Balance+ - Integration methods and call flows -EN V15 (1)

1.

Balance+ platform
Integration methods and call flows
October 2023
unifun.com

2.

Balance+ exploitation experience
9
48
21
40
years of successful
exploitation since the 1st launch
mobile operators
are already using Balance+
operators are currently
launching Balance+ with Unifun
professionals are
constantly working on this project
Balance+ is launched
Unifun is working
Balance+ is at the launching stage
Unifun is starting

3.

Where it works
BALANCE+ IS ALREADY LAUNCHED IN 48 MOBILE NETWORKS
MTN, Ivory Coast
MTN, Liberia (Lonestar Cell)
MTN, Guinea-Bissau
MTN, Guinea
MTN, Benin
MTN, Syria
MTN, Congo
MTN, Cameroon
Cellfie (Beeline), Georgia
Beeline, Kyrgyzstan
Beeline, Uzbekistan
Team (Beeline), Armenia
Zain, Jordan
Zain, Bahrain
Zain, Saudi Arabia
A1, Serbia
Tcell, Tajikistan
Ucell, Uzbekistan
Silknet (Geocell), Georgia
Mobiuz, Uzbekistan
MegaFon, Tajikistan
ZET-MOBILE, Tajikistan
Babilon-M, Tajikistan
A1, Belarus
Econet, Zimbabwe
Econet Wireless, Burundi
Econet, Lesotho
Movitel, Mozambique
Tmcel, Mozambique
Telkom, Kenya
O-Mobile, Tajikistan
Life:), Belarus
Ncell, Nepal
Sudani, Sudan
Cellcard, Cambodia
Jawwal, Palestine
Ooredoo, Palestine
Etisalat, Afghanistan
AWCC, Afghanistan
Roshan, Afghanistan

4.

Where it works
BALANCE+ IS ALREADY LAUNCHED IN 48 MOBILE NETWORKS
Moov Africa, Benin
9mobile, Nigeria
Free, Senegal
Expresso, Senegal
Nexttel, Cameroon
Telecel, CAR
Unitel, Laos
Telemor, Timor-Leste

5.

Where it works
BALANCE+ IS AT THE LAUNCHING STAGE IN 21 MOBILE NETWORKS
MTN, Ghana
MTN, Rwanda
MTN, Eswatini
MTN, Nigeria
Orange, Botswana
Orange, Madagascar
Orange, Ivory Coast
Orange, Liberia
Moov Africa, Chad
Chinguitel, Mauritania
Vodafone, Ghana
Getesa, Eq. Guinea
Togocel, Togo
Niger Telecoms, Niger
Movicel, Angola
MTC, Namibia
Umniah, Jordan
Syriatel, Syria
Ufone, Pakistan
Timor Telecom, Timor-Leste
Bitel, Peru

6.

Balance+ proposal
Display real time targeted and interactive advertising messages in USSD *xxx#
Balance 15 USD
Valid until 27-09-2023
Current situation
Balance 15 USD
Valid until 07-09-2023
Balance is 5 USD
Valid until 27-09-2023
New ring back tone: Rihanna - Super
Star, press 1 to activate it now
Buy 1 GB for 1 USD per month,
answer 1 to activate now
Balance+ proposal

7.

HLD Scheme of Balance+ connection
Balance+ server 01
Core network
SIGTRAN-MAP
HSS
Receiving and sending the USSD request from
short code *xxx#
\
STP 1
SIGTRAN-MAP/ API
CBS
Receiving information about the subscribers
Balance+ server 02
\
STP 2
SIGTRAN-MAP
Provisioning
(MAP)
Activation of MNO services via MAP
API
Provisioning
(API)
Activation of the promoted services via API

8.

High-level integration scheme of Balance+
1
Subscriber
Subscriber dials
*xxx# for balance
check
HLR/MSC/STP
3
Balance check
request routing
The USSD balance check request is routed from STP towards
Balance+ platform
Activation of the
promoted service
Balance+ platform
2
2
2
2
2
OCS
DWH
DMS
HSS
CRM
Mandatory
Main balance
Tariff Plan
Language
Balance of SMS, Data, Voice bundles
Date of validity
Optionally
Provisioning
system

9.

