Openwave Systems, a global software specialist delivering context-aware mediation and messaging solutions, today announced the latest version of Openwave Passport, a key part of its Traffic Mediation solution. Passport 3.0 is designed to help operators more effectively manage network resources and tap into new revenue streams by offering subscribers personalized, context-aware internet services.
"Mobile spectrum is a finite resource; the tension between operators and consumer demand is definitely beginning to grow," said Graham Finnie, chief analyst, Heavy Reading. "The ‘all-you-can-eat' data plan approach is no longer sustainable and operators need usage-based pricing as a means to better manage their precious network resources while still providing value to the chain. Solutions that empower users to have a hand in their own data usage management while improving upon the overall mobile internet experience will help operators remain competitive."
"Operators continue to be challenged with the rising costs of supporting larger data volumes in the network; we believe that some form of service tiering will inevitably be required to manage these costs," said John Giere, senior vice president, products and marketing at Openwave. "Approaching this challenge creatively by rapidly adapting to consumer needs is the key to creating a positive user experience and introducing new revenue-generating business models. Openwave Passport allows operators to proactively offer subscribers a range of recurring or ‘pay-as-you-go' metered service plans while helping operators to manage their network costs."
In Europe, ‘bill shock' from data roaming is so common that the European Union (EU) recently enacted a rule that requires operators to notify subscribers when their bills reach a certain threshold and discontinue service unless the subscriber affirmatively agrees to incur additional charges. With Openwave Passport, a roaming user can be immediately informed of roaming data charge options and make a choice that best suits their needs. They might opt to purchase a "roaming day pass," pay per megabyte (MB), or pay per block of 100 MBs. This could work to ensure that the operator adheres to any relevant regulatory matters around control of data roaming charges while at the same time keeping the user informed and providing them with choices.
Passport 3.0 allows the operator to offer a range of different data access plans to their subscribers, from a monthly recurring plan with specified "fair usage" limits to a more flexible pay-as-you-go, time-based "pass" that might be more suitable to the casual data user. Passport monitors the user's activity (by time or traffic volume) and can proactively inform them when appropriate of events such as allocated quotas being reached, changes to their service plan, new data changes that may apply or new services that may be of interest. The subscriber may also manage their service plans directly with on-demand access to time and/or volume "meters" and options for extensions or upgrades.
Openwave Passport 3.0 is expected to be generally available in April 2010.