Altobridge’s first-generation technology bridges the digital divide for voice services. Commercial contracts and deployments in emerging markets pave the way for Local Connectivity to support broadband services, anywhere.
Barcelona, 16 February, 2009 – Altobridge, the leading provider of wireless solutions for cutting the cost of communications, announces today that commercial contracts and deployments of its first-generation ‘Local Connectivity’ solution are gathering pace with several Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) across Africa, Asia and the Far East. These MNOs have recognized the ability of local call switching in helping them meet the prohibitive cost challenge of satellite backhaul in remote communities.
Following a number of successful trials throughout these regions in which all deployments of the Local Connectivity solution in support of voice services went smoothly and no major technical issues were identified, MNOs are already experiencing huge savings. With satellite bandwidth costs of up to US$10,000 per month per 2mbit/s link, the MNOs now using Altobridge’s Local Connectivity solution are making savings of thousands of dollars per month, per site.
Subscribers are also experiencing a positive impact through the elimination of the delay, typically associated with local calls on sites with satellite backhaul. Handovers between cells, as local callers move from cell to cell within a town or remote location, are performed with the utmost precision, just as if calls have been switched by the central switching equipment.
One of the most crucial aspects of Local Connectivity deployment for these operators has been their ability to deliver improved services profitably, without making changes to network structure or charging systems.
R&D for Altobridge’s next-generation product line is well under way. Learning from successful deployments of first-generation technology, Altobridge will soon be releasing products to address efficient handling of data within the Radio Access Network. These products will allow MNOs to cost-effectively provide broadband data to mobile users at remote sites and to significantly reduce backhaul bandwidth requirements for data in urban areas.
Altobridge CEO, Mike Fitzgerald, said, “A number of MNOs throughout Africa, Asia and the Far East have chosen to benefit from the use of our Local Connectivity technology in deploying services to both small remote communities and more populated user groups. In these and other scenarios our solution offers a chance to keep local calls local and thus significantly cut the cost of providing services, anywhere. The next challenge is to address the growing demand for mobile data and Altobridge will deliver solutions to this in the very near future.”
Janne Hazell, Altobridge VP of Wireless Solutions, explained, “With an efficient Abis Interface, Altobridge’s Local Connectivity solution revolutionizes the business case for satellite backhaul. By deploying this Local Connectivity solution, operators in all markets with remote populations, will not only enjoy lower operating expenses on existing sites, but will also be able to provide cellular services to remote communities not previously served due to a lack of financial incentives. With an industry increasingly focused on operating expenses, Altobridge is confident that all MNOs the world over will introduce our Local Connectivity capability for voice and, eventually, broadband data throughout their networks, and not just for those sites backhauled by satellite.”