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.
Australian telecom operator Telstra deployed Matrixx Software’s Convergent Charging business support services platform, which is designed to provide real-time mobile data usage alerts to Telstra’s mobile customer base.
Matrixx said its BSS offering includes rating, balance management and charging capabilities designed to work across “all access networks, services, devices and payment methods.” The service will allow Telstra to send out text message alerts as customers reach certain thresholds on their allotted data buckets.
Telstra noted that the platform will help the operator avoid bill shock issues with its customer base.
“Bill shock can be a real frustration for our customers,” explained Scott McGibbony, director of mass market mobility at Telstra. “Mobile data usage alerts dispatched by mobile operators in Australia are typically delayed by up to 48 hours, meaning mobile users can receive an alert after they have exceeded their allowance.”
In other telecom software news:
• A new report from Research and Markets predicts the telecom service assurance software market is set to experience a 7% compound annual growth rate over the next five years, topping out at $2.72 billion in sales by 2019. The firm added that it expects the overall telecom service assurance market size to grow at a 7.6% CAGR over the same time frame from $3.18 billion to $4.59 billion.
North America and Europe were cited as markets where telecom service assurance has seen the greatest adoption, with Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America seen as markets with the greatest growth opportunities going forward.
• Alcatel-Lucent announced it has deployed its virtualized radio network controller in Etisalat Group’s access networks in the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka. Alcatel-Lucent claims the deployments are the first of their kind in those countries.
The move is expected to allow Etisalat to operate its networks with greater flexibility and efficiency in its radio access network and, in turn, lower operational costs. The expected efficiency gains were not mentioned.
• Software-defined network platform provider Pluribus Networks said it raised $50 million in a Series D funding round, increasing its total funding to date to $95 million.
The latest round was led by Singapore-based investment firm Temasek Holdings, with past investors New Enterprise Associates, Menlo Ventures, Mohr Davidow and AME Cloud Ventures also contributing new funds. Beyond the new VC funding, Pluribus said it added Ericsson and Newtech as new global strategic investors.
Pluribus said it plans to use the proceeds to expand sales, marketing, business development and engineering operations.
• NetCracker Technology reported that cable telecommunications provider Bright House Networks completed the initial phase of a BSS and customer experience program, which included billing system consolidation and replacement, new CRM and e-commerce implementations, and a managed services relationship.
NetCracker explained that as part of the initial program, it worked with Bright House to consolidate legacy, third-party billing systems across six markets into a single NetCracker Revenue Management solution. Bright House also launched NetCracker’s residential CRM platform. Future program plans call for Bright House to implement NetCracker’s CRM for business solution and overall e-commerce suite.
Make sure to check out the latest in telecom-related software news at RCR Wireless News’ dedicated software page. If you have telecom software news to share, please send it along to: dmeyer@rcrwireless.com.
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