Governance

Governance

Validator Authorizations

To participate as a Validator on the Telcoin Network, mobile network operator GSMA members must follow a specific authorization process. This process involves submitting a Validator authorizations form on the Telcoin forum, proposing the prospective Validator on the Compliance Council Snapshot, receiving approval from the Compliance Council, staking the initial issuance, and joining the network as an authorized node operator.

Summary

All GSMA Operator members must follow the same process in order to participate in the position of Validator. The process is as follows.

Authorization Process

Eligible participants must use the following authorization process to enter the position of Validator.

  • Forum Proposal: The applicant or the Telcoin Autonomous Ops, Ltd (TAO) must submit a Validator authorizations form to the “Authorizations: Validators” section of the Telcoin forum.
  • CCIP Proposal: The TAO or another member of any Miner Council may submit the CCIP authorizations proposal for the prospective Validator to the Compliance Council Snapshot for review and authorization.
  • Authorization: The Compliance Council will then approve (or deny) the Validator, following the KYM process , and then distribute an initial TEL issuance to the Validator’s wallet address for staking.
  • Proof of Stake: The Validator stakes the initial issuance and begins producing blocks. The Validator’s stake is verified when joining the network to ensure only authorized node operators can participate.

    • Actors Involved

  • Prospective Validators: GSMA Operator Member, MNOs who seek to participate as a validator on Telcoin Network. Applicants must submit their vault address and GSMA membership status to the Telcoin forum either on their own or through the TAO.
  • TAO: Responsible for networking with the GSMA and facilitating new validator authorizations by proposing prospective validators to the Telcoin Forum and the Compliance Council Snapshot.
  • Formal Proposal Author: Any member of any governing council may submit a prospective validator to the Compliance Council snapshot after their letter of intent has been submitted to the Telcoin Forum.
  • Compliance Council: Responsible for reviewing, verifying and authorizing (or rejecting) prospective applicants.

    • Infrastructure Involved

  • Validator Authorizations Forum Channel
  • Compliance Council Snapshot
    • Description: In order to be authorized, a prospective validator’s application must be submitted to the Compliance Council snapshot and affirmed by the Compliance Council.
  • Staking Contract
    • Description: Once authorized, a validator must stake their issued TEL using their wallet and a designated smart contract.
  • Telcoin Network Client (binary for consensus)
    • Description: Node operators manage a client that forms consensus with other network participants by issuing and verifying transactions, blocks, and certificates. In order to join the network, validators are authenticated using their wallet’s signature and authorized by verifying the amount of staked TEL associated with their wallet’s address.
      • Joining the network: The binary reaches out to one (or several - depending on network congestion) predefined “beacon” nodes that are solely responsible for helping operators join the network. These nodes have static addresses and do not participate in consensus. Instead, a beacon node:
        • Receives requests to join the network
        • Verifies that the node requesting access to the network is signed by a wallet
        • Confirms that the same wallet has enough TEL designated to the staking contract

          • The beacon node exchanges information with the requesting node once this information is confirmed, essentially allowing the new node to discover peers and participate on the network.

    • Further Information

    Validators: Eligibility and Authorization Rules

    Validators: Overview