i-UP: Intelligent Usage Policy Management
With the global introduction of fixed and mobile broadband networks (e.g. ADSL, WiFi, WiMAX, 3G and HSPA) and the associated increase in usable bandwidth, consumers are using ever increasing amounts of bandwidth. This is particularly true for peer-to-peer (P2P) applications such as BitTorrent, and bandwidth hungry video on demand services such as TV catch-up players. The use of these types of applications has often also been inadvertently encouraged through the deployment of flat pricing schemes where internet access is provided for a daily or monthly fixed fee with either a capped limit on usage or an ‘all-you-can-eat’ unlimited usage model. It is often quoted that we are now in a situation where "20% of subscribers are using 80% of the available bandwidth".
The mobile data networks are particularly vulnerable to this rapid increase in traffic for a number of reasons :
Previous solutions to manage these problems have been largely inadequate, too expensive, and difficult to manage. Often, the solution has involved limiting bandwidth or introducing universal fair usage policies across the board. This merely results in all users receiving the same treatment, even if they are not misusing the service, a degraded service experience for all, unsatisfied customers, and ultimately churn.
VoluBill i-UP: Intelligent Usage Policy Management is a means of offering subscriber and service centric bandwidth and quota management, in order to effectively address these business problems for operators.
The mobile data networks are particularly vulnerable to this rapid increase in traffic for a number of reasons :
- The large scale deployment of technologies such as 3G and HSPA mean that services that were previously only feasible on fixed broadband or WiFi / WiMAX connections are now being used on 3G / HSPA mobile data networks.
- The mass uptake of mobile broadband laptop dongles as an alternative to fixed broadband and WiFi services means that there are a very rapidly increasing number of high volume users on the mobile data network. A mobile broadband user’s monthly data traffic will be several Gigabytes, as opposed to several Megabytes for the typical user on a mobile handset using data services.
- The availability of new mobile handsets such as the Apple iPhone that encourage use of mobile data services such as MP3 downloads, mobile TV, Google and Facebook. Many operators are finding that the data traffic generated by an iPhone user can be 30-50 times greater than users of other data enabled handsets.
Previous solutions to manage these problems have been largely inadequate, too expensive, and difficult to manage. Often, the solution has involved limiting bandwidth or introducing universal fair usage policies across the board. This merely results in all users receiving the same treatment, even if they are not misusing the service, a degraded service experience for all, unsatisfied customers, and ultimately churn.
VoluBill i-UP: Intelligent Usage Policy Management is a means of offering subscriber and service centric bandwidth and quota management, in order to effectively address these business problems for operators.
The architecture of the i-UP solution is shown in the following diagram. click here
The VoluBill i-UP solution provides a real time policy decision and policy enforcement capability to enable an operator to better manage the usage of their network through the enforcement of policies driven by subscriber specific usage. But going further than just managing existing traffic – i.e. protecting the network – the VoluBill solution aims to actively assist in maintaining or even improving customer satisfaction, through notification of usage and dialogue offering top-ups; policy changes on the fly and other advanced and efficient methods to ensure customer’s are able to have a positive service experience at all times. This in turn enables the operator to drive up ARPU and bring new revenue streams online in an efficient and controlled manner, and most importantly in a way that guarantees efficient use of network resources and return on investment.
The key benefits of VoluBill’s i-UP solution are:
The key benefits of VoluBill’s i-UP solution are:
- Unprecedented control : Manage network usage on a personal level, and enforce subscriber and service centric policy decisions.
- Increased customer satisfaction and reduced costs : Provide rich & intuitive user dialogue, top-up / redirection and self care capabilities.
- Rapid time to launch : Due to the flexibility and modularity of the solution, and also VoluBill’s ‘fast-track’ implementation model, we are able to commit a rapid launch thereby enabling the operator to secure revenue streams and gain competitive advantage in the market.
- Investment Protection : The i-UP solution can be expanded over time with modules from the VoluBill Charge it™ framework that provide additional, integrated functional capabilities in conjunction with usage policy management, such as customer care and self-care, real-time rating and balance management as well as billing. This allows a flexible deployment strategy with a lower initial outlay to meet initial critical business requirements, whilst being safe in the knowledge that the solution will also be able to grow to fulfil longer term strategic business objectives.
- Unique ‘one stop’ solution : VoluBill is unique in the market as the only ISV to be able to support real-time charging and usage policy management in a single, integrated solution.
- Multi - technology, single - vendor solution : VoluBill believes that revenue and usage management should be ‘technology independent’ in order to support the future. Our products and people are focussed on supporting all types of services, including GSM, CDMA, WiMAX and Broadband, from a single platform and company.
To request more information on i-UP, please click here
