Femtocells as Accelerators of Next-Generation Networks
June 30, 2008
Silicon.com has a piece today on the ability of femtocell technology to speed the adoption of next-generation services, such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMax (the most serious competitor to LTE).
Femtocells are smaller versions of towers and antennas that deliver radio signals to and from cellular telephones, wireless PDAs, and data cards in laptops. These signals contain the data of your voice conversations, SMS messages, email, and web traffic. Whereas a typical cell site deployed by a cellular service provider can range in price from $50,000 to $250,000, femtocells cost a fraction of that amount, and can be installed in an enterprise or even inside a home. This technology had been out of reach for years as the price was prohibitive for almost all but the largest enterprises.
The article argues that because the costs have dropped so much, next-generation service providers can issue new customers an end-point device (such as a PDA or wireless card) as well as a femtocell device at the same time. This enables service providers to build coverage when and where they need it - driven only by customer adoption.
However, the story misses some of the point in its focus only on next-generation networks. Strata8, an OMV client, uses femtocell technology to build coverage of enterprise cellular networks on licensed spectrum. Not WiMax or LTE - but traditional cellular services. Because Strata8 provides coverage only where its customers are, the costs of building a network are substantially reduced. And this savings is passed on to its subscribers. And, because femtocell networks can be built on an all-IP platform, additional services that integrate “desktop voice” and “cellular voice” nearly seamlessly.
The rise in popularity of femtocells is an exciting development for our industry. But let’s not forget that the applications apply more more broadly than to next-generation transmission networks. Femtocells can just as easily build next generation network topologies utilizing existing, tried and true, transmission technologies.
OMV Joins BroadSoft QuickStart Affiliates Program
November 29, 2007
SEATTLE - November 29, 2007 - OMV, the Seattle-based creative and strategic marketing services agency for the tech and telecom industries, today announced it has joined the BroadSoft QuickStart Affiliates
program. The program is designed to assist Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers around the globe in the simplification and streamlining of their go-to-market strategies and service deployments.
The QuickStart Affiliates program gives BroadSoft customers access to screened partners who are familiar with the BroadWorks® VoIP applications platform and the telecom and IP communications industry. QuickStart Affiliates offer customized assistance to service providers in multiple disciplines, including channel development, technical services, marketing and training.
“The QuickStart Affiliates program is a natural fit for our strategy to help telecom service providers accelerate the adoption of next-generation VoIP services,” said Leigh Fatzinger, principal of On Message Ventures. “Enterprises and consumers have shown they are willing to adopt next-generation VoIP services, but they continue to be confused by the complexity and breadth of offerings in the market. Our job is to help service providers grow revenues by simplifying the VoIP offer and value proposition.”
To be selected as a QuickStart Affiliate, partners must be knowledgeable about BroadSoft products, services and the telecom industry, and have a successful track record of completing projects.
“Our service provider customers deserve every advantage available as they plan, deploy and launch their VoIP services on BroadWorks,” said Scott Wharton, vice president of Marketing for BroadSoft. “We are pleased to welcome On Message Ventures into the program, and look forward to its contributions to our service providers’ go-to-market strategies.”
About On Message Ventures
On Message Ventures is a creative and strategic marketing firm for the tech and telecom industries that helps service providers, equipment manufacturers and other firms grow revenue and build awareness through compelling, results-driven campaigns and programs, delivered across multiple platforms. For more information, visit www.onmessageventures.com.
About BroadSoft®
BroadSoft provides VoIP application software that enables the delivery of hosted telephony and multimedia services. Its award-winning flagship BroadWorks® technology empowers wireless, wireline and cable carriers to deliver next-generation voice and multimedia applications and advanced features that enable them to increase revenue, enhance competitive differentiation and elevate customer satisfaction. BroadSoft’s family of carrier-class software products delivers the scale, open architecture and reliability that the world’s leading telecommunications companies demand to serve mission-critical enterprise and residential broadband customers. BroadSoft provides VoIP applications to 7 of the top 10 and 13 of the top 25 largest carriers worldwide, as measured by recent annual revenue, including Korea Telecom, KPN, SingTel, Sprint, Telefonica de Espana, Telstra, T-Systems, and Verizon. For additional information, go to www.BroadSoft.com.
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