Shaping Mobile Voice, Data & Internet with Ericsson & Subex
Across telecommunications, voice, data and internet technologies are reforming how we connect with each other. Mobile technology pioneer Ericsson is at the forefront of this transformation. Each leap in technology has improved voice clarity and data speeds, with an innovative eye now on 6G. Meanwhile, Subex uses the power of AI to address mobile network fraud. Through its HyperSense offerings, Subex uses real-time data and advanced algorithms to protect communication service providers (CSPs) from fraud.
Together, Ericsson's advancements in mobile technology and Subex’s AI-driven solutions represent a new era of connectivity, where enhanced voice clarity, faster data transmission and secure internet experiences drive new opportunities.
Subex's AI agents utilise mobile network data to combat fraud
Telecom AI company Subex enables connected experiences for communication service providers (CSPs) around the globe.
Founded in 1994, the company has been a core part of the evolution of mobile technology.
“Today, we are consultants to global telecom carriers for operational excellence and business transformation by driving new revenue models, enhancing the customer experience and optimising the enterprise,” says Harsha Angeri, the Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Head, AI Business at Subex.
Through its HyperSense line of offerings, Subex empowers CSPs and enterprise customers to make faster, better decisions by leveraging AI across the data value chain. Subex leverages its product portfolio in areas such as fraud management and helps CSPs reduce risk, combat fraud and ensure profitability.
In particular, Subex’s AI agents use data streams from mobile networks to make informed decisions in detecting fraudulent activities.
“Imagine tireless assistants constantly learning and adapting to combat a persistent threat,” Harsha explains. “That's the power of LLM-based AI agents in the fight against mobile network fraud.”
These intelligent software programmes act as guardians of the network, analysing data streams in real-time to identify and prevent suspicious activity.
“Mobile networks generate a constant flow of data about user activity,” he continues. “AI agents tap into this stream, analysing various data points to build a comprehensive picture of user behaviour.”
This data can include:
Account information
“Details like customer profiles, plan types and historical usage patterns provide a baseline for normal activity,” says Harsha.
Device identity
“Information about the phone model, IMEI number and operating system helps identify potential inconsistencies or unauthorised device usage,” he continues.
SIM tenure
“The length of time a SIM card has been active can raise red flags if suspicious activity occurs shortly after a SIM change.”
Real-time data on data usage, call history and location can reveal anomalies, like sudden spikes in data consumption or frequent location changes outside a user's typical area. Yet, AI agents don't just collect data, they analyse it using sophisticated algorithms.
“AI agents are trained on historical data of known fraudulent activities. This allows them to recognise patterns in network activity that might indicate similar attempts,” Harsha explains. “Data analysis goes beyond just identifying anomalies. AI agents consider the context of the data point. For instance, a spike in data usage while travelling might be normal, but the same activity from a stationary device could be suspicious.”
The world of fraud is constantly evolving and Harsha’s AI agents are designed to keep pace.
“By constantly being trained on new data, including past fraudulent activities, AI agents improve their ability to identify new tactics and adapt their detection methods,” he says. “By analysing past trends and current network activity, AI agents can predict the likelihood of fraudulent behaviour. This proactive approach allows preventative measures to be taken before fraud attempts occur.”
For Harsha, AI agents are not simply passive observers, they are active guardians of mobile networks.
“By leveraging data streams, machine learning and real-time analysis, they offer a powerful weapon in the fight against fraud, helping to protect both network operators and their customers.”
Unlike static algorithms, AI adapts to new data and evolving fraud tactics.
“Static algorithms have limitations. They excel at specific tasks but struggle to adapt to changing environments. This is a major drawback in the fight against mobile network fraud, where fraudsters are constantly devising new tactics,” adds Harsha. “Here's where LLM-based AI agents shine – their ability to adapt to new data and evolving fraud tactics significantly impacts the mobile sector.”
AI agents in fraud management operate independently, making decisions and taking immediate actions without constant human intervention. This autonomy, combined with real-time actioning, allows CSPs to reduce fraud response significantly.
“AI agents can autonomously execute actions like blocking suspicious transactions or triggering additional authentication, enhancing fraud prevention capabilities and minimising losses,” he explains. “AI agents continuously learn from new data, including past fraud attempts. This allows them to identify emerging patterns and adapt their detection methods. This ongoing learning cycle keeps AI agents ahead of the curve, leading to a significant improvement in fraud detection rates within the mobile sector.”