Balance+ IP Plan
MNO External Firewall
MNO Network
Internet VPN
Balance+ server
GT:_______
Unifun Home Network
(O&M, iLO, Web Interface access)
Balance+ Active Server
PC:_______
Legend
Port 0
ETH0 – O&M
Private IP 2
Port 1
ETH1 – Service
Private IP 3
Port 2
ETH2 – SIGTRAN 1
Private IP 4
Port 3
Ethernet card 1
iLO Private IP 1
GT
PC
Global Title
Point Code
Remote access
HTTP
Operation & Management
interface
CMS/CRM
SIGTRAN – for receiving balance
check requests
HTTP
IP: ___________
Provisioning
System
ETH3 – SIGTRAN 2
Private IP 5
Balance+ Standby Server
–
–
HTTP – get additional
targeting information
HTTP API – activation of
promoted services
HTTP
PC:_______
IP: ___________
OCS
HTTP API – get information
about Subscriber’s profile
(used for targeting)
Port 0
ETH0 – O&M
Private IP 7
Port 1
ETH1 – SIGTRAN1
Private IP 8
Port 2
ETH2 – SIGTRAN 2
Private IP 9
Port 3
Ethernet card 2
iLO Private IP 6
ETH3 – Service
Private IP 10
SIGTRAN1
SIGTRAN2
IP: ___________
\
GT:___________
STP
IP Plan for Balance+ Active Server
Private IP 1 – Balance+ platform iLO
Private IP 2 – Balance+ platform O&M Interface
Private IP 3 – Balance+ platform Service Link
Private IP 4 – Balance+ platform SIGTRAN 1 Link
Private IP 5 – Balance+ platform SIGTRAN 2 Link
IP Plan for Balance+ Standby Server
Private IP 6 – Balance+ platform iLO
Private IP 7 – Balance+ platform O&M Interface
Private IP 8 – Balance+ platform SIGTRAN 1 Link
Private IP 9 – Balance+ platform SIGTRAN 2 Link
Private IP 10 – Balance+ platform Service Link

10.

Balance+ Cabling scheme
MNO External Firewall
MNO Network
Internet VPN
Balance+ platform
Unifun Home Network
(O&M, iLO, Web Interface access)
Balance+ Active Server
Port 0
Port 1
ETH2 – SIGTRAN 1
Private IP 4
Port 2
ETH0 – O&M
Private IP 2
ETH2 – SIGTRAN 2
Private IP 4
Port 3
Ethernet card 1
iLO Private IP 1
ETH1
Private IP 3
Legend
Remote access
MNO Switch
1
Operation & Management
interface
SIGTRAN1
STP 1
SIGTRAN2
Balance+ Standby Server
Port 0
Port 1
Port 2
ETH2 – SIGTRAN 2
Private IP 9
Port 3
Ethernet card 2
ETH1 – SIGTRAN1
Private IP 8
ETH3 – Service
Private IP 10
\
STP 2
iLO Private IP 6
ETH0 – O&M
Private IP 7
\
MNO Switch
2
SIGTRAN – for receiving balance
check requests
SIGTRAN – for receiving
balance check requests

11.

SIGTRAN associations diagram
Balance+ server 1
(GT:XXX PC:XXX)
Port
IP Address
xxxx
xxx
xxxx
STP 1
(PC:XXX)
Port
xxxx
Balance+ server 2
STP 2
(GT:XXX PC:XXX)
IP Address
IP Address
xxx
(PC:XXX)
Port
Port
xxxx
xxxx
xxx
xxxx
IP Address
xxx

12.

Balance+ Call Flow logic
SUBSCRIBER
Balance+
platform
HLR/MSC/STP
OCS
1. Subscriber make request for balance check
2. STP route this request to the
Balance+ platform
3. Balance+ send request to OCS
4. OCS reply with subscriber information
Balance+ selects
advertising message
5. Balance+ reply with USSD answer with balance and teaser

13.

Core network integration
SIGTRAN connection to MSС / STP / HSS
Routing from HSS of USSD balance check short code

14.

OCS integration
For targeting purposes Balance+ platform should have the possibility to get the following information about
Subscribers from the OCS (Billing) platform of the Mobile Operator:
Mandatory
Optional
Account balance
Subscriber type (Prepaid, Postpaid, Hybrid)
Language
Active services
Account expiration date
Active Bundles
Tariff plan
Bonuses
Gender
Date of birthday
Other necessary information

15.

