[Guest Post]: Optimizing cell architecture for better enterprise service delivery

By Shaun McFall*, Senior VP and Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Aviat Networks 

From its early analog origins in the 80s, some of the earliest adopters of mobile telephony were business users. Enterprises were quick to identify the opportunity that “portable telephones” offered. The shackles that rotary dials and fixed landlines placed on business were no more. The enterprise could now conduct business and make deals anytime anywhere. That’s why one of the most iconic images of the 80s remains Wall Street’s Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) with a Motorola DynaTAC-brick-phone.

Over the years, as technology evolved and mobile phones became cheaper, mobile users diversified. A recent report from the International Telecommunications Union estimated that there could be more than six billion mobile phones globally. However, as subscriber figures have grown, the revenues for mobile operators have flattened and in some cases decreased. 

 

One reason for this has been the growing popularity among consumers for Over The Top (OTT) services such as WhatsApp and Skype. OTT services allow subscribers to circumvent the mobile operator and use alternative messaging, voice and video calling services. OTT is eroding voice and text revenues – so much so that Ovum estimates that WhatsApp has cost mobile operators around $35bn in lost text messaging revenues. 

 

While consumers have embraced OTT services and have been willing to put up with its unreliable connectivity, patchy sound quality and video delays - the majority of enterprises have shied away from using OTT communications services for their day-to-day business needs. That’s because businesses need robust, effective and reliable communications. Therefore, the enterprise market remains the most promising and lucrative for mobile network operators. In fact, US and Western European markets alone could be worth more than $100bn. And herein lies the challenge facing mobile network operators. 

 

While the enterprise market is the most profitable segment, it is the most elusive for mobile network operators. Most operators are acutely aware of the need to win enterprises over, but how to address it without resorting to discounting is not always clear. 

 

Mobile operators are inherently well positioned to deliver enterprise services. A multi-service IP network combined with high-capacity wireless connectivity solutions in 3G/4G or microwave, and mobility services which can be bundled with other capabilities, puts MNOs in a unique position. By looking beyond margin-eroding discounts and looking at how they could instead provide additional value, the enterprise market could be far easier to win over. But how can a mobile operator deliver these fixed communications services to enterprises most effectively?

 

This is where a new class of communications product comes to the fore: the microwave router. Situated at the cell site, the microwave router incorporates microwave connectivity and a built-in IP/MPLS router, thereby delivering a complete enterprise access and VPN solution straight from the existing mobile backhaul infrastructure – all in a single device. Not only does the microwave router deal with the growing problem of network densification by combining the functionality of up to five separate devices, it also opens up the enterprise opportunity to mobile operators. This is because, with its access to Layer 3 at the edge of the network, new access services like VPNs become easy to launch and maintain. By putting more intelligence into the cell site, operators can deliver a whole range of enterprise-focused services. That means more access services as well as better support of high-bandwidth enterprise applications.

 

A recent study from analyst firm Heavy Reading surveyed a number of international mobile network operators to gauge their appetite for microwave routers. It found that 76% of operators they surveyed declared that they are ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to deploy a microwave router within three years. That is that a remarkably positive consensus for such a recent innovation. Mobile operators are aware that enterprises offer the most lucrative opportunity for short and long-term revenue streams, but have consistently found it challenging. And now, a small, smart microwave router could be a big part of the answer.

_________

*As senior vice president and chief marketing and strategy officer, Mr. McFall provides overall direction for programs to position the company in its focus markets. Mr. McFall has been with the company since the formation of its UK subsidiary in 1989. His initial assignment was in new business development, first in the UK and later the European market. In 1994 he relocated to the company's headquarters in San Jose, California, assuming responsibility for worldwide product marketing. He has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the wireless telecommunications industry, holding prior positions with two UK based companies: Ferranti International Signal plc. and GEC Telecommunications Ltd. Mr. McFall holds a bachelor of science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK.

[Singapore]: Auto Login to Free Wi-Fi (also for Visitors!)

