Trial Demonstrates Readiness for LTE Roaming
Melbourne FL, Reston VA and Orlando FL – April 11, 2013 – Transaction Network Services (TNS), a leading global provider of data communications and interoperability solutions, Diametriq, a leader provider of LTE signaling solutions, and ClearSky Technologies, a leading provider of mobile data services to regional wireless carriers, jointly announced today that they successfully completed interoperability testing for LTE roaming. The collaboration interconnects ClearSky’s hosted LTE Service Suite™ with TNS’s recently announced Data Services Hub IPX service while using Diametriq’s Diameter Edge Appliance™ to manage traffic at the edge of the IPX network and to simulate 3rd party roaming partners. The objective of the trial was is to simulate various elements in the visited network that would enable TNS to exercise roaming test scenarios with its operator clients, enabling smooth on-boarding of new operators. Trial results will be made available to the clients of ClearSky and TNS.
While LTE (Long Term Evolution) is now the worldwide standard for 4G networks, there is almost no roaming between network operators. This lack of interoperability between networks creates islands of service with limited coverage, frustrating consumers and hindering the widespread adoption of LTE. The dearth of LTE roaming is partially due to technical complexities. LTE standards require the use of Diameter signaling over IP to connect networks – a completely new approach not compatible with 2G/3G roaming networks. LTE roaming also requires an operator’s Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Mobility Management Entity (MME) and Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) to connect to the roaming partner’s MME, HSS and PCRF, creating an unmanageable number of individual connections as the number of roaming partners increase.
The 3GPP standards bodies have recognized these limitations, defining the role of centralized IPX networks to carry the Diameter signaling and Diameter edge agents to manage multiple connections while insulating LTE core network components from direct connections. Endorsed by the Competitive Carrier Association, TNS’s Data Services Hub performs all the necessary IPX functions in a package designed specifically to speed LTE roaming deployment among regional operators and provide connectivity to Tier 1 operators. Using the Diameter Edge Appliance™ as a platform, Diametriq offers a cost-effective edge agent to isolate carrier’s LTE network components and has also developed simulators for each of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network elements used in LTE roaming, including the HSS, MME and PCRF.
“Our customers have been asking us for a sensible path to LTE roaming.” said Surendra Saboo, CEO for TNS. “Achieving seamless LTE roaming will accelerate the adoption and satisfaction of next generation services, but requires extensive collaboration across the industry – between various technology vendors and service providers alike. We are pleased to cooperate with Diametriq and ClearSky to affect LTE roaming readiness and meet the needs of our customers.”
“Diametriq’s Diameter Edge Appliance includes both a Diameter Edge Agent as well as the Interworking Function,” said Anjan Ghosal, president and CEO of Diametriq. “This cost effective device offers all the functionality needed by network operators for LTE roaming.”
“Last year, ClearSky launched its hosted LTE Services Suite consisting of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), Radio Access Network (RAN), integrated billing, provisioning, installation and ongoing support, all designed to reduce cost, speed deployment and create a successful LTE business for regional operators,” said Dean Fresonke, ClearSky’s SVP of Business Development. “We are big proponents of LTE roaming for regional carriers and we appreciate working with TNS and Diametriq to enable us to be the first LTE network to be part of CCA’s roaming initiative with TNS.”
The three companies will be exhibiting at the CCA Global Expo in New Orleans, April 17 -19, Diametriq will be in Booth 303, TNS will be in booth 139-141 and ClearSky in booth 325-327.
About Diametriq:
Diametriq, offering LTE control signaling solutions to meet the needs of LTE network operators, was built on the assets of IntelliNet Technologies, a wireless solutions company founded in 1992. The company’s application enabled Diameter Routing Engine™ (DRE) addresses traffic management, interoperability and service migration issues. The DRE includes a Diameter Routing Agent (DRA), Diameter Edge Agent (DEA), a Subscription Locator Function (SLF) and a Diameter Interworking Function (IWF). For more information, visit www.diametriq.com.
About Transaction Network Services (TNS):
Founded in 1990, TNS’s global expertise extends to more than 60 countries across Europe, the Americas and the Asia Pacific regions. Through its broader payment solutions offering, TNS now connects over a million merchants and retailers to the world’s leading banks, acquirers and processors, enabling secure, efficient and cost-effective delivery and processing of payments. For more information visit www.tnsi.com.
About ClearSky Technologies, Inc.:
For more than a decade, ClearSky Technologies has been a leader in providing mobile data solutions for regional wireless carriers, enabling them to offer the same advanced technology as national carriers such as AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. ClearSky’s powerful array of products and services includes LTE, femtocell, traffic and policy management, Multi-Generation SMS, MMS and mobile Internet gateway, along with P-SMS and carrier-branded content portals. Headquartered in Orlando, ClearSky currently provides mobile data services to more than 80 wireless operators serving 8 million subscribers across the Americas. For more information, visit www.csky.com.
