SOS: Anite White Paper Highlights the Challenge of Signalling Overload due to Smart Devices

By Anite Telecoms Ltd, PRNE
Monday, February 7, 2011

Network Simulation can Play a Crucial Role in Addressing Excess Signalling Traffic and its Impact on Network Performance

FLEET, England, February 8, 2011 - With huge growth in smartphone and tablet adoption, the mobile industry
is looking for ways to manage the growing signalling burden created by
'chatty' smart devices. A new White Paper from Anite, the global leader in
wireless device testing, argues that solutions used to simulate the network
behaviour in the lab will play an increasing role in addressing such
signalling issues before smart devices reach the market.

Dr Konstantinos Stavropoulos, IOT Product Manager, Anite and
author of SOS: Signalling Overload due to Smart Devices explains the
challenge the paper explores:

"Many mobile network operators have received unwelcome
negative publicity as a result of issues related with the use of smartphones.
Some of these issues are caused by the inefficient signalling behaviour of
smart devices that effectively keep connecting to and disconnecting from the
mobile network in order to prolong battery life. This "switching on and off"
increases signalling between the device and the network, and is exacerbated
by "chatty" applications such as email and social networking apps that demand
constant updates from the network."

According to network operators, signalling may use as much as
60% of an operator's network resources. With only 40% remaining for traffic,
the inefficiency of smart devices could erode operators' data revenues.
Consumers also suffer, with connection and battery life issues, and such
inefficiencies can substantially degrade user experience.

The White Paper highlights the need for an eco-system driven
approach as the best way to address the signalling overload challenge. Mobile
devices and applications should now be developed with a greater awareness of
their impact on network performance. While field tests and network management
systems can help operators understand how the behaviour of new devices
affects the network, such approaches are costly and reactive. The greater use
of pre-launch laboratory tests will help reduce costs and minimise the
occurrence of problems after a product has been launched. Dr Stavropoulos
explains:

"We believe that network simulation solutions, which are
already widely used for device interoperability testing, will play a crucial
role in ensuring that smart devices do not have an adverse impact on the
mobile network. Anite is increasingly working with mobile network operators
to deploy these solutions and measure the signalling performance of devices
and applications in the lab. Ultimately, we expect such network simulation
based tests to become part of many operators' device acceptance schemes."

The White Paper is available to download from
www.anite.com/signalling-overload-white-paper-download?Itemid=520

About Anite

Anite provides a comprehensive range of critical IT solutions
to the Wireless and Travel sectors across the globe. Listed on the London
Stock Exchange, Anite develops and implements software as well as provides
consultancy, systems integration and managed services to ensure that our
customers operate effectively and securely. By using the latest technologies
to deliver quality and cost-effective solutions, Anite meets customers'
specific requirements and realises tangible results for its clients.

Anite Telecoms offers rigorous yet simplified device testing,
accelerating new devices to market. A global market leader, Anite has over 20
years of experience providing cutting-edge technology to device
manufacturers, operators and test laboratories. Anite was the first company
to verify LTE conformance test cases in 2009 and has consistently remained at
the forefront of the handset testing industry. Its highly flexible and
reliable software solutions make Anite a key partner to the major Telecoms
manufacturers and operators. With a diverse team focused on exceeding
expectations, Anite draws upon worldwide expertise and is enthusiastic about
the future of LTE.

Headquartered in the UK, Anite employs around 500 staff in 13
countries across Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East. For more
information, please visit www.anite.com

For further information, please contact: Anite Telecoms Ltd, Tel: +44-(0)1252-775200, Email: wireless at anite.com. Editorial contacts: Karolina Eklund, Tel: +44-(0)1252-775245, Email: karolina.eklund at anite.com

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