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), announced that "Consumers will soon enjoy easier access to all Wireless@SG hotspots, when a new automatic login feature kicks in from April 1. 

Dubbed EAP-SIM (RFC), this new SIM card-based login feature offers users an "always on" experience by allowing them to automatically connect to any Wireless@SG hotspot using a supported device with a local SIM card. This means new and existing users of Wireless@SG no longer need to sign up for the service or enter any credentials to access the Internet at any Wireless@SG hotspot.

Wireless@SG users can easily configure their supported mobile devices to make use of this new login feature by following the connection guide available from the IDA website at www.ida.gov.sg/Individuals-and-Community/Infocomm-You/Wireless-SG.

Source: Cisco (here)

Visitors in Singapore will benefit from the improvements, too. From June 2014, visitors can register for a free account at any Wireless@SG hotspot and receive their login details through SMS messages sent to their foreign mobile numbers. Alternatively, visitors can buy a local prepaid SIM card from M1 (here) and StarHub (here) to log on to Wireless@SG via the new SIM-based login feature .. By 2015, the IDA will double the total number of hotspots to 10,000. This will be further doubled to 20,000 by 2016".

See "Wireless@SG to Offer Seamless Wi-Fi Connectivity, More Hotspots" - here.

What are the Top5 Applications for Open Source SDN?

 
The OpenDaylight Project announced that "The first of its kind, the SDN, NFV and Open Source Report provides a comprehensive view of drivers, barriers, timelines and targets for Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), and the role that open systems and open source play in its advancement and adoption. The report surveyed 600 IT decision makers and technologists in medium to large organizations within enterprise (300) and service provider (300) organizations in North America"

According to the report, "SDN and NFV deployment timelines are extremely aggressive. While these timelines will certainly move out as real-world pressures (financial, technical, and organizational) force delays, these results indicate the high level of hope for SDN and NFV solutions"

As can be seen from the chart below, 3 of the top 5 applications for open source SDN are well known to the readers of this blog! 

 See "SDN, NFV, and Open Source: The operator's view" - here. 

Comments to the New FCC Net Neutrality

The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) published a document (here) compiling the comments made by a number of organization, operators, content providers and on FCC's new Open Internet docket (see "New Docket Established to Address Open Internet Remand" - here).

Here is what some of the 29 comments:

• ADTRAN - In light of the lack of a demonstrated widespread problem and the observed adverse impact on investment, ADTRAN urges the Commission not simply to seek to re-impose (or even expand) the vacated Open Internet rules. If the Commission nonetheless believes that some protection is necessary, it should seek comment on narrowly-tailored, technology-neutral rules that would only prohibit anti-competitive discrimination or blocking. The Commission is ill equipped to decide what an appropriate business model should be for Internet services. Moreover, Internet Service Providers can ill afford to wait the multiple years it has taken the Commission in the past to adjudicate, on a “common law” basis, the reasonableness of new service offerings.
   
• AT&T - Commission must allow ISPs the flexibility to engage in individualized negotiations with edge providers, subject to the proviso that an ISP not engage in commercially unreasonable conduct .. Importantly, allowing ISPs to differentiate among edge providers in commercially reasonable ways would not prevent the Commission from addressing conduct that truly threatens an open Internet, should such conduct occur

• Netflix - Netflix believes strong net neutrality is critical, but in the near term we will in cases pay the toll to the powerful ISPs to protect our consumer experience. When we do so, we don’t pay for priority access against competitors, just for interconnection. A few weeks ago, we agreed to pay Comcast and our members are now getting a good experience again. Comcast has been an industry leader in supporting weak net neutrality, and we hope they’ll support strong net neutrality as well
   
• Verizon - Rather than pursuing an unnecessary and distracting prescriptive regulatory path that will discourage the innovation and investment that is prevalent in all parts of the Internet ecosystem, the Commission should wait to exercise its authority over broadband services as needed on a case-by-case basis to address particular practices that demonstrably harm consumers and competition. In the meantime, the Commission should focus on what it can do to further encourage broadband deployment and development of new services, such as facilitating the transition to IP-based networks and bringing more spectrum to market. Such actions will do far more to benefit consumers than another prolonged struggle over net neutrality rules.

