The Carrier Blockchain Study Group (“CBSG”), the global
blockchain consortium of telecom carriers, today announced that
ASEAN and South Asian operator Axiata Group Berhad (“Axiata”),
Philippine-based PLDT, Inc. (“PLDT”), Indonesia-based PT.
Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (“Telin”), Turkey-based
leading digital operator Turkcell (“Turkcell”), Vietnam-based
Viettel Telecom Corporation (“Viettel”), and Kuwait-headquartered
Zain Group (“Zain”) agreed to jointly explore how to collaborate on
building a next-generation global cross-carrier blockchain platform
and ecosystem.
The CBSG Consortium is the leading telecom blockchain
consortium. It was launched in September 2017 to enable the joint
development of an innovative blockchain platform designed
specifically for telecom carriers, led by U.S.-based blockchain
technology company TBCASoft, Inc. (“TBCASoft”) and Japan-based
SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), with U.S.-based Sprint Corporation
(“Sprint”) and Taiwan-based Far EasTone Telecommunications Co.,
Ltd. (“Far EasTone”) as initial founding members. Other members of
the CBSG Consortium are South Korea-based LG Uplus Corp. (“LG U+”),
KT Corporation (“KT”), and UAE-based Etisalat Telecommunication
Corporation (“Etisalat”). CBSG aims to provide telecom members and
their customers various services such as secured global digital
payments, clearing and settlement, personal authentication, IoT
applications and other services using blockchain technology.
The Consortium is also announcing the creation of an additional
blockchain working group that will focus on global remittance
services. Blockchain technology is well suited for these types of
transactions; streamlining processes to better serve consumers. The
blockchain platform and solutions proposed by the CBSG Consortium
are specifically designed for telecom carriers and will help them
create and extend their services beyond traditional markets and
borders.
Dominic P. Arena, Group Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer,
Axiata Group, said, “As we transform into a New Generation Digital
Champion, Blockchain has been identified as a digital platform
opportunity which, by design, is extremely well suited to the
global telecom operator ecosystem of trusted, connected and
distributed parties. We look forward to working with our operator
peers to develop the world’s most secure and fit-for-purpose
Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) infrastructure, upon which we will
build the next generation of digital services for our Consumer and
Enterprise & Government customers.”
PLDT FVP and Head of International and Carrier Business and PLDT
Global Corp. President Katrina Luna-Abelarde said, "The
inter-carrier blockchain technology will definitely bring enormous
benefits to PLDT’s overseas customers whom we have been serving for
over 15 years. With the transformation of their lifestyles in the
digital era, they require the streamlined solutions proposed by the
CBSG Consortium, such as global remittance services, among others.
We seek to empower our global customers with CBSG’s new platforms
and solutions.”
Faizal Rochmad Djoemadi, CEO of Telin said, “The core attributes
of blockchains, which is shared ledger, can ensure trust and safe
transactions between all participants which potentially can
generate new services especially in the digital asset transactions
area, mobile transactions and international remittance. We believe
deploying blockchain as a service in Telin’s extensive global
infrastructure will enable our customer’s digital business and
solution. For Telin, joining the CBSG Consortium will provide a
platform to collaborate among global carriers to explore and
quickly deploy the service globally.”
Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of Turkcell said, “By transporting valuable
digital assets over mobile networks in a secure and transparent
framework, blockchains can speed the growth of the digital economy
and help us to deliver new services for our customers. We must look
beyond simply extending the connectivity of existing telecom
infrastructure. As mobile carriers, we are well positioned to offer
a ‘blockchain-as-a-service’ ecosystem and we must use this
advantage. Therefore, we are looking forward to sharing our
experiences with CBSG to discover together the possibilities to
monetize on this next generation global cross-carrier blockchain
platform. Being a part of this leading telecom blockchain
consortium will help us to enhance our services and improve
customer experience on our digital platforms.”
