Swisscom launches LTE roaming, and becomes one of the first operators in the world to offer this service to its subscribers.
For Swiss consumers, network quality is considered one of the most important factors when selecting an operator. As a market with a large number of multinational corporations and business people, subscribers expect an exceptional quality of service wherever they are.
Swisscom has become one of the first operators in Europe to launch LTE roaming services. "What’s important to us is that we are innovative – we launch new services early," says Richard Schenk, Head of Mobile, Core & Authentication, Swisscom. "Traffic is growing so dramatically at the moment, both here and internationally. Our customers expect this service to be available to them abroad – and that’s why we initiated this project."
New protocol, new platform
Swisscom teamed up with Ericsson to create a solution that would allow it to swiftly implement these services. A platform was needed that would be capable of handling Diameter signaling related to LTE, and its inevitable sharp increase.
Based on the Ericsson Diameter Signaling Controller, the Swisscom-Ericsson team came up with a solution that alleviates the signaling load on the network, whilst at the same time complying with the 3GPP standards. Diameter is a new protocol for LTE, which requires certain security functions to be in place to protect Swisscom from external attacks on its network. These features include topology hiding, screening of messages and limitation of traffic.
The Ericsson Diameter Signaling Controller also makes it easier to handle traffic and connect new roaming partners, ensuring that there are no interoperability issues when deploying LTE roaming with other operators.
Consistent connectivity
As a result of the project, LTE subscribers are able to use this service while travelling to many different countries across Asia and the Americas. Services that they use at home will now also be available when roaming, with data stored in the cloud. Swisscom is now in discussion with several other international operators who are interested in initiating roaming agreements.
"The benefits for Swisscom are that the service prevents churn and attracts new subscribers who want to access its roaming service," explains Michel Soravia, Swisscom Account Manager, Ericsson. As the only Swiss operator to currently support LTE roaming, Swisscom has reinforced its position as market leader, with the ability to offer services that no other operator in the region can provide.
Frequent feedback
Overall, it was effective cooperation between the two sides that made the project so successful. Swisscom participated throughout the design phase, right up to integration. "From beginning to end, the collaboration between Ericsson and Swisscom was excellent," says Stéphane Montandon, Signaling & Roaming Engineer, Swisscom. "I really appreciated being able to offer my feedback directly to the development people, and then seeing those changes integrated into new releases soon after."
"We are satisfied with the product," says Richard Schenk. "It will enable us to connect many more roaming partners in the future, and facilitate the introduction of new services such as voice over LTE." Swisscom plans to use the Ericsson Diameter Signaling Controller for its voice over LTE deployment during the last quarter of 2013.
Customer Profile
Swisscom is Switzerland’s leading telecoms provider, with 6.3 million mobile customers and around 1.7 million broadband connections. With a presence throughout Switzerland, it offers a wide range of products and services for mobile, landline and IP-based voice and data communication. Swisscom also provides services for IT infrastructure outsourcing and management of communications infrastructures.
www.swisscom.ch/en
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