Software: Openet virtualizes BSS platform; Genband joins Intel’s SDN, NFV program

Software is becoming an increasingly important part of telecommunication networks and deployments as both wired and wireless carriers look to add functionality to operations while increasing simplicity and reducing costs. RCR Wireless News is keeping an eye on recent developments through its weekly “Software” wrap up.
—Openet said it has virtualized its real-time charging platform, building on its previous move in virtualizing its policy and mediation systems, its API gateway technology and its Fusionworks platform. The company said the latest move means it has now virtualized its full business support systems offerings, providing more agility and flexibility to customers.
“Operators have to transform the way that they do business and this change is being driven by the need to innovate,” explained Joe Hogan, CTO of Openet. “BSS virtualization is a key enabler for innovation and will provide operators with the agility and flexibility to quickly capitalize on new revenue generating opportunities.”
A recent report from Maravedis-Rethink predicts nearly three-fourths of mobile operators will deploy some form of network functions virtualization by 2018, noting the move to NFV will be one of the most important ways carriers will “transform their cost base and their service delivery in the next few years.”
RCR Wireless News earlier this year released a report looking at the move toward virtualizing policy and charging systems, as well as hosted a webinar on the topic.
—Royal Philips and Accenture said they have developed proof-of-concept software designed to connect a wearable display to Emotiv Insight Brainware that could provide greater independence to people suffering with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and other neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases typically impair brain and spinal cord nerve cells, often leading to paralysis.
The companies explained that the software would link a wearable display and the Emotiv Insight Brainware with a tablet device, allowing patients to “issue brain commands to control Philips products,” including medical products, televisions and personal wireless lighting. The tablet could also allow control using eye and voice commands.
http://youtu.be/I3ZOPTy_kAo
—Genband announced it has joined Intel’s Network Builders program, which looks to accelerate the deployment of software-defined networking and NFV solutions. Members of the program have access to a reference architecture library of solutions set for “implementation in production environments.”
Genband’s current NFV solutions include its Virtual Network Functions portfolio that supports its Session Border Control and Session Routing applications.
–Comverse this week said it acquired Spain-based Solaiemes, which focuses on allowing telecom service providers to monetize IP-based digital services. Comverse said the Solaiemes portfolio will be combined with its Evolve Communications Suite to create an “end-to-end platform for service monetization of IP-based digital services.”
Comverse added that the combined products were already in trials with “several tier-one service providers.” Terms of the deal were not released.
—Gemalto also jumped on the merger and acquisition bandwagon, announcing plans to acquire U.S.-based data protection and software monetization platform provider SafeNet from Vector Capital for $890 million. Gemalto said it would fund the deal with $440 million coming from cash on hand and the remainder drawn from existing long-term credit facilities.
SafeNet has made it names as a digital information security provider, with locations in 27 countries and claims to protect more than 80% of the world’s intra-bank fund transfers. The company included more than 1,500 employees, and counts customers across more than 100 countries, including Banamex, Bank of America, Cisco, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Kaiser Permanente, Netflix and Starbucks. SafeNet posted $337 million in revenues and $35 million in profits for 2013, with forecasts of $370 million in revenues and $51 million in profits for 2014.
Gemalto said the SafeNet acquisition will allow it to provide “expertise and services available for securing a complete infrastructure: network, users, data, software, at the core and at the edge.” Following completion of the deal, which is expected by year end, SafeNet will join Gemalto’s Payment & Identity segment and its Platforms & Services activity.
“The opportunity to acquire SafeNet has come at exactly the right time, as we have just entered into our new multi-year development plan and there is a perfect fit between Gemalto’s ‘security at the edge’ and SafeNet’s ‘security at the core’ capabilities,” explained Gemalto CEO Olivier Piou. “This will enable us to further accelerate the deployment of strong security solutions in the Enterprise sector, and expand our technologies and growth opportunities in protecting online access. Overall, our global leadership in digital security will be reinforced.”
Make sure to check out the latest in telecom related software news at RCR Wireless News’ dedicated software page. Also, if you have telecom software news to share, please send it along to: dmeyer@rcrwireless.com.
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