Somafone, a nationwide wireless services provider in Somalia, has announced today that it has completed a major network expansion, bringing high-speed mobile data services to the region. The Somafone network expansion features EDGE and GPRS wireless data capabilities from TECORE® Wireless Systems, a leading supplier of new generation wireless solutions. The advanced mobile data services will set the stage for a field trial deployment of IMS based services for Somafone.
Utilizing its existing TECORE AirCore® SoftMSC™, Somafone will leverage the TECORE IMS multi-technology platform, allowing convergent operation across the full spectrum of wireless technologies. With the TECORE IMS, different access technologies such as GSM, WiFi, and WiMAX can be supported over a common network, giving Somafone the ability to migrate to a fully converged voice and data network for multimedia applications. The platform supports both Pre-IMS and IMS network services such as Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) and Prepaid.
Somafone’s completed network expansion includes additional footprint and capacity upgrades that have doubled the overall coverage and subscriber capacity of its initial GSM deployment in 2004. The EDGE/GPRS data network provided by TECORE will provide data rates up to 384 kbps, enabling Somafone to be the first operator in the region to offer new wireless applications such as high-speed wireless Internet browsing, multimedia messaging, mobile email access, and video downloads.
“With our current rate of deployment of new sites, rapid integration of EDGE and GPRS data services to our network, and the integration of a number of service-enabling features such as SMPP-enabled integrated SMS and email, TECORE has been and still is a valuable part and parcel of our success,” said Abdullahi Hussein, CEO of Somafone. “The TECORE IMS will provide us with the ability to offer more IP-based value-added services to our customer base.”
“The current network expansion at Somafone illustrates TECORE’s ability to rapidly deploy full GSM networks with value-added data services,” said Paul Chimleski, vice president of TECORE Global Services. “Our scalable core network architecture and advanced data capabilities enable a rapid and cost effective migration for operators in emerging markets to evolve to next-generation wireless architectures.”
About Somafone
Somafone provides GSM voice and EDGE/GPRS data services with national and international connectivity in Somalia. Somafone provides advanced GSM features, including Over the Air Activation (OTA), SMS to Email, Email to SMS, Email Notifications by SMS, Missed Call Notifications, Virtual Top-Up, and Prepaid services critical in the rapidly expanding African market. Somafone is a full member of the GSM Association.
About TECORE
Founded in 1991, TECOREÒ Wireless Systems has become a leading provider of mobile communications systems and its AirCore® SoftMSC™ provides unparalleled functionality and scalability across wireless technologies and applications for both carriers and enterprises. The patented multi-protocol architecture facilitates voice, data, and multimedia from a common platform. The company’s turn-key solutions feature its AirCore SoftMSC which includes wireless core network nodes such as MSC, VLR, HLR, STP, SMSC, MMSC, SSF, SRF and SCF Intelligent Network in conjunction with advanced GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/1xRTT and 3G base station solutions to deliver fully-integrated wireless communication services. TECORE is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company. For more information, please visit the TECORE website at www.tecore.com.
