Starent Networks Delivers SIP and IMS Capabilities

Business Wire, Nov 13, 2006

Session Control Manager Solution Successfully Participated in GMI 2006 IMS Interoperability Testing

TEWKSBURY, Mass. -- Starent Networks, Corp., a global market leader in mobile packet core solutions, today announced its Session Control Manager - an integrated Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Proxy/Registrar, Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF), and Policy Agent - for its ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway.

Starent Networks' Session Control Manager (SCM) provides IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)/Multimedia Domain (MMD) capabilities while providing a migration path to a complete IMS/MMD architecture.

The Session Control Manager is a software upgrade to the company's industry leading ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway. The standards-based solution simultaneously supports an IETF SIP Proxy/Registrar, a 3GPP/3GPP2-compliant P-CSCF, and a Policy Agent.

"With this solution, we are evolving the mobile core network towards the IMS/MMD architecture," said Ashraf Dahod, CEO of Starent Networks. "As a result, mobile operators will enhance their subscribers' experience and be able to deliver voice, data, and multimedia over IP."

The introduction of the Session Control Manager represents the first multi-access solution with integrated SIP/IMS features, high performance, and unparalleled reliability. By integrating the Session Control Manager into an intelligent mobile gateway, the system acts as the critical first hop for SIP/IMS applications, enabling end-to-end security, policy control, enhanced charging, and mobility.

"Integrating key IMS functions into existing networks elements is a logical approach to deploying services now while preparing mobile networks for a migration to a full IMS architecture," said Robert W. Johnson, Sr. Analyst, Telcom/Datacom with Venture Development Corporation (VDC). "With significant deployments in the mobile packet core network, Starent Networks is well positioned to deliver appropriate SIP and IMS functions to the mobile wireless market."

In order to showcase its Session Control Manager, Starent participated in the Global MultiService Forum's global multi-vendor interoperability IP Multimedia System (IMS) trials, also known as GMI 2006. During the two-week event, Starent's Session Control Manager successfully participated in testing key interfaces, protocols, and procedures defined in MSF Release 3 Architecture, as well as 3GPP/3GPP2 IMS/MMD.

The Session Control Manager simultaneously supports IETF SIP software clients and IMS/MMD software clients, allowing operators to add the solution as a standard SIP Proxy. An operator can deploy a mix of SIP-based and IMS-based applications, such as Voice over IP (VoIP), Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC), mobile TV, Instant Messaging Presence Service (IMPS), and Voice Call Continuity applications while evolving their IMS core.

The Session Control Manager is combined with Starent's market-leading, multi-access intelligent mobile gateway, allowing operators to deploy access-independent connectivity and global roaming to a multitude of technologies, such as CDMA 1X/1xEVDO, UMTS/W-CDMA, WiFi, WiMAX, and others.

About Starent Networks

Starent Networks, Corp. designs and develops next generation intelligent mobile infrastructure equipment for mobile broadband wireless networks. Starent Networks' solutions provide high-speed packet data, packet voice, and multimedia capabilities to mobile operators, facilitating the delivery of unique services and a rich user experience. Starent Networks has shipped products to customers worldwide and now has over 60 operator deployments. The company is processing over 30 patents on its innovative technologies. The privately held company is headquartered in Tewksbury, Mass. with offices globally in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. Starent Networks was founded in August 2000. For more information, visit www.starentnetworks.com.

Starent and ST16 are registered trademarks of Starent Networks. Corp.