Bridgewater Systems, the mobile personalization company, today announced Bridgewater's Radio Access Network (RAN) congestion solution. It extends the Bridgewater Policy Controller with a new RAN Congestion module that together combine real-time cell site congestion information with subscriber entitlements to deliver enhanced services.
Mobile operators are facing RAN congestion challenges as a result of increasing 3G penetration, widespread adoption of new smart devices, and increasing use of bandwidth intensive applications. In many urban centers, it is estimated that 80% of network traffic is managed by only 10% of cell sites. This has resulted in service degradation for mobile subscribers attached to congested cell sites.
Bridgewater's new RAN congestion solution addresses these challenges and includes the following components:
– The new RAN Congestion module for the Bridgewater Policy
Controller receives dynamic cell site information from congestion
probes, usage analyzers, and Deep Packet Inspection from leading
vendors.
– The market leading, 3GPP Release 9 compliant Bridgewater Policy
Controller uses a dynamic session database to identify subscribers
on the congested cell site, including their profile, usage, and
state information. It then applies real-time network, application,
and subscriber policies to adjust service levels. When congestion
subsides, the Policy Controller receives a congestion notification
and regular service levels are restored.
– The solution offers several benefits for mobile operators:
– Manage RAN congestion in real time on a per cell site, per
subscriber, and per application basis. Operators can adjust
subscriber service levels based on service entitlements and
dynamic cell site conditions.
– Increase customer loyalty by applying policies in real time that
ensure a consistent and positive experience. For example,
customers attached to a congested cell site can be prioritized
based on service plans, customer value, personal preferences, or
application type.
– Drive incremental revenues with tiered and usage based service
plans that guarantee service levels. Target subscriber segments
with real-time upgrades when the network is congested such as a
service plan upgrade, a bandwidth boost, or Wi-Fi access.
Stephen Chau, Chief Technology Officer, SmarTone-Vodafone said: "SmarTone-Vodafone's successful deployment with Bridgewater has allowed us to deliver an unbeatable customer experience including personalized service tiers, guaranteed service levels, and network policies that ensure fair usage and reduce network congestion."
David Sharpley, Senior Vice President, Bridgewater Systems added: "Bridgewater's new patent-pending RAN congestion solution addresses a major challenge faced by mobile operators worldwide. By combining real-time visibility of individual cell site congestion with dynamic policy control and subscriber data, Bridgewater is providing a compelling and innovative solution that can improve customer loyalty and reduce congestion."