• Vonage - As further discussed below, the Commission, in focusing on rules under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996,1 should consider special rules for broadband access providers that are affiliated with upstream competitors. Rules that prohibit such providers from favoring their own, affiliated content are sufficiently different from a Title II blanket prohibition on discrimination to pass muster under Verizon v. FCC and Section 706. The Commission may also consider a baseline throughput access requirement for access providers. For wireline access, that floor may be higher than the threshold throughput that qualifies an access service as broadband today.

Monday's Guest Post: Putting More Intelligence into the Cell Site for Enterprise-focused Services

 

A new guest post will be published on Monday - "Optimizing cell architecture for better enterprise service delivery" by my 32nd guest, Shaun McFall.

"When mobile telephony first emerged, business users were among the first to adopt the new technology. In spite of that, today, the enterprise market still represents one of the most untapped markets for mobile operators. As well as the most lucrative. Most operators are acutely aware of the situation, but unsure of how to address it. A big part of the answer is in found in a re-think of the cell architecture. 

By putting more intelligence into the cell site, operators can deliver a whole range of enterprise-focused services. That means more access services as well as better support of high-bandwidth enterprise applications".

Stay tuned!

DSC Deployments [300]: BT Selected GENBAND

GENBAND announced that BT has "selected the GENBAND QUANTiX™ Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC) to expand its existing Global IP Exchange (GIPX) solution with LTE signaling and data roaming exchange capabilities for its mobile network operator (MNO) customers. The GENBAND QUANTiX DSC enables rich interworking between LTE networks to ensure that roaming subscribers can easily connect when on the road with service transparency and resiliency.

The software, delivered on a common hardware platform, provides context-aware intelligent routing, scalable handling of SIP and Diameter traffic, and secure, seamless connectivity to any IMS/LTE network resulting in a simple, cost-effective deployment of rich LTE voice and data services".

My Diameter Router product list was updated with the GENBAND product.

See "BT Selects GENBAND Diameter Signaling Solution to Enable Cost-Effective Roaming Across Global Network of Mobile Operators" - here.

Telefonica to Offer Akamai's CDN Services

Akamai Technologies and Telefonica Global Solutions, the global service provider part of Telefonica, announced a "strategic global alliance to deliver Akamai´s suite of content delivery network (CDN) solutions to Telefonica enterprise customers. 

To further enhance its CDN business, Telefonica Global Solutions is combining Akamai´s industry-leading content delivery platform with its own global IP network to deliver a suite of global CDN and telecom solutions to enterprises. The strategic alliance will initially focus efforts in Spain and Latin America with plans to expand globally. 

Telefonica International network

..The alliance with Telefonica provides greater distribution of Akamai servers within Telefonica’s IP network and provides additional capacity within Spain and emerging markets in Latin America. The result is greater network efficiency, better service quality for end users, and a more secure system. 

"Telefonica customers are expected to benefit from efficient content routing and high-quality delivery of digital content, video and Web applications, and ultimately a superior end-user experience".

See "Akamai and Telefónica enter into global content delivery alliance" - here.

$5M MSO Deal for PeerApp (Transparent Cache)

PeerApp announced it has "closed a deal worth approximately five million dollars for caching infrastructure with an operating unit of a Tier One cable operator.

Before the implementation of operator caching, the cable operator's subscribers were unhappy with the quality of their broadband service, and had complaints despite the operator’s investment in robust infrastructure. This was due to congestion at internet traffic exchange points that are not managed by the operator, but through which traffic destined for end-users needed to pass. By deploying Ultraband, the operator was able to bring the most popular and frequently accessed content onto its network and manage the quality of its delivery.

See "PeerApp Inks Multi-Million Dollar Operator Caching Infrastructure Deal With Cable Operator" - here.

Verizon: No Internet for you!

