Emirates Data Clearing House, a leading data clearing house in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, has launched its campaign for Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016 that will revolve around unleashing roaming profits through specialised EDCH solutions.

 

Despite the growth in mobile internet usage and smartphones ownership, subscribers are switching off data services devices when travelling, according to figures from EDCH.

 

The average smartphone user uses 2.2 GB of data per month until they travel, when 70 per cent switch off. This rises to 84 per cent who stop social media usage when travelling, it said.

 

Nasser Salim, general manager, EDCH, said: “The evidence shows that data usage is growing rapidly, but this falls dramatically when subscribers travel. The main factors in this reduction are the fear of high prices and bill shock. With $17 billion estimated to be being spent on alternatives to mobile roaming services, there is an immense opportunity for operators to benefit.”

 

Research conducted by Emirates Data Clearing has analysed subscribers’ behaviour so MNOs can predict best suitable roaming package for their subscribers to fill this gap.

 

Innovating 'out of the box' roaming packages that suit users’ usage behaviours, bundled roaming packages with unlimited wifi roaming, offering data usage monitoring and notification services and usage of the relevant IPX are some of the key EDCH solutions that have helped the MNO s enhance their profitability in the roaming segment.

 

“Today users feel the increasing need to be connected wherever they are. While operators create lucrative premium data roaming packages to target their business travelers and enterprise users, they should capitalise on the usage patterns of different user segments outside this high-value group," said Salim.

 

"The popularity of OTT messaging applications has also fueled the behavior of the typical silent roamer to rely on cheaper or free 'local breakout options' for their asynchronous communication needs. The EDCH new set of bill shock solutions will provide a one stop shop solution that carrier and wholesale division of network operators,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service