“Blockchain is an emerging technology that is changing the way
of doing business in every industry. With CBSG global cross-carrier
blockchain platform and ecosystem, we are looking forward to not
only bring various services such as top-up, roaming wallet, secured
clearing and settlement, personal authentication, IoT applications,
etc… for our customers but also enhancing their experience in the
digital era” said Mr. Doan Dai Phong, Director of Viettel
International Business.
Scott Gegenheimer, Zain Group CEO-Operations said, "Blockchain
is an important evolving technology, and collaboration is necessary
in order to harness the applications and use cases it delivers. As
Zain transforms into a digital lifestyle operator, it is important
for us to be in the company of other progressive network operators
within the Carrier Blockchain Study Group, and together I believe
our work can achieve truly remarkable results leveraging blockchain
technology across markets and applications.”
Daichi Nozaki, Vice President, Head of Global Business Division,
Enterprise Business Unit of SoftBank said, "I am happy to see that
other great carriers recognize the significant opportunity in a
blockchain platform specifically designed for them -- and the
inherent advantage a consortium blockchain has over private and
public blockchains. SoftBank is continuously building innovative
services for its customers who have lives that extend beyond
geographic borders. Being able to leverage the new CBSG
cross-carrier working groups opens up exciting possibilities to
extend our services to match their lives."
Ling Wu, Founder and CEO of TBCASoft said, “The CBSG Consortium
has been growing very fast since it was founded in September 2017.
We have accomplished a lot in inter-carrier blockchain business
innovation with existing CBSG members. TBCASoft is the leading
cross-carrier blockchain platform and solution provider. We welcome
new CBSG members and are looking forward to creating more
blockchain-based business together with all members.” Ling Wu is
also the Co-Chairman of The CBSG Consortium.
About Axiata
Axiata is one of the leading telecommunications groups in Asia
with approximately 350 million customers and with a presence in 13
countries. In pursuit of its vision to be the New Generation
Digital Champion by 2021, the Group has transformed itself from a
holding entity with a portfolio of pure-play mobile assets into a
Triple Core Strategy driven business with the focus on Digital
Telco, Digital Businesses and Infrastructure. Within ASEAN and
South Asia, Axiata has controlling stakes in market-leading mobile
and fixed operators in the cusp of becoming Digital Telcos through
digitization and convergence. ‘edotco’, the Group’s infrastructure
company, presently the 12th largest independent tower company
globally, operates in six countries to deliver telecommunications
infrastructure services amassing approximately 27,500 towers.
Axiata Digital and Axiata Business Services are the digital
businesses arms of the Group. Together, these businesses are
focused on capturing the rapid growth in digital financial services
(‘Boost’), digital advertising (‘ada’), enterprise solutions/IoT
(‘Xpand’) and platform services (‘APIgate’) with user access to
global markets.
About PLDT
PLDT is the leading telecommunications and digital services
provider in the Philippines. Through its principal business
segments – fixed line, wireless, digital and others – PLDT offers
the most diversified range of communications and digital services
across the Philippines’ most extensive fiber optic, wireless and
fixed line networks. It is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange
(PSE:TEL) and its American Depositary Shares are listed on the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI). In 2017, PLDT was one of the
largest Philippine-listed companies in terms of market
capitalization.
About Telin
PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin) is a
subsidiary of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk (Telkom), a
state-owned telecommunication and network service provider. Telin
focuses on international telecommunication business and serves as
Telkom’s business arm in managing and developing its business lines
abroad. With its vision of “Global Digital Hub”, Telin owns
subsidiaries in Singapore, Hong Kong, Timor Leste via its Telkomcel
brand, Australia, Malaysia, USA, global offices in Myanmar, Macau,
and Taiwan as well as a project in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The
company also has 71 Points of Presence (PoP) located globally.
Through Telkom Group strategy together with reliable networks and
infrastructures, Telin is able to provide high quality services
that reach all parts of the world in order to Enabling Your Global
Digital Business and Solution.