Furthermore, AI agents can analyse vast amounts of data in real-time, allowing them to predict potential fraud attempts before they occur.
“This proactive approach allows mobile network operators to take preventative measures, such as strengthening security protocols or blocking suspicious activity, significantly reducing the risk of financial losses and network disruptions.”
By effectively preventing fraud attempts and reducing false positives, AI agents can lead to significant cost savings for mobile network operators. This translates to lower operational costs, improved financial health and potentially, more competitive service offerings for mobile users.
“The need of the hour is for machines to take over the fight against fraud and an army of AI Agents is the way forward,” says Harsha.
Ericsson's mobile innovations and AI are shaping the future of voice, data and the internet in telecommunications
For generations, Ericsson has led the development of mobile technology. A significant milestone was the introduction of GSM, which greatly improved voice clarity and roaming capabilities. With the introduction of 3G, Ericsson brought in Voice over IP (VoIP), making voice transmission more efficient and affordable, allowing people to communicate over long distances more easily.
“As mobile technology evolved, so did our data services,” explains Alper Benli, Head of Transformation and Strategic Programmes at Ericsson. “The rise of 3G brought new technologies that boosted data transfer rates, making mobile internet more accessible and reliable. This technology allows users to browse the web, stream music and watch videos more smoothly.”
The introduction of 4G brought higher data speeds and more reliable connections, significantly improving user experience. High-definition video streaming became possible and download and upload speeds increased, enhancing the performance of mobile apps and services.
“Now, with the shift to 5G, we are opening up a new generation of technology with ultra-low latency, higher data rates and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously,” he continues. “5G technology supports new use cases such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities and advanced healthcare solutions. It also enables faster and more reliable communication for industries, enhancing efficiency and productivity.”
Ericsson’s progress in mobile technology, especially with the rollout of 5G, will significantly enhance the customer experience.
“The most noticeable changes for customers will be faster internet speeds and more reliable connections,” says Alper. “This is particularly beneficial for applications that require real-time data transmission, such as online gaming and virtual reality. Gamers will experience less lag and more immersive gameplay, while virtual reality applications will become more responsive and engaging.”
5G will also improve the quality of voice calls, ensuring clear and reliable communication, which is crucial for both personal and business interactions. Additionally, the integration of IoT will allow seamless connectivity between devices, enhancing the convenience and efficiency of smart home technologies, connected cars and wearable devices. For instance, smart home devices, lights, and security systems will work together more efficiently, providing a more cohesive and user-friendly experience.
“Moreover, 5G will enable personalised services through technologies like network slicing. This allows service providers to prioritise certain applications, such as healthcare services that require low latency and high reliability,” Alper adds.
For example, remote surgery and telemedicine will become more feasible, providing better healthcare access to remote and underserved areas. The implementation of 5G technology will also open up new economic opportunities, enabling new business models and services, from AR and VR applications to advanced industrial automation.
“Smart factories will become more efficient and new entertainment experiences will be created, enriching people's lives,” he says. “Overall, 5G will deliver a more connected, efficient and enriched customer experience, fostering a new era of digital innovation. Customers will benefit from improved communication, enhanced convenience and access to new and exciting services that were previously unimaginable.”
AI is playing a transformative role in the telecommunications industry and at Ericsson the company is leveraging its capabilities to optimise networks, enhance customer experiences and drive innovation.
“Firstly, AI significantly enhances our network management,” Alper explains. “The increasing complexity of networks, especially with the rise of 5G and IoT devices, makes efficient management crucial. AI automates many of the tasks involved in network management, analysing vast amounts of data in real-time to identify and predict potential issues. This proactive approach allows us to address problems before they affect users, leading to more reliable network performance and a better overall user experience.”
As Harsha said, AI opens up new business opportunities for telecom operators, in creating new services and business models, understanding customers, improving marketing strategies and developing new revenue streams.
“Security is another critical area where AI makes a significant impact. AI can monitor network traffic in real-time, detecting anomalies that may indicate security threats and responding promptly to mitigate these threats. This proactive approach to security helps protect the network and customer data, fostering trust and reliability,” says Alper.
Looking ahead, the role of AI in telecommunications will continue to grow. As mobile networks become more complex, offering clearer voice calls, more data and stronger internet connections, AI will be essential in managing and optimising them.
“As we advance towards 6G, AI will play a crucial role in achieving unprecedented data speeds, ultra-low latency, and advanced IoT applications.”
To read the full story in the magazine click HERE
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