Blockchain: 2018 Disruptor of the Year, page-41

LG Uplus, Etisalat, KT, Telefonica, PLDT partner with Carrier Blockchain Study Group

Friday 23 February 2018 | 09:31 CET | News

The Carrier Blockchain Study Group (CBSG), the global blockchain consortium of telecom carriers, has announced that South Korea-based LG Uplus, UAE-based Etisalat, South Korea’s KT, Spanish operator Telefonica, and Philippine-based PLDT have agreed to jointly explore how to collaborate on building a global cross-carrier blockchain platform and ecosystem.

CBSG was launched in September 2017 to enable the joint development of a blockchain platform designed specifically for telecom operators, led by Japan-based SoftBank and US blockchain technology company TBCASoft, Sprint and Taiwan-based Far EasTone Telecommunications (Far EasTone). CBSG aims to provide telecom members and their customers with secured clearing and settlement, personal authentication, IoT applications and other services using blockchain technology in the future.

CBSG promotes research and development of the blockchain platform, and has demonstrated top-ups, mobile wallet roaming, international remittances, IoT payments and roaming charge settlements on a cross-carrier blockchain payment platform. CBSG also functions as a working group for members to resolve issues related to technology, business and the regulations of various jurisdictions.

As one of working groups, SoftBank and Far EasTone are planning a mobile wallet roaming trial to Japanese and Taiwanese travelers this year. LG Uplus, Etisalat and KT have also agreed to evaluate CBSG initial use cases in their operations using TBCASoft technology.