Tekelec announced a new release of its Policy Server (PCRF) with the following capabilities:
New Rules Engine: Provides the ability to create and quickly introduce flexible offers using dynamic quotas, such as promotional quotas spanning weeks, days or hours within an existing plan month;
Voice over LTE (VoLTE): Tekelec’s Policy Server gives service providers flexibility to request different amounts of bandwidth depending on the type of device and service. By allocating bandwidth based on the devices requesting it, operators can zero-rate voice traffic over LTE networks, manage voice sessions on IMS networks and implement quality of service controls for VoLTE calls.
Enhanced support for Wi-Fi: The Policy Server recognizes when devices are on Wi-Fi networks, which allows operators to differentiate charging of services based on network access type.
Analytics: Business intelligence such as which applications are most commonly used on certain brand names or types of devices, or patters on machine-to-machine (M2M) device usage.
Prioritize communications for first responders during emergencies: The Policy Server supports the Enhanced Multimedia Priority Service (eMPS) standard in the 3GPP Release 10 specification. This prioritizes the quality of service for 911 calls and interactions to and from federal, state and local government officials.
“Service providers are entering an era of new opportunities to transform the delivery of mobile data services and partner with advertisers, businesses and Wi-Fi network providers,” said Houck Reed, vice president of product management and marketing at Tekelec. “Tekelec’s Policy Server provides the underlying technology to usher in new flexible offers and partnerships, and give service providers ThinkingNetworks™ that align network resources with subscriber needs and revenue drivers.”
- In March 2013, Oracle agreed to acquire Tekelec, which supplies network signaling, policy control, and subscriber data management solutions for telecom operators. Financial terms were not disclosed. Tekelec’s main solutions include its Diameter and SS7 Network Signaling platform, its Policy Control platform and its Subscriber Data Management system, which tracks dynamic subscriber data. The Diameter and SS7 Network Signalling offers integrated applications such as Local Number Portability, Equipment Identity Register, 3G to Voice over LTE Migration, load balancing, congestion control, and protocol mediation.
- In February 2013, Oracle agreed to acquire Acme Packet, a leading supplier of session border controllers, for $29.25 per share in cash, representing an enterprise value of $1.7 billion net of cash. Acme Packet supplies session delivery solutions to both carriers and enterprises. Oracle said it would make Acme Packet a core offering in its Oracle Communications portfolio to enable customers to more rapidly innovate while simplifying their IT and network infrastructures.