Telecoms billing has undergone significant changes over the last five years thanks to advancements in technology and evolving consumer demands. Whilst 5 years may not seem that long, in the world of telecoms billing, we have seen significant change. From simple metered billing to flat rate billing encompassing a wide range of services and real time monitoring, telecoms billing has evolved significantly.
The focus has undoubtedly shifted towards providing more flexible and customised billing options to meet the more diverse needs of customers in a digitally connected world. Telecoms billing platforms have in turn had to become more dynamic and flexible.
In this blog, we detail some of these key changes to the telecoms billing landscape over the last 5 years.
1. Billing Models
Five years ago, most telecoms billing followed a traditional model where customers subscribed to specific plans or packages that included a set number of minutes, texts and data. Additional charges were incurred for exceeding the allocated limits. Customers had to carefully track their usage to avoid unexpected charges. Today, there is a trend towards simplifying pricing structures. Billing models have become more flexible, with options such as shared data plans, unlimited data plans and customizable plans that allow customers to select the specific features and services they need.
2. Evolution of Services
The introduction of 5G networks has brought about a new era of telecoms billing, with advanced systems that can handle massive amounts of data and support new technologies. The 2025 Switch Off has also brought an array of challenges. As more customers migrate to 4G and 5G networks, data consumption is likely to increase. Telecoms may need to adjust data allowances, data caps, and pricing tiers to accommodate this shift. Billing systems will also need to adapt to handle these changes and accurately calculate data charges based on the updated pricing structures. Bulk data management has become more important as billers need to remove hundreds of redundant lines and replace them with other services.
3. Convergence of Services
With the convergence of telecommunications, internet and digital services, billing systems have adapted to handle multiple services under a single platform. Telecom providers now offer bundled plans that include voice, data, messaging, internet and even entertainment services, within a unified billing structure. This allows customers to pay a single bill for multiple services, simplifying their billing and making it more convenient.
4. Data Usage
Five years ago, data usage was a significant concern for many customers. There were limitations on data allowances, and exceeding those limits often resulted in high overage charges. Today, data has become more abundant and affordable. Many service providers offer unlimited data plans or high data caps at reasonable prices, enabling customers to enjoy more data-intensive activities without worrying about exceeding limits.
5. Roaming Charges
Roaming charges were a common source of frustration for travellers five years ago. Using mobile services in a different country often incurred steep charges. However, regulatory changes and competitive pressures have led to a reduction in roaming charges in many regions. Some service providers even offer international roaming packages or have eliminated roaming charges altogether within specific regions.
6. Billing Transparency
Five years ago, billing transparency was a concern for many customers. It was not always easy to understand the breakdown of charges on the bill, leading to confusion and potential disputes. Today, there is greater emphasis on providing clear and detailed bills that outline the charges, services, and any applicable discounts or promotions. Many telecom providers offer online portals and real-time usage tracking through their billing platforms to enhance transparency. In fact, as of December 2021, these self-serve functions are no longer a ‘nice to have’, rather a necessity. Ofcom’s amendments to their General Conditions require resellers to provide end-users with the ability to check their usage, spend and invoices online, protecting businesses of all sizes. This self-serve functionality empowers customers to manage their consumption and avoid unexpected charges.
7. Value-Added Services
Modern telecoms billing platforms can do so much more than just produce accurate invoices. With increased competitiveness, telecoms providers have turned to their billing platforms to add value. This includes improving the customer experience through self-service functionality, optimising margins through advanced reporting, improving productivity through automation and bulk update functionality, and even increasing sales through cross-selling and improved brand perception.
Overall, telecoms billing has evolved towards greater simplicity, transparency and flexibility. Customers now have more options, clearer pricing structures and improved access to billing information, making it easier to understand and manage their telecom expenses.
Telecoms billing platforms, like ZOEY, have in turn become more dynamic and flexible. What’s more, Tekton Billing has led the innovation in IT and Telecoms billing over the last 5 years, up-ending the industry’s misconception that billing is just “billing”…
Contact us today to find out how ZOEY can help support your business growth.