Targeting criterion
MAP Integration
HTTP API Integration
Subscriber Balance
Subscriber Balance
Language
Language
Tarif plan
Tarif plan
Expire date
Expire date
Active services/bundles
Balance of SMS, Internet, Voice bundles

16.

OCS integration
Using API on OCS
Using SIGTRAN/MAP interface on OCS

17.

OCS integration
Vendor
ERICSSON
HUAWEI
Comverse One(C1)
RedKnee
ZTE
Interface
Used Method
via UCIP interface to OCS
GetAccountDetails
GetBalanceAndDate
GetAccumulators
CRMExternalInterfaceService
QueryCustomer
CBPAdapter (via DIAMETER)
Credit-Control Request (CCR)
CustomerCareService
SubscriberRetrieve
CAM_GEN_INQUIRY_ISL/SubscriberInformationInquiry
SubscriberInformationInquiryService
WS SOAP Interface
QueryAcctBal/QueryUserProfile
Value-added service

18.

Balance+ integration with OCS via API
Integration via
API
SUBSCRIBER
HLR/MSC/STP
Balance+ platform
OCS

19.

Balance+ Detailed Call Flow OCS integration via API
SUBSCRIBER
Balance+
platform
HLR/MSC/STP
OCS
1. USSD request to *xxx#
2. PSSR *xxx# to Balance+
3. Balance+ send API request to OCS
4. OCS reply with subscriber information
Balance+ selects
advertising message
5. Balance+ reply with USSD answer with balance and teaser

20.

Balance+ detailed call flow of OCS integration via MAP protocol
SUBSCRIBER
8. USSD reply with balance and
teaser
SUBSCRIBER
1. USSD requests to *xxx#
Session ID_1
4. Balance+ send MAP
request to OCS
2. STP route this request
to unifun USSD GW
1. USSD request to *xxx#
7. Response routing to STP
STP
Balance+
platform
STP
Balance+
platform
5. OCS reply with
subscriber information
2. PSSR *xxx# to Unifun USSDGW GT
Session ID_1: CallingGT: STP GT, CalledGT: Balance+ GT1
3. PSSR *xxx# to OCS original GT
Session ID_2: CallingGT: Balance+ GT, CalledGT: IN GT
4. PSSR *xxx# to OCS original GT
Session ID_2: CallingGT: Balance+ GT, CalledGT: IN GT
5. PSSR Ack *xxx# to Unifun USSDGW GT
Session ID_2: CallingGT: IN GT, CalledGT: Balance+ GT
6. PSSR Ack *xxx# to Unifun USSDGW GT
Session ID_2: CallingGT: IN GT, CalledGT: Balance+ GT
8. USSD reply with balance and teaser
7. PSSR Ack to *xxx#
Session ID_1
Session ID_1: CallingGT: Balance+ GT, CalledGT: STP GT
OCS replies to STP with regular balance info
about subscribers balance to the raised USSD
Session
OCS
OCS

21.

Provisioning integration
Any kind of API (SOAP, JSON, XML, etc)
USSD request from subscriber MSISDN

22.

Provisioning integration
Any kind of API (SOAP, JSON, XML, etc)

23.

USSD request from subscriber MSISDN
For example: 1 GB offer activation code *111*2#
2. Request transmitted to Balance+
1. Subscriber orders promoted service
6. Reply with status of activation
SUBSCRIBER
5. Reply with status of activation to subscriber
HLR/MSC/STP
3. USSD request to *111*2#
Balance+
platform
4. USSD response with result of activation
Service Platforms
(Provisioning)

24.

USSD request from subscriber MSISDN
For example: 1 GB offer activation code *111*2#
2. Request transmitted to Balance+
1. Subscriber orders promoted service
Balance 8.25 USD
6. Reply with status of activation
Get 1 GBs weekly Internet
package for only 3 USD per
month.
Reply 1 to activate
Dismiss
SUBSCRIBER
HLR/MSC/STP
Balance+
platform
4. USSD response with result of activation
Reply
Service Platforms
(Provisioning)
iPhone 6S - iOS
5. Reply with status of activation to subscriber
3. Balance+ USSD request to *111*2# for service activation

25.

