EDCH ‘Raise Roaming Clearing’ issues with Telecommunication Regional Regulators

Dubai, 25 August 2016, Emirates Data Clearing House (EDCH) – one of the leading data clearing house (DCH) in GCC – became the first DCH to address the pre-eminent forum in the region for regulating roaming clearing services when it met with the GCC Roaming Working Group this month. EDCH were invited by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) as industry experts to update regulators from across the GCC on the issues facing this important segment of the international mobile industry.

The objective of the day long workshop was to address the growing challenges faced by the data clearing industry due to the volatile international roaming segment business of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). While mobile data usage has increased by 120% year-on-year, 70% of subscribers switch off data services while roaming abroad to avoid bill shocks.

Figures from EDCH indicate that, despite the growth in mobile internet usage and smartphones ownership, subscribers are switching off data services devices when travelling. The average smartphone user uses 2.2 GB of data per month until they travel, when 70% switch off. This rises to 84% who stop social media usage when travelling. Almost $17 billion is spent on alternatives to mobile roaming services, such as Wi-Fi.

While addressing the working group, Mr. Ahmed Al Yateem – VP Sales and Marketing, EDCH said, “It is a great opportunity for us to share with regulators from across the region the latest trends, challenges and opportunities of the data clearing industry. The global roaming sector is increasing in importance as people travel more and businesses operate internationally. I look forward to working with the regulators to support the international roaming business of telecom operators, especially on industry critical issues, such as establishing guidelines for the Wi-Fi Hub and Data analytics.”

The EDCH team also updated the working group on a series of DCH-related topics ranging from: the role of data clearing house in the roaming business, the need to have a specialized data clearing partner, GSMA regulations and common fraud practices that reduce international roaming revenues, which is in 2015 cost the industry more than $10.7bn.

Mr. Hasan Al Ahbabi, Regulatory Economist from the TRA, and the GCC RWG member for the UAE, said, “EDCH were chosen as a leader in the region on roaming, which is becoming increasingly important to the global telecommunications industry. As regulators it is an imperative that we work with business to ensure we have the right environment in place for this sector to flourish. Only by working together will we achieve better outcomes for all and I thank EDCH for sharing their expert advice and their work as an important partner of the TRA.”