Monday, September 17, 2012

LTE Diameter Traffic Calculator

Diametriq Unveils Interactive LTE Diameter Traffic Calculator

Web-based Traffic Model Calculates LTE Diameter Signaling Load

Melbourne, FL - September 17, 2012 - Diametriq, a leader in addressing LTE signaling network issues, announced today the first web-based interactive tool that automatically calculates the Diameter signaling load based on a variety of input variables such as the number of LTE devices and how subscribers use them. The Diameter Traffic Calculator(tm) generates reports that include graphical presentations and signaling load by network element. 

"The industry has been projecting signaling overload in LTE networks, the so called signaling tsunami or signaling storm," said Anjan Ghosal, president and CEO of Diametriq. "Diametriq's LTE Signaling Traffic Calculator provides accurate projections of signaling hot spots so they can be addressed before the congestion causes service outages." 

The Diameter Traffic Calculator uses eight variables such as the number of LTE devices, and their projected yearly growth, number of simultaneous applications and expected dormancy of applications to estimate the diameter traffic in a specific network. It also factors in the percentage of postpaid subscribers and projected VoLTE users. The results are extrapolated over a 5 years period based on specified growth rates. In addition to reporting total Diameter messages per year, the tool also projects Diameter messages by network element: HSS, PCRF and OCS. Graphical representations of the results are also provided and the results can be exported to a spreadsheet. The Calculator can be accessed from Diametriq's website at http://www.diametriq.com/lte-signaling-traffic-model/

"Operators are a bit skeptical of market reports that have given a very wide range of traffic projections," commented Mr. Ghosal. "This tool is the first attempt in the industry to allow operators to input their own network information and get a customized Diameter traffic profile for their own network." 

The Diameter Traffic Calculator can be used by network operators to understand if and when there will be congestion in the control plane. 4G networks generate more signaling traffic, especially with the growth of 4G devices and the explosion of applications that run on them. The industry has defined the Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC), which addresses signaling issues in LTE networks such as traffic management, service enablement and interoperability. The Traffic Calculator can be used by network operators to predict when a DSC will be needed, where it should be placed in the network and how to scale for future growth. 

"While 4G opportunities are alluring, they are accompanied by non-trivial challenges including exponential growth in signaling traffic driven by data-rich applications from always-on smart phones. Unless appropriately addressed, excessive signaling can be detrimental to the data core potentially bringing down vital network elements," said Sridhar Pai, CEO of Tonse Telecom, a research firm tracking the wireless industry. "The Diametriq tool is interactive and is useful in generating a series of 'what-if' scenarios to envisage signaling overload for a mix of device and application use cases." 

"While the interactive tool is simple to use, the model behind it is actually quite complex," added Mr. Ghosal. "Interested parties can request a customized signaling traffic model with additional parameters and a higher degree of precision by contacting Diametriq." 

Diametriq, an innovator in LTE signaling control technologies, was launched in 2012 to focus on "Smart Signaling" solutions and meeting the ever increasing signaling traffic demands of 4G/LTE networks. The company was derived from key assets including executive leadership, engineering, and technologies from IntelliNet Technologies, a wireless solutions company founded in 1992. Diametriq boasts a high performance Diameter platform that is widely deployed by leading network operators around the globe. 

Diametriq's flagship product is its Diameter Routing Engine(tm) (DRE) which provides load balancing, roaming and interworking that can be customized to an operator's specific requirements. The platform is flexible to meet the demands of today's wireless operators that must manage the surge in signaling traffic brought about by the dramatic growth in smart phone, tablet and other wireless devices.


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

How much faster is LTE than 3G?

In the latest LTE Blog post by Benny, a demonstration shows just how much faster, actions speak louder than words.

EE LTE speeds – on test!

Written by Benny

Friday, September 7, 2012

Skype offers carrier billing through MACH

     
MACH to enable new mobile payment option for Skype Credits globally
MACH has been selected by Skype as the first vendor to deliver direct operator billing to new and existing Skype users in markets across the globe, starting in October. The rollout will enable Skype to offer its customers an additional way to purchase Skype Credit, with the hope it will create new revenue streams in existing markets, as well as in new markets where other payment methods have low penetration rates.
When the solution is live in October, Skype users will be able to purchase Skype Credits from desktop PCs and mobile devices, through browser-based purchases and in the future, through in-app functionality. Direct Operator Billing from MACH will enable Skype users to charge their Skype credit to their mobile phone bill or pre-paid account - at the same price points as current payment methods.

