tions operators.
fault and alarm logs, network performance count-
ers and deep packet inspection. Communications 3�2 Customer relationship management data
applications may also generate data. For example, Operators gather and maintain information for
call answering services generate voice recordings management of the relationship with the customer
and video call services can generate video record- for commercial and regulatory reasons.
ings. SMS records text, and MMS records text, imag-

10 Use of telecommunications data for digital financial inclusion