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The solution will help bridge the digital divide between 2G/3G networks and those that no longer support older-generation voice traffic.
International communications platform company BICS has partnered with Mavenir, the network software provider building the future of networks with cloud-native solutions that run on any cloud, to launch a new VoLTE solution that helps operators prepare for the sunsetting of 2G/3G services around the world.
Operator sunsetting timelines vary greatly on a global level, and preserving roaming interoperability between the generations has created a roadblock for operators. The joint solution powered by Mavenir’s cloud-native IMS effectively bridges this widening roaming gap between older 2G/3G networks and newer 4G/5G technology.
“As mobile technology continues to evolve, safeguarding roaming between networks is crucial,” says Mikael Schachne, VP Telco Market at BICS. “As a global communications platform company, our mission is to connect communities and create opportunities. With this partnership, we are ensuring operators around the world continue to provide excellent customer experience for their roamers, while leveraging our extensive reach and expertise to monetize potential opportunities.”
Without a solution to ensure smooth communications between the different networks on a global scale, the potential disruption to roamers could be very serious. For example, a person coming from a 2G/3G operator who travels to a 4G/5G-only network will not be able to make voice calls in that location. Not only does this greatly impact the customer experience of that roamer abroad, but it could also have far more serious implications if that person needs to call an ambulance or fire service while in that same location.
This VoLTE solution will bring together BICS’ reach and expertise in international roaming and Mavenir’s network software to address this issue. For operators still providing 2G/3G services, their customers will benefit from a seamless roaming experience, even when visiting locations where this technology has been phased out. For operators further along in the sunsetting timeline, they will not miss the opportunity of welcoming those visitors onto their 4G/5G network to provide services and gain otherwise lost inbound roaming revenues. Ultimately, it’s a win-win for both sides in preparing for global 2G/3G sunsetting.
“When talking about the future of the telecoms industry, a lot of focus is put on next-generation innovations, like 5G or even 6G,” says Ashok Khuntia, President, Core Networks at Mavenir. “While these are of course important, we need to ensure we’re doing this in a way that doesn’t create blind spots that could cost operators revenue and potentially widen the digital divide. Mavenir’s Cloud-Native IMS helps evolve today’s mobile voice services, ensuring that operators around the world can continue to grow by delivering service parity, and facilitating voice continuity between the generations.”