DDoS attacks are usually launched against businesses, and many ISPs have some level of detecting and mitigating attacks. It is rare to see a DDoS attack against consumers, and as we can see in the following story, even Verizon has rough times detecting the cause for the QoS degradation felt by the victim's neighbors, and chose a simple solution - cut the service to the victim!

Stop the Cap! reports that "For nearly a month, Verizon FiOS customers in Westborough and Northborough, Mass. have experienced frequent slowdowns and outages of their Internet and telephone service that Verizon now admits have been traced to a denial-of-service attack on a single residential customer in Westborough .. Verizon’s first solution was to replace FiOS routers, which proved ineffective .. Last week, Verizon finally identified the specific customer targeted by the cyber-attack and terminated his FiOS account, which also put an end to the service-disrupting attacks.

"Some customers are wondering whether Verizon has an effective plan to deal with future cyber attacks"

See "Denial of Service Attack on One Mass. Customer Brings Verizon FiOS to Its Knees for Many" - here.

HP's PCC Uses VoltDB In-memory Database

VoltDB announced that "VoltDB 4.0, a high-speed operational database, has been integrated into HP Subscriber, Network and Application Policy (HP SNAP) and HP enhanced Internet Usage Manager (eIUM), next-generation Telco Mediation, Policy and Charging solutions now available from HP.

VoltDB’s in-memory database will power the HP SNAP and eIUM solutions and uniquely address the real-time requirements. VoltDB was purpose-built for high-velocity applications and is ideally suited for high volume transaction-based applications like policy and charging control that require scalability and performance characteristics that are beyond the reach of traditional databases. The newest HP Mediation, Policy and Charging solution embedded with VoltDB will be made generally available to current and new customers in Q2 of 2014".

See "VoltDB’s High-Speed Operational Database Powering HP Telco Mediation, Policy and Charging Solution" - here.

Allot Softly Launched a New High-end Product (Service Gateway Tera)

Allot Communications' product page was updated recently with new product (Service Gateway Tera). When selected, a blank page appears:

However, Allot's document - "Allot Products", provides some more information on the new 500 Gbps 14 slots ATCA platform.

All performance numbers have been doubled or tripled compared to the current Sigma Gateway:

Apple Streaming Service in Talks to Get "Special Treatment" from Comcast

While the Comcast-Netflix agreement is claimed to be Net Neutral ("no preferential network treatment" - here), it seems that the relations with Apple maybe going to challenge Net Neutrality.

Shalini Ramachandran, Daisuke Wakabayashi and Amol Sharma report to the Wall Street Journal that "Apple is in talks with Comcast about teaming up for a streaming-television service that would use an Apple set-top box and get special treatment on Comcast's cables to ensure it bypasses congestion on the Web, people familiar with the matter say.

..Apple would benefit from a cable-company partner because it wants the new TV service's traffic to be separated from public Internet traffic over the "last mile"—the portion of a cable operator's pipes that connect to customers' homes, the people familiar with the matter say. That stretch of the Internet tends to get clogged when too many users in a region try to access too much bandwidth at the same time".

See "Apple in Talks With Comcast About Streaming-TV Service" - here.

China Mobile: Shared Data Plans; OTT Replaces Voice& SMS

Some slides from the recent China Mobile 2013 Annual results (here).

Highlights:

• >500,000 LTE base stations by the end of 2014
• LTE Tariff build around data, with multi-device shared service plans
• Voice and SMS/MMS revenues decline (-3.4%, -6.5% respectively) in 2013 to OTT services (while minutes of use are up by 3%)
• 767.2M subscribers, 191.6M in 3G
• Mobile data traffic reached 526.8B MB

 

Cache Deployments [299]: On Telecom [Brazil] Optimizes Netflix with Qwilt

Qwilt announced that "On Telecom, a fast growing leading Brazilian 4G TD-LTE broadband provider, has selected the Qwilt Video Fabric Controller to help solve their over-the-top (OTT) video problem. On Telecom currently faces rapidly increasing network usage resulting from the popularity of its high-speed broadband offering that encourages customers to consume more streaming video from sites like Netflix, YouTube and many others. Qwilt’s Video Fabric Controller has been deployed by On Telecom to save network costs and improve quality of experience (QoE) for its subscribers".

