SOS: Anite White Paper Highlights the Challenge of Signalling Overload due to Smart Devices

FLEET, England, February 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- Network Simulation can Play a Crucial Role in Addressing Excess Signalling Traffic and its Impact on Network Performance

With huge growth in smartphone and tablet adoption, the mobile industry is looking for ways to manage the growing signalling burden created by 'chatty' smart devices. A new White Paper from Anite, the global leader in wireless device testing, argues that solutions used to simulate the network behaviour in the lab will play an increasing role in addressing such signalling issues before smart devices reach the market.

Dr Konstantinos Stavropoulos, IOT Product Manager, Anite and author of SOS: Signalling Overload due to Smart Devices explains the challenge the paper explores:

"Many mobile network operators have received unwelcome negative publicity as a result of issues related with the use of smartphones. Some of these issues are caused by the inefficient signalling behaviour of smart devices that effectively keep connecting to and disconnecting from the mobile network in order to prolong battery life. This "switching on and off" increases signalling between the device and the network, and is exacerbated by "chatty" applications such as email and social networking apps that demand constant updates from the network."

According to network operators, signalling may use as much as 60% of an operator's network resources. With only 40% remaining for traffic, the inefficiency of smart devices could erode operators' data revenues. Consumers also suffer, with connection and battery life issues, and such inefficiencies can substantially degrade user experience.

The White Paper highlights the need for an eco-system driven approach as the best way to address the signalling overload challenge. Mobile devices and applications should now be developed with a greater awareness of their impact on network performance. While field tests and network management systems can help operators understand how the behaviour of new devices affects the network, such approaches are costly and reactive. The greater use of pre-launch laboratory tests will help reduce costs and minimise the occurrence of problems after a product has been launched. Dr Stavropoulos explains:

"We believe that network simulation solutions, which are already widely used for device interoperability testing, will play a crucial role in ensuring that smart devices do not have an adverse impact on the mobile network. Anite is increasingly working with mobile network operators to deploy these solutions and measure the signalling performance of devices and applications in the lab. Ultimately, we expect such network simulation based tests to become part of many operators' device acceptance schemes."

    The White Paper is available to download from
http://www.anite.com/signalling-overload-white-paper-download?Itemid=520

About Anite

Anite provides a comprehensive range of critical IT solutions to the Wireless and Travel sectors across the globe. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Anite develops and implements software as well as provides consultancy, systems integration and managed services to ensure that our customers operate effectively and securely. By using the latest technologies to deliver quality and cost-effective solutions, Anite meets customers' specific requirements and realises tangible results for its clients.

Anite Telecoms offers rigorous yet simplified device testing, accelerating new devices to market. A global market leader, Anite has over 20 years of experience providing cutting-edge technology to device manufacturers, operators and test laboratories. Anite was the first company to verify LTE conformance test cases in 2009 and has consistently remained at the forefront of the handset testing industry. Its highly flexible and reliable software solutions make Anite a key partner to the major Telecoms manufacturers and operators. With a diverse team focused on exceeding expectations, Anite draws upon worldwide expertise and is enthusiastic about the future of LTE.

Headquartered in the UK, Anite employs around 500 staff in 13 countries across Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East. For more information, please visit http://www.anite.com

SOURCE Anite Telecoms Ltd