Neil Ward, General Manager, Business Operations, Skype Division, Microsoft, said, “Delivering a strong user-experience has been at the heart of Skype’s adoption by millions of users globally, and we want to extend this philosophy to the payment options we provide. We expect ease of payment to attract new users, while existing users will become more profitable customers as they increase their spend with us.”

Morten Brøgger, Chief Executive Officer, MACH, said, “With MACH’s Direct Billing Gateway, Skype has a far more flexible, secure and reliable billing solution than, for example, premium SMS. Our Direct Operator Billing solution also provides a great boon for the operators we work with by allowing them to enter the e-commerce value chain and start to win market share from the major credit card brands and companies, which have traditionally dominated the space. Being able to play in this value chain will be critical to raising operator revenues in the future and it’s fantastic to have a high-profile merchant like Skype on board.(Bold text highlighted by Mobile Europe)

MACH’s Direct Billing Gateway provides an operator billing service for mobile applications, content and mobile internet services, allowing providers to charge subscribers for services direct to their mobile phone bill or pre-paid balance.

http://www.mobileeurope.co.uk/news/press-wire/9443-skype-offers-carrier-billing-through-mach

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

A Storm is Brewing – an LTE Signaling Storm

We have all heard about the “signaling storm” and how Diameter signaling traffic can potentially choke the network. The always-on, data-centric nature of devices in the 4G network results in an explosion in the volume of data in the user plane as well as an explosion in the volume of the messages in the control plane. The network architecture of the mobile core has evolved to be more complex with many more elements and interfaces added in each release and the signaling method has evolved from SS7 to Diameter. The user device has evolved with more intelligence and applications resulting in many new events requiring interaction with the mobile core and, of course, the number of devices is growing rapidly.

A Signaling Storm is brewing an LTE Signaling Storm

 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Cisco Rumored to be Eyeing Acme Packet


IP networking specialist Acme Packet Inc. saw its share price leap by more than 10 percent to $19.73 Wednesday as rumors of a takeover bid from Cisco Systems Inc. circulated on Wall Street.   That leap takes Acme Packet's share price back up to late June levels, but still way below the price it commanded for most of the first five months of 2012, when it ranged between $22.88 and $35.99.  The value of its stock has taken a hit during the past few months, though: The vendor, best known for its session border controllers (SBCs), is among the listed companies that have seen their market capitalizations dip in recent months due to slower carrier capex spending.
Acme Packet's current share price gives it a market capitalization of about $1.36 billion, much lower than the near $3 billion ($45 per share) the vendor's management team had allegedly targeted when, according to unconfirmed reports, it was fishing for bids earlier this year.   What would Cisco, or anyone else, want with Acme Packet? It's still the leader in the niche and, more importantly, the SBC market and has developed multiple unified communications capabilities. But it's also a player in two key developing areas for LTE mobile operators that would also be attractive to potential suitors: Its IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) systems enable 4G voice (or voice over LTE, VoLTE) services; and its Policy Exchange Controller manages the Diameter signaling traffic that runs over and between LTE networks. In the second quarter of this year, Acme Packet generated revenues of $67.6 million and reported a small net loss of $0.1 million. 
Rich Pierce, Managing Director

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Apple vs. Samsung may the best patent win!


Sue Me, Sue You Blues by Benny 

You serve me, and I’ll serve you. Swing your partners, all get screwedBring your lawyer, and I’ll bring mine, Get together, and we could have a bad timeGeorge Harrison: Sue Me, Sue You, Blues


In this article the patent war between Apple and Samsung is discussed, but for the real meat and potatoes of this rivalry "A panel discussion on the future holds for the LTE device market is taking place at the LTE Asia 2012 conference, taking place on the 18-19 September 2012 at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Click here to register your interest." Benny  http://lteconference.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/sue-me-sue-you-blues/