Building an autonomous network, requires the network to be able to detect, or sense changes. CORTEX continuously monitors GSMA RAEX IR.21 and IR.85 updates, identifying configuration changes, and validating them for accuracy before they reach your network. CORTEX can also process direct Partner updates, whether they follow the GSMA template or not. If you want to extend beyond this use case to create a fully autonomous network, read our other Use Case pages; Roaming Analysis and Network Deployment
As an Operator, managing roaming partner and hubbing updates is a critical but highly complex process. IR.21 and IR.85 documents arrive frequently, often in different formats, and must be validated against network configuration rules before changes are implemented. Manual review is slow, resource-heavy, and prone to human error.
Operators face constant pressure to keep roaming configurations accurate, as delays or mistakes can impact roaming partner trust, degrade customer experience for inbound/outbound roamers, and risk lost wholesale revenue. Reputational damage and compliance failures are frequent risks where processes lack automation.
This Operator was handling 50–100 IR.21 partner and IR.85 hub updates per week across its roaming footprint. Each update required parsing, validation, and comparison with previous partner data before being logged and distributed to internal teams.
The Customer needed to:
CORTEX was deployed to automate Stage 1: Detect Partner Changes. The solution securely connected to the GSMA Roaming Gateway via REST API with OAuth 2.0, ingesting subscribed IR.21 and IR.85 updates automatically.
Partner’s IR.21 and IR.85 files were parsed into structured JSON, enriched with metadata, and stored in a local staging database. The system then validated field formats (e.g., MCC/MNC, GT address ranges, IP addresses), checked data dependencies (e.g., node type alignment, vendor/software consistency), and compared datasets with prior versions.
Detected changes were categorized into Additions, Removals, or Modifications, and automatically published as Change Summaries and Partner & Hub Change Logs in the operator’s ticketing system for audit and compliance.
The automation replaced a slow, manual process with near real-time IR.21 and IR.85 update validation. This reduced human error, accelerated time-to-detection, and provided auditable records for regulatory and partner assurance purposes.
The solution:
Design to Deploy Time – 3 Months
Approximate Software Cost – $24,000 per year
Return on Investment – Month 6, 3 months after go-live.
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