Bridgewater Systems Enables New Business Models in Converged Networks

Business Wire, Oct 10, 2006

Next-Generation Subscriber-Centric Policy Management

Addresses Demand for Service Layer Policy Controls

OTTAWA -- At Broadband World Forum Europe, Bridgewater Systems unveiled plans to help service providers simplify network access control, enhance application authorization, and enable dynamic management of broadband services. These benefits are extended in the company's next-generation subscriber-centric policy management technology and address the demand for enhanced service layer policy control in converged networks. Bridgewater Systems (Stand #821) is a leading developer of subscriber-centric policy management software for IP-based services.

"Bridgewater's next-generation policy management solutions represent a natural evolution of our flagship network access control, application authorization, and dynamic broadband management solutions widely deployed today in service provider networks around the globe," said Russ Freen, co-founder and chief technology officer for Bridgewater Systems. "Wireless, wireline and converged network service providers will find that their greatest policy management challenges are being directly addressed by Bridgewater through product releases planned for 2007."

The company's next generation technology will enable service providers to build a unified view of the subscriber, across any access network or application, regardless of whether the application resides within the service provider network or is hosted by a third party. This capability is important in converged network scenarios to resolve the challenges and costs associated with subscriber database and application silos - including a fragmented subscriber experience, inability to capitalize easily on application bundle opportunities, and increased management costs.

Increasingly, service providers are looking beyond their walled garden or network to offer applications and content from third-party providers that broaden and differentiate their services. Bridgewater Systems' service layer policy controls will enable service providers to track, control, and monetize subscriber access to third-party applications and content while providing application vendors access to subscriber profiling, subscription, presence and location information. This technology will also allow service providers to extend policy controls over how, and under which circumstances, subscriber information is accessible to third party applications, and how to prioritize access to this information for preferred providers. By addressing this important market dynamic, Bridgewater gives service providers the tools to manage and profit from new revenue-sharing business models in partnership with third parties.

"Our next-generation policy management roadmap was developed in response to the needs of service providers and application vendors to create, effectively manage, and profit from innovative new business models that can evolve as networks converge," Freen added. "This customer-driven portfolio was also influenced by Bridgewater's active participation in 3GPP2, WiMAX Forum, and OMA as well as in consideration of standards from 3GPP, ETSI TISPAN, and CableLabs."

About Bridgewater Systems

Bridgewater Systems develops the industry's most advanced subscriber-centric policy management software for IP-based services. Its solutions help global service providers maximize profits and launch new services faster. Bridgewater does this by providing them with a unified view of their subscribers across all access technologies. With Bridgewater's software, service providers have an intelligent policy-decision point for the management of subscribers, applications, and network resources. The Bridgewater Systems' product suite delivers high performance policy management via its market-leading authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) systems. It also offers a range of modular products for application support, mediation, and dynamic broadband management. Bridgewater Systems' proven carrier-class products deliver on-demand data services, extensive revenue capture capabilities, and out-of-the-box value that can be deployed in weeks - instead of months.

More than 60 leading service providers from around the globe (including: Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, Bell Mobility, Virgin Mobile USA,) trust Bridgewater's technology and business insight to help them deliver world-class services. Founded in 1997, Bridgewater Systems is a privately held company. www.bridgewatersystems.com