Comverse has enabled Cherry, the mobile brand of service provider Mondial Telecom, to launch voice services in Belgium by using fixed-mobile converged, dual cellular/Wi-Fi.
When subscribing to Cherry’s mobile service, customers receive a dual-mode mobile handset that operates over Wi-Fi within its coverage zone and switches seamlessly to GSM technology when leaving the Wi-Fi coverage zone. This communication between GSM and VoIP over Wi-Fi is made possible by Comverse Netcentrex IP Communications.
Deployed as a Software as a Service model at the Comverse Netcentrex hosting center, this has allowed Cherry to launch service in the Belgium market without a mobile infrastructure. As a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, Cherry also does not have its own licensed frequency allocation of radio spectrum.
“Comverse has been a valuable partner in this innovative project by enhancing the intelligence of the network to offer affordable mobile services over a unified network with user transparency,” said Bernard Noël de Burlin, CEO of Mondial Telecom.
Comverse’s technology, for instance, complemented Mondial Telecom’s experience in all customer facing aspects, including back-office operations and agreements with a wide range of operators, such as global hotspots, WiFi providers, and mobile and fixed network providers.
Cherry envisions launching a similar service in other countries with various Internet Service Providers and fixed and/or mobile operators. “This model that we developed with Comverse and some other partners has high potential,” said José Zurstrassen, Chairman of Mondial Telecom and the founder of Skynet, the largest ISP in Belgium.
Comverse’s hosting facilities provide a full range of IP communications services for the enterprise and consumer markets with carrier-grade service quality and availability. Comverse Netcentrex Hosted IP Communications is the ideal solution for rapid, cost-effective deployment of innovative and attractive value-added services.
