Genband is deploying a diameter signalling controller (DSC) for BT, amid growing demand for roaming and data use.
The vendor’s Quantix DSC product will expand BT’s global IP exchange with LTE signalling and data roaming exchange capabilities. The controller will provide BT with a diameter edge agent function, which helps LTE network equipment from various vendors to work together.
The software is delivered on a common hardware platform and provides context-aware intelligent routing, scalable handling of SIP and diameter traffic and secure connectivity to any IMS/LTE network. The controller also comprises a diameter routing agent, diameter gateway interworking function and diameter load balancer.
Steve Sherry, Head of (G)IPX Signalling, Messaging and Numbering for BT Wholesale, said: “The DSC solves complex diameter signaling interworking, enabling network roaming across otherwise incompatible mobile networks. It also provides the security and routing scalability required to handle the explosion of mobile data traffic exchange for enhanced services, such as RCS, photo sharing, video and OTT applications.”
The two companies previously worked together in 2012, when BT rolled out Genband’s enhanced Global IP Interconnect product, which delivered SIP-based interconnect capabilities to its UK and wholesale customers worldwide, and last year when it used the vendor’s products to expand GIPX services to wholesale customers in Asia and North and South America.
According to David Hiscock, Senior Vice President of Sales for EMEA at Genband, there are few interconnect roaming agreements in place between different mobile networks despite there being over 260 LTE networks in service worldwide.
He commented: “This deployment marks a significant milestone for international mobile network operators. In the past, mobile service providers had to negotiate bi-lateral roaming agreements with network operators, implement point-to-point Diameter interconnects, and handle interoperability challenges between LTE and legacy 2.5G/3G networks. The enhanced BT GIPX solution addresses these challenges for BT’s international wholesale network, providing a seamless experience for roaming subscribers across 170-plus countries and varying vendor equipment and host network scenarios.”
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