MegaFon, has signed a roaming agreement with Transaction Network Services’ (TNS) LTE Roaming Hub (Hub).
This strategic relationship, which also includes access to Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) members who are participating in CCA’s Data Services Hub, will help MegaFon improve its subscriber roaming experience in the US and gain new inbound roaming revenues.
The LTE Roaming Hub will provide MegaFon with extensive US coverage via access to the networks of dozens of other participating carriers, the majority of which are now LTE. As an international Hub partner, MegaFon will also offer inbound roaming support to the Hub’s subscriber base travelling to Russia.
As an effective and streamlined alternative to direct roaming relationships, the TNS powered solution will allow MegaFon to improve its subscribers roaming experience by offering a larger seamless footprint with greater LTE coverage. At the same time it will help simplify MegaFon’s contractual and accounting routines, deliver operational cost savings and bring new revenue opportunities through reciprocal inbound roaming into Russia.
Joe Lueckenhoff, executive vice president and general manager of TNS’ Telecommunication Services Division, said: “We have created a dedicated Hub which aims to help international carriers access the US in a simple, comprehensive and effective way. We are delighted to be welcoming MegaFon to the Hub and helping improve its roaming capability.
“The Hub operates as a mutually-beneficial community with all parties having the ability not only to improve their subscriber experience but also to grow their business with additional revenues gained through increased inbound roaming activities. Momentum is really building and we are excited to be in discussions with a number of other international carriers as the benefits of the Hub become more widely recognised.”
The TNS technology supports VoLTE and enables roaming to and from LTE networks without circuit-switched fall back to 3G and the associated quality of service impacts this brings.
Hub BreakOut (HBO), which is one of the features of the TNS LTE Roaming Hub, allows subscribers to obtain internet data at Regional Internet Hubs. As a result these requests do not have to be routed back to MegaFon’s home network ensuring quicker delivery of data and a better customer experience while they are away from the home network. Additionally, as a Hub member/partner HBO allows an accelerated VoLTE roaming solution that is in compliance with regional and local regulatory requirements.
Steven K. Berry, president and CEO of CCA, said: “I am very pleased that international carriers like MegaFon recognise the unique capabilities of an LTE Roaming Hub. The TNS technology, which powers the Hub, ensures interoperability and delivers a seamless advanced roaming experience which can help carriers gain competitive advantage both at home and abroad. MegaFon joins over a dozen carriers participating in CCA’s Data Services Hub to expand data and voice roaming capabilities across each other’s regions, and I am delighted the Hub is reaching international partners.”
MegaFon is currently the leading provider of mobile internet services and has the second largest number of active subscribers in Russia. In 2012 it completed an initial public offering and is now listed on the Moscow and London Stock Exchanges.
From small rural operators in the US to the largest multi-national carriers, TNS has over 500 operator partners in the US and addresses the full needs of wireless and wireline operators in the US and globally. TNS’ networks have been specifically designed and configured for the transmission of transaction-related time sensitive data and support a variety of widely accepted communications protocols.
Since it was founded in 1990, TNS has grown to provide services in more than 60 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific region, and offers 24x7x365 support via its Network Operating Centers in the US, UK and Australia.
Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @ VanillaPlus OR @jcvplus