Servers
Virtual or physical servers

26.

Balance+ general call flow Failover mode
Normal operation mode
Server 1
Server 2
Balance+
USSD GW
Balance+
USSD GW
CBS
PC: 001
PC: 002
PC: 999
Server 1
Server 2
Balance+
USSD GW
Balance+
USSD GW
CBS
PC: 001
PC: 002
PC: 999
USSD requests to *xxx#
HSS
SUBSCRIBER
Route 1: *xxx# traffic is routed to
Balance+ platform 1 PC: 001
Normal operation mode
USSD requests to *xxx#
X
HSS
SUBSCRIBER
Balance+ platform 1 SS7 Point
Code unreachable (Balance+
SIGTRAN links are DOWN)
Route 2: *xxx# traffic is routed to Balance+ platform 2 PC: 002
Failover operation mode
USSD requests to *xxx#
SUBSCRIBER
Server 1
Server 2
Balance+
USSD GW
Balance+
USSD GW
CBS
PC: 001
PC: 002
PC: 999
X
HSS
Balance+ platform 1 SS7 Point
Code unreachable (Balance+
SIGTRAN links are DOWN)
Balance+ platform 2 SS7 Point Code unreachable (Balance+ SIGTRAN links are DOWN)
X
Route 3: *xxx# traffic is routed to CBS/IN PC: 999

27.

Balance+ detailed call flow Failover mode
SUBSCRIBER
Balance+
USSD GW
HLR/MSC/SCP
OCS
1. USSD request to *xxx#
2. Failover rule on STP/HSS redirects request directly to OCS
2. Request routed to Balance+
3. Balance & Subscriber info request
4. Balance & Subscriber info reply
5. Reply routed to STP/HSS
4. USSD reply with standard balance check reply
3. OCS replies to STP/HSS with standard balance check reply

28.

Proxy Mode
Proxy operation mode
Proxy when some of the platforms respond with delay

29.

Balance+ Call Flow Proxy additional USSD sub codes
3. Balance+ proxy request from short
code *xxx*1# to OCS
2. STP routes this request to Balance+
1. USSD request to *xxx*1#
SUBSCRIBER
6. USSD reply to *xxx*1#
HLR/MSC/STP
5. USSD GW proxy received answer to
subscriber without any changes
4.OCS reply to HSS/STP with standard
USSD answer
Balance+
platform
HLR/MSC/STP
SUBSCRIBER
Balance+
platform
OCS
OCS
MSC/STP
MSC/STP
Receive USSD
requests
Receive USSD
requests
1. USSD request to *xxx*1#
2. PSSR *xxx*1# to Balance+
3. Balance+ proxy request from short
code *xxx*1# to OCS
Balance+
platform
4. OCS reply with subscriber information
Balance+ selects
advertising message
SIGTRAN
SUBSCRIBER
5. Balance+ proxy received answer to subscriber without any changes.
OCS
Receive balance
information of
Subscriber

30.

Balance+ call flow Proxy operation mode
Unifun Balance+ Platform
1. USSD request to *xxx#
2. STP routes this request to
Balance+
6. USSD reply
5. USSDGW proxy received
answer without changes
SUBSCRIBER
MSC/STP/HLR
3. USSDGW make request to OCS
Balance+
USSD GW
Balance+
Application
SUBSCRIBER
4. OCS replies with regular reply
OCS
NOT USED
Unifun Balance+ Platform
SUBSCRIBER
Balance+
USSD GW
MSC/HSS
1. USSD requests to *xxx#
Session ID_1
Balance+
Application
NOT USED
OCS
MSC/STP
MSC/STP
Receive USSD
requests
Receive USSD
requests
2. PSSR *xxx# to Unifun USSDGW GT 1
Session ID_1: CallingGT: STP GT, CalledGT: Balance+ GT1
3. PSSR *xxx# to OCS original GT
Session ID_2: CallingGT: Balance+ GT, CalledGT: IN GT
USSD GW
4. PSSR *xxx# to OCS original GT
5. PSSR Ack *xxx# to Unifun USSDGW GT
Session ID_2: CallingGT: IN GT, CalledGT: Balance+
GT
5. PSSR Ack *xxx# to Unifun USSDGW GT
OCS replies to STP with regular reply
Receive balance
information of
Subscriber
SIGTRAN
Session ID_2: CallingGT: Balance+ GT, CalledGT: IN
GT
Session ID_2: CallingGT: IN GT, CalledGT: Balance+ GT
8. USSD reply
Session ID_1
7. USSD GW proxy received answer to
subscriber without any changes.
Session ID_1: CallingGT: Balance+ GT, CalledGT: STP GT
OCS
Balance+
logic

31.

