ADTRAN and Accuris Networks Partner to Extend Cellular Service Continuity to the Wireless LAN

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. & DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ADTRAN®, Inc., (NASDAQ:ADTN), a leading provider of cloud connectivity, enterprise communications and virtual mobility solutions, today announced a partnership with Accuris Networks, a leading provider of Wi-Fi offload and roaming inter-working solutions, to deliver a secure, flexible and scalable network virtualization architecture for cloud-based mobile offload and roaming. Accuris has joined ADTRAN’s Total Solution Alliance Program, partnering with ADTRAN to provide highly reliable, performance-enhanced network solutions that enable converged services with superior quality and availability.

“This collaborative effort addresses the need for a flexible, cloud-enabled networking environment with the scaling capabilities to satisfy massive increases in mobile data – a critical business issue facing all mobile operators around the globe”

Mobile offload solutions are enabling mobile operators to satisfy the growing demand for mobile data. The proliferation of smartphones and tablets has created congestion on 3G/4G/LTE mobile networks. Fortunately, these devices can also support a data session on Wi-Fi networks which opens the possibility of easing the burden on cellular networks. However, most Wi-Fi networks are not designed to meet the challenge of offload. Wi-Fi networks are commonly designed around independent access points that cannot support access point-to-access point mobility or they are built around hardware-based controllers that create backhaul challenges. In addition, user authentication is designed for nomadic public access using a laptop computer and not for a mobile user with a smartphone.

ADTRAN’s unique approach, based on the Bluesocket virtual Wireless LAN solution (vWLAN), allows for the data session to be distributed and managed locally in the access point. The control plane is both centralized and virtualized so that it can reside anywhere in the cloud. With user control and session authentication taking place remotely, the need for data session backhaul is eliminated. This gives mobile network operators the maximum degree of freedom to design an optimal offload network. ADTRAN’s cloud-based mobile offload solution saves operators the expense and engineering challenges of coping with backhaul. At the same time, vWLAN supports access point-to-access point mobility, access point-based security policies, and user differentiation necessary to support offload.

By partnering with Accuris Networks, ADTRAN marries the benefits of vWLAN with the carrier-grade capabilities of Accuris Networks’ AccuROAM solution for authentication, billing, settlement, and policy enforcement. The carrier-grade solution enables macro network features and service interworking to be extended to subscribers connected via a wi-fi network while ensuring subscribers receive the same user experience as they would on the cellular network. Operators gain a detailed view of all wi-fi connected subscriber activity along with the ability to control and manage those subscribers in real time.

“This collaborative effort addresses the need for a flexible, cloud-enabled networking environment with the scaling capabilities to satisfy massive increases in mobile data – a critical business issue facing all mobile operators around the globe,” said Aidan Dillon, CTO for Accuris Networks.

“We are very pleased to partner with Accuris Networks to deliver next generation mobile offload and roaming solutions,” stated Mads Lillelund, general manager for ADTRAN’s Bluesocket Business Group. “Leveraging virtualization to remove the traditional limitations of today’s existing network architectures holds the promise of highly scalable, cloud-enabled networks that will further advance mobile communications worldwide.”

About Accuris Networks

Accuris Networks is a leading provider of roaming interworking, device management and convergence solutions. The AccuROAM platform is designed to provide mobile communications operators with a Wi-Fi offload and Wi-Fi roaming solution, which includes smartphone client software, access server/gateway technology and billing integration designed to provide a seamless and secure user experience for data, voice and messaging services. For more information, visit Accuris Networks at www.accuris-networks.com.

About ADTRAN

ADTRAN, Inc. is a leading global provider of networking and communications equipment. ADTRAN’s products enable voice, data, video and Internet communications across a variety of network infrastructures. ADTRAN solutions are currently in use by service providers, private enterprises, government organizations, and millions of individual users worldwide. For more information, please visit www.adtran.com.