Proximus Partners with Nokia to Modernize Its Charging System and Voice Core Infrastructure

Brussels, Belgium – In a significant move to strengthen its digital infrastructure and future-proof its telecommunications network, Proximus, Belgium’s leading digital services and connectivity provider, has selected Nokia as a strategic technology partner to modernize its charging system and voice core network. This initiative marks an important milestone in Proximus’ long-term transformation strategy, aimed at delivering more agile, scalable, and innovative services to both consumer and enterprise customers.

The modernization project focuses on replacing legacy systems with cloud-native, software-based solutions that can better support emerging technologies, new business models, and evolving customer expectations. By leveraging Nokia’s advanced expertise in telecom core networks and digital business platforms, Proximus is positioning itself to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global telecom landscape.

Strategic Importance of the Modernization Project

The decision to modernize both the charging system and voice core is driven by the increasing complexity of modern telecom services. Traditional voice and billing platforms, often built decades ago, struggle to support real-time charging, digital services, and the flexibility required by 5G, IoT, and converged networks.

With this initiative, Proximus aims to:

• Improve operational efficiency by simplifying network architecture
• Enable faster time-to-market for new digital services
• Support real-time charging and flexible pricing models
• Enhance service reliability and customer experience
• Prepare the network for future technologies, including 5G Advanced and beyond

This modernization effort reflects a broader industry trend, where telecom operators are moving away from hardware-centric systems toward cloud-native, software-driven platforms.

Role of Nokia in the Transformation

Nokia brings extensive experience in delivering large-scale telecom transformations for operators worldwide. Under this partnership, Nokia will provide its next-generation charging and voice core solutions, designed to operate in cloud environments and support open architectures.

The new charging system will enable real-time billing across multiple services, including voice, data, messaging, and digital applications. This capability is essential for modern use cases such as bundled offerings, dynamic pricing, and enterprise solutions.

At the same time, the modernized voice core will ensure seamless voice services across fixed and mobile networks, while supporting Voice over LTE (VoLTE), Voice over New Radio (VoNR), and future IP-based voice technologies.

Cloud-Native and Software-Based Architecture

A key feature of Nokia’s solution is its cloud-native design. Instead of relying on proprietary hardware, the system runs on standard IT infrastructure, either in private clouds or hybrid environments. This approach offers several advantages:

• Greater scalability to handle traffic growth
• Lower total cost of ownership
• Faster deployment of new features
• Improved resilience and fault tolerance

For Proximus, this means greater flexibility to adapt its network as customer needs evolve, without the constraints of legacy systems.

Enhancing Customer Experience Through Real-Time Charging

One of the most significant benefits of the new charging system is the ability to support real-time charging and policy control. Customers increasingly expect transparent pricing, instant service activation, and personalized offers. Legacy billing systems often lack the responsiveness required to meet these expectations.

The modern charging platform enables Proximus to introduce innovative pricing models, such as:

• Usage-based and event-based charging
• Personalized bundles for consumers and enterprises
• Real-time balance updates and notifications
• Flexible partner and ecosystem billing

This capability is particularly important as Proximus expands its digital services portfolio beyond traditional connectivity.

Modernizing the Voice Core for the IP Era

While data services continue to grow rapidly, voice remains a critical service for both consumers and businesses. The modernization of the voice core ensures that Proximus can continue to deliver high-quality, reliable voice services while transitioning to all-IP networks.

The new voice core architecture supports:

• Seamless interworking between legacy and IP-based voice services
• Advanced call features and enhanced audio quality
• Integration with unified communications and collaboration platforms
• Support for emergency services and regulatory requirements

This ensures continuity of service while enabling innovation.

Supporting 5G, IoT, and Enterprise Use Cases

The modernization project is closely aligned with Proximus’ 5G and digital services strategy. As 5G adoption increases, networks must handle a wide range of use cases, from enhanced mobile broadband to massive IoT and ultra-reliable low-latency communications.

The combination of a modern charging system and voice core allows Proximus to:

• Monetize 5G services more effectively
• Support network slicing and differentiated service levels
• Offer tailored solutions for industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics
• Enable new revenue streams through partnerships and digital ecosystems

For enterprise customers, this translates into more flexible and reliable connectivity solutions.

Operational Efficiency and Sustainability

Beyond service innovation, the modernization initiative also supports Proximus’ operational and sustainability goals. Cloud-native systems typically consume less energy than legacy hardware-based platforms, contributing to reduced carbon emissions.

In addition, simplified network operations and automation reduce the need for manual intervention, lowering operational costs and minimizing the risk of human error.

These efficiencies allow Proximus to reinvest savings into further innovation and customer-focused initiatives.

Industry Perspective and Market Impact

The partnership between Proximus and Nokia highlights the growing importance of digital transformation in the telecom sector. As competition intensifies and customer expectations rise, operators must modernize core systems to remain relevant.

Analysts view this move as a proactive step that strengthens Proximus’ market position in Belgium and beyond. By investing in future-ready infrastructure today, the company is better equipped to respond to market changes tomorrow.

Statements from the Companies

Executives from both companies emphasized the strategic nature of the collaboration. Proximus highlighted the need for a flexible and scalable core network to support its long-term vision, while Nokia underscored its commitment to helping operators transform their networks through software-based solutions.

The collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies, reflecting mutual trust and shared technological vision.

Implementation Timeline and Deployment Approach

The modernization will be implemented in phases to ensure service continuity and minimize disruption for customers. This phased approach allows Proximus to migrate services gradually, validate performance, and optimize operations along the way.

Nokia will work closely with Proximus’ technical teams throughout the deployment, providing integration, testing, and support services.

Future Outlook for Proximus

Looking ahead, the modernized charging system and voice core will serve as a foundation for future innovations. Proximus plans to continue expanding its digital services portfolio, leveraging data analytics, automation, and cloud technologies.

The upgraded core infrastructure also opens the door to deeper collaboration with partners, application developers, and enterprise customers, fostering a more dynamic digital ecosystem.

Broader Implications for the Telecom Industry

This project illustrates a broader shift within the telecom industry toward cloud-native architectures and software-defined networks. Operators worldwide face similar challenges related to legacy systems, rising costs, and the need for agility.

By taking decisive action now, Proximus sets an example for other operators considering similar transformations.

Conclusion

The selection of Nokia to modernize Proximus’ charging system and voice core represents a strategic investment in the future of connectivity. Through this partnership, Proximus enhances its ability to deliver innovative, reliable, and customer-centric services while improving operational efficiency and sustainability.

As the telecom industry continues to evolve, such forward-looking initiatives will be essential for operators seeking to thrive in the digital era.

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