Blockchain-based inter-operator settlement system

Abstract

Inter-network settlement is a critical mechanism for ensuring quality service and sustainable growth in the telecommunications industry. However, existing practices among operators suffer from inefficient, including manual workflows, untrustworthy data foundations, insecure dispute resolution, and insufficient accountability oversight. These challenges lead to prolonged settlement cycles, operational redundancies, and heightened risks of errors or leaks. To address these issues, we propose a blockchain-powered settlement chain framework that integrates business and technical systems to enable intelligent, trusted, and automated cross-operator settlement management. By synergizing consortium blockchain, privacy-preserving computation, and decentralized governance protocols, the framework establishes an end-to-end digital workflow covering data exchange, verification, auditing, and reconciliation. Key innovations include: (1) a multi-operator co-built consortium chain with cross-cloud networking and peer-to-peer governance; (2) a “data-available-but-invisible” auditing mechanism combining blockchain and privacy-preserving computation to ensure secure, compliant interactions; and (3) a dynamic chaincode architecture supporting real-time rule synchronization and adaptive cryptographic controls. The framework achieves full-process traceability, automated reconciliation, and enhanced financial governance while reducing reliance on manual intervention. This work provides a transformative paradigm for modernizing telecommunications settlement systems through digital trust infrastructure.