Moto partners with Starent on LTE solution

Motorola Inc. is teaming up with a Massachusetts company that specializes in multimedia services to boost its LTE network offerings.
Starent Networks Corp. solutions will allow Motorola to offer an end-to-end network solution for its operator customers, the company announced today.
Starent Network technology is geared to provide CDMA 1X/DO-A and GSM/UMTS operators with a smooth transition to LTE, technology that has been selected by various major carriers for their 4G networks. Starent’s products also meet requirements defined in the Evolved Packet Core standards.
“By teaming with Starent, Motorola is working with industry experts in the mobile operators’ multimedia core networks,” Darren McQueen, Motorola VP of home and network mobility, said in a statement.
McQueen said using Starent’s solutions allows Motorola to enhance its LTE network solution by “adding a robust feature-rich multimedia core” to the company’s overall LTE offering. Motorola has been a market leader in the wireless infrastructure market in North America for years but is going through some rough times of late.
According to Starent, the company has positioned itself for operator migration to 4G LTE. The company claims its solutions already feature many elements required for 4G, including network intelligence, simplified network architecture, high bandwidth performance capabilities and carrier-class reliability.
“We are pleased to be working with Motorola, as they are such a prominent player in the wireless market,” Ashraf Dahod, Starent CEO said in a statement.
Phil Marshall, a senior research fellow for Yankee Group, said wireless providers are focused on deploying high-bandwidth networks that can deliver multimedia applications and are also hopeful to make a smooth transition to 4G.
“Solutions that allow the seamless migration of services from 3G to 4G are of critical value to operators and their consumer and enterprise customers,” he said.
A number of operators are planning to deploy LTE this year. The technology has been undergoing trials by major carriers and numerous operators.