Interactive USSD tails 1-step activation flow
11:25
11:25
11:26
MNO
Monday 11:26
Balance: 8.58 USD
Get 500 MB mobile internet
valid for 24h!
Reply 1 to activate
Your request was accepted
for processing. Please wait
for the confirmation SMS
STEP 1
STEP 2
500 MB of mobile
internet was
successfully activated!
1
ACTIVATION STATUS

32.

Interactive USSD tails 1-step activation flow
11:25
11:25
1. Subscriber makes USSD request
SUBSCRIBER
Balance: 8.58 USD
Get 500 MB mobile internet
valid for 24h!
Reply 1 to activate
2. Subscriber replied 1 to activate
promoted service
Your request was accepted
for processing. Please wait for
the confirmation SMS
3. Service activation request
Provisioning System
1
11:26
MNO
Monday 11:26
500 MB of mobile
internet was
successfully activated
for 24h!
4. Provisioning System sends SMS message with status of activation

33.

Interactive USSD tails 2-step activation flow
11:25
11:25
11:25
11:26
MNO
Monday 11:26
Balance: 8.58 USD
Get 500 MB mobile internet
valid for 24h!
Reply 1 for more info.
Enjoy lightning fast internet for
only 0.50 usd/day
Reply 1 to activate
Your request was accepted
for processing. Please wait
for the confirmation SMS
500 MB of mobile
internet was
successfully activated!
1
1
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
ACTIVATION STATUS

34.

Interactive USSD tails 2-step activation flow
11:25
1. Subscriber makes USSD request
Balance: 8.58 USD
Get 500 MB mobile internet
valid for 24h!
Reply 1 for more info.
11:25
Enjoy lightning fast internet
for only 0.50 usd/day
Reply 1 to activate
2. Subscriber replied 1 to receive
more info about promotion
3. Subscriber replied 1 to activate
promoted service
Your request was accepted
for processing. Please wait for
the confirmation SMS
SUBSCRIBER
1
1
4. Service activation request
11:26
MNO
Monday 11:26
500 MB of mobile
internet was
successfully
activated for 24h!
6. Activation status
5. Provisioning System sends SMS message with status of activation
Provisioning System

35.

Interactive USSD-menu activation flow
11:25
11:25
11:25
11:26
MNO
Monday 11:26
Balance: 8.58 USD
Out of Internet? Choose your
daily data plan:
1>50MB – 0.05$
2>250MB – 0.25$
3>500MB – 0.50$
Enjoy lightning fast internet for
only 0.50 usd/day
Reply 1 to activate
Your request was accepted
for processing. Please wait
for the confirmation SMS
250 MB of mobile
internet was
successfully activated!
1
2
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
ACTIVATION STATUS

36.

Interactive USSD-menu activation flow
11:25
11:25
1. Subscriber makes USSD request
SUBSCRIBER
Balance: 8.58 USD
Out of Internet? Choose your
daily data plan:
1>50MB – 0.05$
2>250MB – 0.25$
3>500MB – 0.50$
Enjoy lightning fast 4G+
internet for only 0.25
usd/day
Reply 1 to activate
2. Subscriber replies 2 to receive
more info about promotion
3. Subscriber replied 1 to activate
promoted service
Your request was accepted
for processing. Please wait for
the confirmation SMS
1
2
4. Service activation request
11:26
MNO
Monday 11:26
500 MB of mobile
internet was
successfully
activated for 24h!
6. Activation status
5. Provisioning System sends SMS message with status of activation
Provisioning System

37.

Balance+
Thank you for attention
don’t miss to contact us :)
George Karagheaur
george.karagheaur
Chief Executive Officer
g.karagheaur@unifun.com