Swiss GSM Carrier in&phone Buys Blueslice's SDM Platform

Blueslice Networks has sold a SIP-enabled ngHLR, HSS and AAA, bundled into one fully integrated solution, to Unify Mobile.

The SDM platform is to be used by in&phone, one of its mobile operations in Switzerland.

Montreal-based Blueslice's CSP 3000 includes the ngHLR and its Advanced Low Cost Roaming solutions - giving in&phone the ability to offer subscribers new roaming features.

It also means roaming charges can be significantly reduced or even eliminated.

Blueslice said its patented Multi-IMSI will allow end-users to have a single subscription in the ngHLR containing multiple identities (IMSIs) in several countries or area codes.

in&phone’s subscribers will be seen as "local" by the network and can roam across borders on multiple networks without paying roaming surcharges.

Carel Begeer, founder and chief development officer of Unify Mobile, said the deal provided Unify with the tools to have multiple access technologies in multiple territories under a single user profile.

"Cost and quality have been the main driving forces for our customers," said Begeer.

"They want to use their mobile phone without the fear of paying huge roaming fees."

Begeer, said in&phone, like many carriers, is faced with the challenges of modernizing aging networks while maintaining a high level of service at value prices.

in&phones' subscribers will be able to roam between GSM/UMTS and IP networks thanks to Blueslice's ngHLR-based Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solution.