Aicent
and BT announced that the interconnection between their GPRS Roaming
Exchange (GRX) networks has enabled US operator AT&T Wireless and
Singapore operator StarHub to launch GPRS roaming services in each other's
coverage areas. Mobile subscribers of these two operators now have the
same GPRS data services available when they travel between these two
countries as they do within their own networks.
According to EMC, a market research firm, over 100 GPRS networks have been launched worldwide. Roaming service -- making GPRS services available when mobile users travel outside their own networks -- is considered a critical offering by all GPRS operators. GPRS roaming is provided through GRX, a centralized IP routing network connecting to multiple GPRS networks. Aicent and BT each operates its own GRX network, and offers roaming and other global services to its GPRS operator customers, such as StarHub and AT&T Wireless, respectively. Peering between Aicent and BT enables subscribers of all of their participating GPRS operators to roam within the other operators' service areas, often across continental boundaries.
Chris Clark, President, BT Ignite Carrier Services, said: "BT Roam GPRS is a valuable addition to our portfolio after re-absorbing Concert products back into the business. We are delighted to be working with Aicent to extend the reach of AT&T Wireless and BT Ignite. While our focus remains on Europe, our ability to partner at the highest technical level and engage with competitors in the best interests of our customer base underlines our commitment in this market."
"Singapore is the regional communications hub for Southeast Asia," said Lynn Liu, president and CEO of Aicent, "and we are pleased to enable the first commercial GPRS roaming service between the US and Singapore through our GRX peering with BT. This is another important milestone on our way to providing a broad range of innovative mobile data services to our Asia Pacific mobile operator customers."