About Turkcell
Turkcell is a digital operator headquartered in Turkey, serving
its customers with its unique portfolio of digital services along
with voice, messaging, data and IPTV services on its mobile and
fixed networks. Turkcell Group companies operate in 8 countries –
Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Northern Cyprus, Germany, Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, Moldova. Turkcell launched LTE services in its home
country on April 1, 2016, employing LTE-Advanced and 3 carrier
aggregation technologies in 81 cities. In 2G and 3G, Turkcell’s
population coverage in Turkey is at 99.63% and 97.84%,
respectively, as of March, 2018. Turkcell offers up to 10 Gbps
fiber internet speed with its FTTH services. Turkcell Group
reported TRY4.8 billion revenue in Q1 FY18 with total assets of
TRY37.1 billion as of March 31, 2018. It has been listed on the
NYSE and the BIST since July 2000, and is the only NYSE-listed
company in Turkey. Read more at www.turkcell.com.tr.
About Viettel
Viettel Telecom Corporation is a branch of Viettel Group which
is currently the largest telecommunications group in Vietnam and
one of the Top 30 largest telecom companies in the world (GSMA). It
consists of more than 20 subsidiary companies running different
types of business including Telecommunications, Information
Technology, High-tech Research & Development. Viettel has a
significant presence in 11 countries and with more than 100 million
subscribers worldwide in Asia, Africa and America. The company has
considerable experience with universalizing telecommunications in
many developing countries. Viettel also knows that connecting
people is not only about making phone calls or exchanging text
messages but also to enjoy life, be creative and prosper. That's
why Viettel always makes efforts with the most creative approach to
connect people no matter when, where or who they are.
About Zain Group
Zain is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle
East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to 46.9
million active customers as of March 31, 2018. With a commercial
presence in 8 countries, Zain operates in: Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq,
Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and South Sudan. In Lebanon, the Group
manages ‘touch’ on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain has a
15.5% stake in ‘INWI’, through a joint venture. Zain is listed on
the Kuwait Stock Exchange (stock ticker: ZAIN). For more please
email: info@zain.com or visit: www.zain.com
About SoftBank
SoftBank Corp., a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp.
(TOKYO:9984), provides mobile communication, fixed-line
communication, and Internet connection services to consumers and
corporate customers in Japan. Leveraging the innovative
technologies of other SoftBank Group companies, SoftBank Corp. is
also expanding into AI, smart robotics, IoT, FinTech, cloud
security and other business sectors. To learn more, please visit
www.SoftBank.jp/en/corp/group/sbm/.
About TBCASoft
TBCASoft is a U.S.-based company developing innovative
blockchain technology specifically for telecommunication carriers.
Its consortium-based blockchain platform enables telecommunication
carriers to create innovative services for their subscribers under
a more secure, robust, and efficient environment. TBCASoft is
located in Sunnyvale, California, the center of Silicon Valley. To
learn more, please visit TBCASoft at www.tbcasoft.com.
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Media contacts:Axiata GroupGowri Mohanadas, +603-2263
8889Corporate Communicationsgowri@axiata.comorFar EasTone
Telecommunications Co., Ltd.pr@fareastone.com.tworPLDT
Inc.media@pldt.com.phorSoftBank Corp.+81.3.6889.2301Corporate
Communications (Japan)sbpr@softbank.co.jporSprint CorporationLisa
Belot, +1.913.315.5730Lisa.Belot@sprint.comorTBCASoft, Inc.
(USA)marketing@tbcasoft.comorPT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia
InternationalGideon Octora, 62-21-2995 2300Corporate Communication
ManagerFax: 62-21-5296 2358corcomm@telin.co.idorTurkcell GroupBurak
Mergen, +90 532 210 6020burak.mergen@turkcell.com.trorViettel
Telecom CorporationDoan Dai Phong, +84 983 589 895Director of
International Business Centerphongdd@viettel.com.vn