See "Qwilt Selected by On Telecom to Solve OTT Video Challenges" - here.

[Infonetics]: Huawei Leads the $1B Policy Management Market

Telecom Lead published the main findings from Infonetics Research report on the policy management market (even before Infonetics' own press release), expanding the information provided towards the end of 2013 ("[Infonetics]: Over $1B Policy Management Market for 2013 (29% Growth); Bumped by LTE" - here):

"Huawei leads the policy management software market in 2013, ahead of Ericsson ..Infonetics Research noted that the global policy management software market reached just over $1 billion in 2013 and is on target to become a $2.5 billion market by 2018, with mobile deployments driving much of the momentum. VoLTE continues to be a major driver behind policy management growth as operators seek to ensure quality of service (QoS) for voice traffic.

There is increased interest in policy management among fixed line operators looking to implement more innovative pricing and service models, and the recent U.S. court decision on net neutrality is likely to further this trend".

See "Huawei leads policy management software market in 2013, ahead of Ericsson, says Infonetics" - here.

NI Deployments [298]: Belgacom Uses JDSU/Arieso to Optimize Mobile Service

JDSU (see "JDSU Acquires Arieso for $85M to Increase Visibility to the RAN" - here) announced that Belgacom has chosen to implement the JDSU ariesoGEO platform across its Proximus mobile networks in Belgium. Belgacom will use ariesoGEO to plan and optimize its 2G, 3G and LTE networks, to ensure an optimum VIP experience for its mobile users and to enhance management reporting and network visibility".

See "Belgacom to Implement JDSU ariesoGEO™ Platform for Increased Network Visibility" - here.

NSN Base Stations to Support ChinaCache CDN; Is Saguna Involved?

Nokia Solutions and Networks announced it has signed a "Memorandum of Understanding  with ChinaCache to incorporate content delivery network (CDN) technologies and innovations into NSN’s Liquid Applications solution. This enables content to be delivered directly from the LTE base station, which translates into faster data throughput and a whole new level of personalization for superior customer experience".

A year ago I mentioned that NSN is rumored to use Saguna's caching and optimization technology for the very same purpose - caching content at NSN's base stations (see "Rumors: NSN's Liquid Applications Uses Saguna's Technology" - here). The rumors also had it that ".. the integrated solution is already in trials by Vodafone and T-Mobile USA", and NSN said then that it collaborates with SK Telecom on its Liquid Applications (here).

See also "Saguna's Optimization and Monetization Technology to be Deployed in 2014" - here.

Saguna refused to comment then, as well as now regarding the new CDN application with ChinaCache.  "ChinaCache is a Chinese CDN provider, very much like Akamai but local to China" was the only comment I got. Hypothetically, Saguna's software infrastructure may be used here to support ChinaCache's CDN service. Or not. See the chart below.

See "NSN, ChinaCache to strengthen capabilities in mobile content delivery" - here.

Sandvine CEO Bullish on IBM Relations; SDN and NFV will Take Time

Sandvine published its 2013 annual report. In the Letter to the Shareholder, Dave Caputo [pictured], Sandvine CEO, says: "In late 2012, we partnered with IBM [here and here] as a new reseller of our solutions; I am pleased that Sandvine’s products are now fully productized within the IBM partner ecosystem. This joint relationship is encouraging and we expect to announce further wins in 2014".

See IBM's document "Dynamic Policy Management for Mobile and Fixed Networks" - here.

"During 2013, we continued to demonstrate our readiness and commitment towards Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), by being the first vendor to demonstrate a completely virtualized network policy control solution. 

We have set up initial solution partnerships with Juniper Networks for SDN [see "Juniper's View on Sandvine SDN/NFV Integration" - here] and Dell for NFV [see "Sandvine: 'leading edge CSPs around the world are currently working with Sandvine on virtualization pilot projects'" - here], and have announced some initial customer successes. SDN and NFV represent architectural shifts for our customers, so we do not expect material revenue from solutions delivered in this manner for a few years, but it is important to establish our leadership now".

