RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Taqua®, LLC, a leading supplier of convergence switching and small cell deployment solutions, today announced that Cellcom has selected Taqua’s small cell core network infrastructure for its Femtocell convergence solution to bolster its fixed mobile convergence service offerings and enhance wireless coverage and capacity within indoor locations and high-traffic public areas.
Cellcom provides wireless services throughout northeast and central Wisconsin, as well as Upper Michigan. Cellcom has selected Taqua’s small cell core to bridge its legacy circuit switched mobile core with their IP core, enabling Cellcom to offer the same higher quality voice, SMS, data and location enhanced services to customers being served within their new small cell deployments. The solution will also enable the seamless evolution of voice and messaging services as well as 4G/LTE (VoLTE).
Mobile operators are increasingly looking to evolve their fixed mobile convergence (FMC) capabilities for service differentiation. At the same time, smartphones and other data-intensive mobile device usage in both the consumer and enterprise markets continue to provide network capacity challenges for operators. The mobile industry is looking to small cell deployments as a principal solution for addressing network capacity challenges, data off-load requirements, and in-building coverage issues. In addition, small cell deployments (Picocells and Femtocells) form the architectural foundation for a whole new class of FMC services for residences and businesses alike.
“Choosing a flexible small cell core with proven reliability and scalability was paramount in our decision to go with Taqua,” said Rob Riordan, executive vice president and director of corporate development at Cellcom and Nsight. “Taqua’s femtocell convergence software is a market leader that has proven to be highly scalable with other tier-1 carrier deployments. We look forward to working with Taqua to enhance our subscriber’s services and explore additional small cell opportunities.”
Taqua’s small cell core network is comprised of Taqua’s TCS6100™ Convergence Server, T7100™ Multimedia Controller, and the T7000® Intelligent Switching System with mobile interface cards; as well as an integrated session border controller and security gateway from Acme Packet. The TCS6100 is a SIP-based mobile convergence application server that integrates with existing mobile core elements, including the HLR, SMSC, and MSC; using standard ANSI-41 and WIN protocols within CDMA networks. The TCS6100 extends macro network features and functions to small cell-served subscribers. It delivers voice, messaging, and data convergence; provides supplementary services and regulatory services; and enables seamless macro/small cell handoffs. The T7100 provides the media gateway controller and MRF functionality, while the T7000 provides all the media gateway control functionality. As part of its small cell core solution, Taqua integrates and resells Acme Packet’s Net-Net 4500 to provide all encrypted access, core network security and other SIP session control functions for small cells.
About TCS6100
Taqua’s TCS6100 Convergence Server extends macro network features and functions to small cell-served subscribers. It leverages incumbent core network elements enabling mobile operators to deploy new small cell offerings while preserving existing systems and practices. It also allows operators to deliver a consistent user experience and implement unified service plans across small cells and macro networks. The TCS6100 delivers voice, messaging, and data convergence while providing supplementary, regulatory, and emergency services. The solution also enables seamless femto to macro handoff.
The TCS6100 is a 3GPP2 compliant SIP-based architecture supporting both CDMA and UMTS, which allows for easier core network integration while providing a carrier grade platform that is highly scalable and future proofed for 4G including VoLTE.
The solution can be deployed in pre-IMS and IMS networks. In pre-IMS networks, the TCS6100 is an application server operating as a SIP-MSC/IWF, while in IMS networks it operates as a SIP Multimedia Telephony Application Server (MMTEL).
About Nsight
Nsight is the parent company for a family of companies providing wireless, business and residential local phone service, long distance, Internet, web hosting and tower erection and maintenance services in the Midwest. Nsight subsidiaries include Cellcom, Nsight Telservices and Nsight Tower. Cellcom provides wireless services throughout northeast and central Wisconsin, as well as Upper Michigan.
About Taqua®, LLC
Taqua is a leading supplier of next-generation fixed and mobile convergence switching, IP peering, backhaul systems, and enhanced applications. For over a decade, hundreds of wireline, cable and wireless carriers have utilized Taqua's IP-based solutions to establish converged networks and deliver enhanced services to subscribers. Taqua is headquartered in Richardson, TX with research and development facilities located in Hyannis, MA, Acton, MA, Toronto, Canada, and Richardson, TX. More information on Taqua can be obtained by calling +1.972.692.1800, by email at simplify@taqua.com, or by browsing the website at www.taqua.com.