Simtel Safeguards GSM Quality in South America.

NEW ORLEANS -- Network QoS Monitoring Can Give Operators 20 Per Cent More Revenue from Existing Infrastructure

GSM network QoS monitoring experts Simtel are looking to build on their success in the South American market with enhancements to the Netledge(TM) service quality portfolio.

Simtel's Netledge has been implemented to monitor the networks of TIM in Brazil - one of the fastest growing GSM markets in the world, and Entel PCS in Chile, the nation's first GSM operator and largest mobile network.

Simtel's technology enables 24/7, real time network QoS monitoring to identify and report on network behaviour, enabling rapid resolution of quality issues that may impact subscriber satisfaction and therefore reduce potential revenue.

"The Brazilian market continues to grow along with the QoS expectations of our subscribers. It is therefore critical that our network performs at optimal levels to meet these expectations. Simtel's Netledge solutions help us to make these QoS guarantees to our subscribers", said Sergio Schinaia, Network Manager, TIM Brazil.

"We are committed to providing our subscribers with the best possible user experience," said Marco di Costanzo, Network Manager Entel PCS. "Simtel's Netledge solution enables us to guarantee high quality of service, and a robust, reliable network infrastructure that can seamlessly handle the introduction of new applications."

Simtel's Netledge enables increased traffic and improved call handover, while reducing the number of dropped calls and sustaining longer call times, all achieved with no additional investment in network infrastructure. Operators benefit from the knowledge that can make their existing networks work harder, meaning less investment in additional sites, and therefore less maintenance and reduced capital and operational expenditure.

Ali Pourtaheri, CEO of Simtel, said: "The South American mobile market is experiencing huge and rapid growth, and networks need to be both flexible and finely tuned to manage increased traffic without sacrificing quality standards.

A streamlined network means maximum performance, and minimises the investment required in physical infrastructure and associated roll-out costs."

As well as voice monitoring, Netledge now encompasses GPRS monitoring and location-based capability enabling reporting and analysis accurate to within tens of metres. Netledge also offers operators the Protocol Analyser, which provides the capability of analysing every detail of network activity across the monitored interfaces, regardless of the protocols being used.

Simtel's Netledge has enabled(a) a 15 per cent increase in traffic, reduced dropped call rates by 25 per cent, delivered a 35 per cent improvement on the mean time between dropped calls, and reduced the failure rate of handovers by 15 per cent - all improvements to existing network performance that provide direct and positive impact on operator revenue.

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(a) The Simtel tests were run in conjunction with a major infrastructure vendor over a 2G network comprising approximately 500 cells on 5 different BSCs and around 1300 TRXs.

About Simtel

Simtel is a world-leading developer of real-time (24x7) Quality of Service (QoS) monitoring for both mobile and fixed networks. Simtel's Netledge(TM) portfolio of hardware and software solutions helps operators identify areas of revenue loss, due to unacceptable QoS. And, by ensuring optimal network QoS, Simtel also enables operators to focus on new service introductions that will ultimately drive increases in ARPU.

For more information on Simtel visit www.simtelgroup.com