[Analysys Mason] CSPs Spent 6.3% of Revenues on IT (39% of Capex)

A new report by Dean Ramsay, Larry Goldman [pictured] and Justin van der Lande, Analysys Mason finds that "USD127 billion was spent worldwide on telecoms IT in 2012. This spending represented an average of 6.4% of overall telecoms revenue of more than USD2 trillion .. IT spending accounted for only 10% of opex and 39% of capex worldwide in 2012".

"Spending on OSS/BSS accounted for 50% of IT spending worldwide – USD63 billion in 2012, up by 3% year-on-year. Just over one third of IT spending in 2012 (USD48 billion) was spent by the CTO or network/product group, on SDPs and apps, and on network management systems (NMSs)".

See "IT spending by communications service providers worldwide 2012" - here.

[GigaOM] Content, Service Providers and Caching Vendors Cooperate

Interesting report by Stacey Higginbotham [pictured], GigaOM, following "Content companies including Viacom and HBO have met with folks from Comcast, Qwilt [see "Qwilt Adds Live Streaming Caching" - here] and others to discuss transparent caching as a way to solve the problem of online video".

"One solution to this challenge [delivery of streamin video] is transparent caching, where operators buy software that allows them to manage and cache content inside their networks without the operator having to intervene in determining the cached content. A group of content providers, network gear providers and ISPs are evaluating transparent caching as part of an unannounced standards group seeking to improve online video delivery overall".

"Big content companies don’t want to pay a middle man to deliver their content, when they are delivering so much of it. That’s one reason for the Netflix and Comcast showdown [see "Comcast and Netflix - BFF ("no preferential network treatment") - here]. But vendors from Cisco [see "Cisco Partners with PeerApp" - here] to startups like PeerApp [see "[F&S]: 'PeerApp is the clear current market leader in the transparent caching industry'"- here] and Qwilt are experimenting with an alternative called transparent caching. Unlike traditional caches where the content lives outside the operator network and is managed by a more manual process of purging and refreshing caches at different intervals, transparent caching is deployed inside the ISP’s network and uses software to understand what content needs to be cached without human intervention".

Read more - "Will transparent caching reshape the future of video on the internet?" - here.

[Analysys Mason]: Is there Correlation Between Fixed Internet and Mobile Data Usage?

   

A new report by Rupert Wood [pictured], Principle Analyst, Analysys Mason, finds that "About 96% of all IP data worldwide is associated with fixed access networks .. 

There is little immediately obvious correlation between fixed Internet and mobile data usage among these countries. We have added countries for which we have clear data in mobile usage (shown with pink markers below), but have only some operator-level data for fixed. 

Again, there are more exceptions to explain away than there are clear patterns. In only one of these countries, Japan, does cellular traffic exceed 10% of total data traffic. In three (France, Germany and Romania) mobile is less than 2.5% of the total".

"The worldwide median data usage worldwide was about 14GB per month at 2013, and the median connection had no on-net usage. The median as a proportion of the mean will shrink over the period of the forecast in most economies. Taking Western Europe as an example, it will decline from 37% of the mean in 2013 to 29% of the mean by 2019. The reasons for this are bound up with the sudden changes to subscriber usage that the introduction of IPTV set top boxes for catch-up and VoD".

See "Fixed network data traffic worldwide: forecasts and analysis 2014–2019" - here.

SoftBank Vision for the US: Wireless as Broadband Alternative

Several slides from Softbank's "The Promise of Mobile Internet in Driving American Innovation, the Economy and Education" (here):

Procera Exposes BT Revenues for 2013

Last year Procera Networks reported on a "mega-carrier" deal (see "CEO: "Procera is the only company that delivers Internet intelligence"; Who is the $20M Mega-Carrier?" - here). Procera's CEO said then that "In Q3, we expect to begin to recognize revenue from a large deal with a mega-carrier .. we've characterized the size of this kind of opportunity in the $20-plus million over a 3-year period .. hardware and software only". The quarterly report for Q3 (here) mentions an anonymous 33% customer "revenue from two customers represented 33% and 11% of net revenue" or $7M.

