MACH Unlocks the CDMA Prepaid Roaming Market With Accuris Networks

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Feb 03, 2010, 03:00 ET

LUXEMBOURG, February 3 /PRNewswire/ --

- A Breakthrough Solution in Mobile Communication

MACH, the leading provider of hub-based mobile communications exchange solutions http://www.mach.com in partnership with Accuris Networks, the leading provider of inter-standard and converged solutions, today announced the launch of a new service that enables prepaid CDMA customers to roam on GSM networks. MACH with Accuris Networks is the first provider to offer an inter-standard roaming service for prepaid mobile users, and is the first to offer a fully integrated prepaid and post-paid inter-standard roaming capability to CDMA operators.

Growth in mobile subscriber numbers today is driven mainly by prepaid mobile users, particularly in emerging markets and particularly among the lucrative younger generation users - the so-called "Digital Natives". CDMA operators are currently forced to forego potential revenue when these prepaid users travel out of region because it has not been possible for CDMA prepaid users to roam on a GSM network. Roaming customers, therefore, have been required to purchase a prepaid local SIM card or use WiFi hotspots in the destination market in order to make calls, send SMS messages and access the internet. This also has a significant negative impact on customer loyalty and retention rates as customers have been required to buy services from and transition between multiple providers.

The solution announced today adds further capabilities to MACH's already powerful Inter-Standard Roaming portfolio, and complements the existing solutions for Inter-Standard post-paid and mobile internet roaming. The turnkey prepaid solution, which can be implemented using existing connections, offers prepaid end-users all of the services that are available on their home network, even when they are travelling abroad. MACH unlocks the pre-paid CDMA roaming market by offering real-time authentication solutions for pre-paid billing systems. The service is offered under the MACH brand, and is delivered using the Accuris technology platform. Accuris Networks is a leading provider of Roaming Inter-Working and Convergence solutions for mobile devices across multiple network technologies.

"Our mobile operator customers will reap three immediate benefits from this solution," said Artur Michalczyk MACH COO. "First, they will immediately realise previously lost revenue streams by enabling users to roam on their existing prepaid SIM, commanding a greater share of revenues that would otherwise be spent on technologies like local prepaid GSM SIM cards or hotel and airport WiFi. Second, they will enhance the service they deliver to their customers, and increase customer loyalty, by providing a seamless service, wherever the user is roaming. And third, with end-to-end, one number inter-operability, operators can provide complete voice and messaging services without the time and investment required to build their own platform."

'Inter-standard roaming has been our focus for many years', said Gilbert Little, chairman at Accuris Networks.

'We have consistently led the field in terms of inter-working solutions and now for the first time our AccuROAM platform will enable over 200M prepaid CDMA subscribers to have the opportunity to roam onto GSM networks. This represents a significant breakthrough and presents a major opportunity to the global CDMA community. Accuris Networks continues to lead the world in inter-network technology. Our latest solutions will help bridge the gap between existing cellular and emerging IP based networks. This partnership with Mach is a natural fit and will help us deliver another world first' said Little.

MACH's prepaid Inter-Standard Roaming solutions are available from December 1, 2009.

Editors' Notes

MACH's unique Inter-Standing roaming solution enables subscribers to keep one device and freely roam to any GSM network includes:

    - CDMA to GSM: Seamless world coverage for voice with a single point of
      connectivity that provides a cost-effective extension of network
      coverage.

    - Data 1xEVDO to Data GPRS: Provides seamless worldwide access to data
      and applications that reside on your network.

    - Data Clearing: Secure file generation and roaming data
      exchange for timely settlement.

    - Financial Clearing and Settlement: Perform net settlement based on
      clearing roaming records and settlement of invoices.

    - Fraud Protection: Enables customers to track usage patterns across
      countries and networks.


    Further information, visit - http://www.mach.com/solutions/
    About MACH

MACH operates the world's leading hub-based Telco exchange uniting all types of CSP's enabling interconnectivity, interoperability and settlement between them. MACH HUB-XC(R) provides the platform for the efficient exchange of mobile traffic, of service validation, delivery and billing information, and of settlement transactions. MACH is the largest provider of data and financial clearing solutions for wireless roaming and operates the world's largest open connectivity roaming hub, Link2One. Headquartered in Luxembourg, MACH has offices in 12 countries and employs more than 1,000 people worldwide. MACH serves more than 650 customers, including Orange, Vodafone, Verizon and Microsoft, as well as enterprise messaging customers like KLM.

About Accuris

Accuris Networks is a leading provider of Roaming Inter-Working and Convergence solutions. Established in 1997, Accuris Networks is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with offices in the United States and Malaysia. Led by a team with unrivalled experience in service convergence and service continuity, our AccuROAM platform provides a competitive, cost effective and robust inter-working platform designed to enable seamless mobility across multiple network technologies.

    Enquiries
    MACH
    Helle Auken Lygum, Global Marketing Project Manager
    [email protected], +45-4590-2183

    Media contact
    Richard Botley, Chameleon PR
    +44(0)20-7680-5500
    [email protected]

SOURCE MACH