Airwide and Colibria Combine SMS, MMS and Mobile IM for Integrated Subscriber Service
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Interoperable, best-of-breed solutions are key elements of next-generation networks
BURLINGTON, Mass. and LONDON, March 19 /- Airwide Solutions, the leading provider of next-generation mobile messaging infrastructure, has teamed with mobile instant messaging (MIM) leader, Colibria, to provide a messaging solution that seamlessly integrates SMS, MMS and mobile IM. The best-of-breed solution delivers on the promise of next-generation networks by helping operators quickly and cost-effectively deploy new revenue-enhancing services.
The interoperable technologies offer mobile operators a flexible way to provide subscribers with enhanced messaging services that work across 2.5 and 3G networks, as well as IMS-enabled networks. The integrated set of technologies is designed to provide subscribers with a richer messaging experience regardless of the network or messaging technology, while offering operators significant savings in operating expenses and integration efforts.
Growing Demand for Interoperable Solutions
While the $60 billion global SMS market is still a major revenue earner, operators also want to offer new services such as MIM to drive additional future revenue growth. MIM solutions like this offer subscribers enhanced SMS services with better interactivity, functionality and features. The growing demand for social networking and multimedia content on mobile networks is also driving operators to a range of messaging options based on subscriber preferences, device type, messaging recipient, message type, network and service.
Next-generation networks break down silos of messaging and accelerate operators' ability to implement best-of-breed, multi-use products. With Airwide's Fusion architecture, operators can separate application, delivery, storage and policy management network elements for a higher degree of flexibility and control of independently scalable network components.
"SMS services continue to drive substantial revenues for mobile operators," said Kevin Wiant, vice president of business development at Airwide Solutions. "Operators are looking to build on this foundation by integrating other messaging options that appeal to the diversity of subscriber preferences and handsets. With Colibria, we can provide operators an easy way to implement mobile IM services that can communicate with their SMS community. This service acceleration is possible due to the next-generation messaging approach being taken by Airwide and Colibria."
Device and Network Independence
Using Airwide and Colibria technologies, operators can deploy a messaging environment in which subscribers are confident their messages will be delivered regardless of their handset or network. In particular, new mobile IM subscribers will be able to communicate with the large existing base of SMS subscribers and growing numbers of MMS users. This messaging interaction can also be extended to SIP clients on mobile and fixed phones.
"Addressing subscribers' needs must be at the core of every mobile service. For MIM to be successful, existing SMS and MMS users must be able to communicate with MIM users and vice versa," said Matt Hooper, executive vice president of marketing at Colibria. "This means that operators and technology providers are critical in building compelling, mobile IM and converged messaging services and ensuring their interoperability. Our partnership with Airwide helps operators easily overcome the challenges of implementing a next- generation messaging solution that embraces existing messaging services and supports the important evolution to MIM."
The integrated Airwide/Colibria system will be available in Q3 of 2007.
About Airwide Solutions
Airwide Solutions is the leader in next-generation mobile messaging infrastructure and applications, having been chosen for its high-performance, field-proven software by more than 80 wireless operators in 48 countries. Airwide Solutions has a rich tradition of innovation: It introduced the first SMSC and sent the first commercial SMS (short message service) in 1992; introduced the first SMS router in 1998; and deployed the first A2P (application-to-person) MMS push gateway in 2003. Airwide continues this tradition of innovation with its industry-leading IMS and OMA compliant routers, gateways and applications. Airwide's open Fusion architecture provides mobile operators with a practical, non-disruptive path to Mobile Messaging 2.0 networks, reducing operating and capital costs and enabling the rapid deployment of revenue-generating services. Airwide's mobile security products have been chosen by more than 46 operators globally. Airwide Solutions has regional offices in Australia, Canada, England, India, Singapore and the United States. For more information on Airwide Solutions, please visit www.airwidesolutions.com.
About Colibria
Colibria was founded in 2000 and is already a leading international player in the field of new generation Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) solutions. Based in Norway, Colibria also has locations in the UK, Belgium, Spain, Singapore and the Philippines. Colibria has a global customer base of mobile operators in Europe, Asia and Latin America, as well as working with leading systems integrators. Strategic partners include Alcatel-Lucent Technologies, Nokia, and Motorola.
Colibria's IM platform provides an end-to-end solution from advanced server technology through to innovative handset clients. It delivers the infrastructure for launching instant messaging and associated multimedia services as well as advanced IMS based messaging and presence services. Colibria is focused on ensuring interoperability between devices, platforms and operators. Its IMPS and SIP/IMS test server facilities are now the de facto standard for product and service trials, with users in over 30 countries around the world.
Colibria is an active participant in the international standards arena, contributing extensively to the OMA IMPS forum as a member of the Open Mobile Alliance, as well as the GSMA. It is also a founding member of the COMET alliance, a global consortium committed to the delivery of end-to-end converged messaging solutions.
Colibria's investors are Northzone Ventures (www.northzone.com), Verdane Capital (www.verdanecapital.com) and Ferd Venture (www.ferdventure.no).
CONTACT:
Ed Marshall of Beaupre & Co. Public Relations,
+1-603-559-5816,
emarshall@beaupre.com,
or
Catriona Biggart of Skywrite Communications,
+44
Source: Airwide Solutions