The following day I reported that the mega-carrier is rumored to be BT (here).

It is official now. Procera's 10-K filling for 2013 (here) exposes BT as a major customer for 2013: "For the year ended December 31, 2013, revenue from three customers, Shaw Communications, Inc., British Telecommunications plc, and Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp. represented 13%, 12%, and 10% of net revenues, respectively".

With revenues of $74.6M for 2013, it brings the revenues from BT to approximately $9M - i.e. $2M for the 4th quarter.

RADCOM: $3.5M Service Assurance Deal in Brazil

RADCOM announced the ".. initial phase of a multi-year deal at the approximate amount of $3.5M with a major operator in Brazil .. This tier 1 Brazilian Cellular operator purchased RADCOM’s system to provide service assurance for their Mobile broadband 3G and LTE network. RADCOM offered this operator one solution for different technologies running on the recently announced, powerful cost-effective terabit MaveriQ probes. This operator is experiencing a rapid increase in traffic; consequently, following their own expansion to LTE they purchased RADCOM’s MaveriQ solution and applications to help them continue to provide high quality of service to their customers".

See "RADCOM Generates Strong Momentum with its MaveriQ Solution; Multi-million Dollar LTE Deal in Brazil" - here.

DPI Deployments [297]: du [UAE] Selected Procera

Procera Networks announced a "strategic partnership with Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du) .. du has purchased Procera Networks' award-winning PacketLogic™ 10000 series of products, which will enable the company to provide an enhanced customer experience and network optimisation.

in 2010-11, Openwave announced that du will be using its PCRF (here) and DPI (here) products. 

See "du Partners With Procera Networks to Deliver Enhanced Customer Experience and Network Optimisation" - here.

DPI Deployments [296]: Etisalat[UAE] Expands Sandvine Solution

Sandvine announced that it has "received a multi-million dollar follow-on order for current customer, Etisalat ..  Sandvine customer since 2006. This order represents Etisalat’s ongoing commitment to innovation and providing subscribers with a superior Internet experience.

With the order, Etisalat has expanded its deployment of Sandvine’s best-in-class technology and solutions, including Network Analytics, Fairshare Traffic Management, Network Protection and Usage Management. The order is part of a planned multi-year, multi-phased project and will cover Etisalat’s leading fixed and mobile networks, including FTTH and LTE technologies".

Etisalat uses Alcatel-Lucent's PCRF (here).

See "Sandvine Provides Etisalat With Innovative Solutions To Take Customer Experience To Next Level" - here.

Uninor [India] Shifts "from data to Internet"; Charges for Facebook and Whatsapp Use

Uninor, a subsidiary on Telenor announced that it has "decided to shift from volume based Internet offerings (MB and GB offerings) to service based Internet offerings (Facebook and Whatsapp). This will change the way in which Uninor offers Internet to its 33 million current and all future subscribers".

Morten Karlsen Sorby, nominated CEO of Uninor. said: “We are moving out of data and moving in to Internet. Internet is the way in which customers consume data and our approach will be to make that usage the cheapest among all operators”

"50% of India’s mobile Internet users are active on Facebook and Whatsapp. Uninor has launched the new Internet strategy with two flagship products with Facebook and Whatsapp. Termed Sabse Sasta (most affordable) Facebook and Sabse Sasta (most affordable) Whatsapp, the products will allow subscribers unlimited access to these services at one fixed charge for a period ranging from 1 hour to 1 month. With just a one-time charge, subscribers can use Facebook and Whatsapp for the duration of the period without worrying about MBs and GBs .. Over the next few months, these new offerings will be made available across each of Uninor’s operational circles.

See "Uninor changes its Internet strategy - moves from 'Rs. per MB' to Sabse Sasta Facebook and Sabse Sasta Whatsapp" - here.