Product briefs

Roaming platform

Rochester, NY -- Performance Technologies has introduced the MicroLegend GSM roaming platform. It enables large GSM carriers to offer wholesale roaming services to small or emerging GSM wireless carriers that otherwise may not be able to provide extensive roaming coverage to their subscribers.

To enable GSM roaming, carriers assign each of their subscribers an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and authenticate the user in a database or HLR. By using the platform, a larger carrier with extensive roaming agreements and network coverage can provide a range of its IMSIs to smaller carriers for roaming purposes only, thus enabling these small carriers to provide GSM roaming capabilities, regardless of the size of their network coverage.

The roaming-IMSIs are sent via a SS7 signaling query when a customer phone is activated in a visited locale. Upon reaching the platform, the roaming-IMSI is translated to the IMSI associated with the smaller carrier. Another query is then launched by the platform to the smaller carrier’s HLR to allow calling to take place.

The platform consists of two major components: An SS7 signaling access platform using the same basic SS7 system software as MicroLegend 4000 series signaling gateway, and an IMSI translation application, residing in a small adjunct server. The access platform uses the company’s “hot swap” CompactPCI access modules that interface to the SS7 network.

www.pt.com

Location, location, location

San Diego -- Qualcomm has introduced a new gpsOne mobile-based product feature for location-related applications and services. The feature enables position location calculations directly in the mobile device in addition to supporting positioning fixes performed by a location server. The feature maintains the advantages of WAG (a form of Assisted Global Positioning System, or A-GPS technology) while optimizing support for wireless applications such as navigation, telematics, health and personal security and real-time asset tracking services.

www.qualcomm.com

Protocol stack

Berlin -- Condat AG has delivered the first UMTS single-mode protocol stack. The single-mode version of the UMTS protocol stack makes it possible for customers to produce UMTS-capable handsets. “By facilitating the switch between GSM/UMTS networks, it’s possible to provide low-cost calls over the GSM network as well as a wide range of multimedia applications over the UMTS network," said Pedro Schäffer, Condat AG CEO.

Also, handset makers can assess and test their UMTS equipment and systems at the current stage of development. The protocol stack allows manufacturers to implement their m-business applications on high-speed UMTS networks. A large part of the protocol stack development takes place in Condat's R&D center- currently operating with more than 35 specialists- located in Aalborg, Denmark.

www.condat.de

Field service

Boca Raton, FL -- An enhanced version of DispatchSuite, introduced by JumpStart Wireless, offers companies with as few as 20 field service reps dispatching and work order management.

DispatchSuite is a complete Web application, providing real-time Internet communication with mobile workers using an array of standard hand-held wireless communication devices.

“Web-based DispatchSuite is affordable and easy to install and use by any firm with a PC, Internet access, and an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer 5.0. DispatchSuite works with a range of wireless devices and carriers. With DispatchSuite smaller businesses can achieve levels of field force productivity enjoyed by such giant users of wireless business applications as Sears, FedEx and UPS,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bonar, President and CEO of JumpStart Wireless.

When customers call, head office staff enter new jobs into work-order management web screens. That work-order information--customer location, problem description, contact name, for example--is immediately routed to field staff as business forms on the screens of their hand-held devices. As field staff does its work, it enters information into those forms on their devices which immediately send job start and stop times, work completed, parts used, billing and other relevant information back to the head office.

www.jumpstartwireless.com