Orange UK: Now The Future Looks Even Brighter…
28 August 2003 15:15
Leading British Mobile Operator Opts for Ascom QVoice to Further Improve Network Quality
The future of Orange UK looks even brighter following its decision to purchase the QVoice network quality solution from Ascom of Switzerland.
Orange UK – the leading British mobile operator in terms of active customer numbers and the number one for quality satisfaction for four years in a row – says the decision to purchase the world-renowned Swiss network monitoring and evaluation system should help it stay that way by further improving its overall network quality.
Shaun Desmond, the company’s performance analysis manager, says the choice of QVoice was for a number of related reasons:
·Product maturity: QVoice has now been on the market for over 10 years, and is used by well over 100 network operators in more than 50 countries. Says Mr Desmond: “There is nothing like the market-place for weeding out bad products, and QVoice has stood the test of time with its customers.”
·Product portfolio: QVoice offers a common platform for voice, CSD, GPRS, SMS, 3G and WAP testing. This also makes the management and support of testing these features easier.
Mr Desmond comments: “Introducing a new vendor for a particular feature set is always resource-intensive. So, if a single vendor can provide a product that effectively tests all the bearers and services that we require, then this creates efficiencies for the team.”
·Open database access: Orange UK needs open access during tests performed for the UK telecommunications regulator, Oftel. The type of reports needed for regulatory purposes require a high degree of customisation, and drive-survey test data must therefore be combined with other data sources.
Mr Desmond’s verdict: “The QVoice database is open, coherent, and highly configurable, which makes it ideal for our purposes.”
·Value: “Value is not the same as cost. Ascom was not the cheapest option, but the ability to multi-test and its scale ability make it a cost-effective solution.”
·Commitment: Mr Desmond concludes: “This is not a tangible benefit, but Ascom have shown their commitment to taking the QVoice product forward over the last 10 years, and this demonstrated to us that we are likely to have a system and relationship that can grow and support our testing needs as they develop.”
QVoice hit the market in 1993 as the first system able to use real speech for voice quality measurements, and is now generally recognised as the market leader for mobile network quality optimisation. Building on its early success, QVoice is also now leading the way when it comes to testing and optimising ‘third-generation’ (3G) networks. Like all their predecessors, the latest QVoice models remain the only systems on the market able to measure both voice and data from a single piece of equipment, while performing simultaneous measurements involving different channels, networks and technologies.
Notes
Orange UK, which started up in April 1994 as the fourth UK mobile operator, is now the UK number one in terms of active customer numbers. With over 12 million customers in the UK, more than 30 million world-wide and operating interests in 20 countries, Orange says its goal is to be “the first for service, quality, innovation and choice”.
About Ascom
Ascom is a solution- and service-oriented technology company that holds a leading market position in its selected business areas. Around the world Ascom plans, builds, services and operates secure, high-availability voice and data networks and develops solutions for integrated revenue collection systems. With a service-oriented portfolio and proven technology know-how, Ascom business units offer discerning customers tailor-made integrated solutions right the way along the value chain. Ascom is committed to profitable growth world-wide. Ascom registered shares (ASCN) are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich.
The QVoice mobile network quality measurement system is the brainchild of its Carrier Products business unit, part of the company’s Network Integration business division.
For more information on this company:
Ascom Mobile Test Solutions - Mobile Test Solutions - Leading in Mobile Network Testing
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