TIM Brasil Rolls Out Wi-Fi Offload With Aptilo and Retis in Advance of Major Sport Events in Brazil

STOCKHOLM and RIO DE JANEIRO, October 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

-- South America's Largest Favela   and Brazil's Airports First to Get Wi-Fi --

In preparation for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games, TIM Brasil, the second largest mobile operator in Brazil, has begun a major Wi-Fi initiative to deploy wireless broadband throughout Brazil. Through systems integrator Retis, Aptilo Networks, the leading provider of mobile data offloading solutions, is providing TIM Brasil with a complete Wi-Fi and mobile data offloading solution that allows for a cost-effective, fast rollout; decreases 3G network congestion and improves operator's customer experience.

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The Aptilo solution offloads mobile data from TIM Brasil's HSPA and HSPA+ networks through Aptilo's Wi-Fi platform. Utilizing the fiber network of TIM Intelig and TIM Fiber as a backbone, TIM Brasil will leverage Aptilo's mobile data offloading and Wi-Fi solutions on a national basis.

TIM Brasil's aggressive expansion plans are expected to offload mobile data traffic, using over 10,000 hotspots to be deployed throughout Brazil.    

"People from all over the world will flock to Brazil to celebrate the World Cup and 2016 Olympics. The ability to offload mobile data to Wi-Fi will ease network congestion significantly and increase data speeds, for an exceptional user experience," said Rafael Marquez, Marketing Director at TIM Intelig. "This is also an opportunity to bring Wi-Fi to high-dense areas where fixed Internet cannot reach, such us our favelas where we have a fast-growing customer base so everyone can stay connected."  

TIM Brasil has been the first private company to deploy low-cost wireless broadband in Rocinha, the largest favela (low-income shantytown neighborhood) in South America. Rocinha houses a quarter of a million people in two square miles. TIM Brasil will roll out Aptilo's Wi-Fi and mobile data offloading solution to favelas as recently done in Paraisopolis (Sao Paulo), providing Internet access to orphanages, schools and other community organizations that otherwise would not have connectivity.

TIM Brasil has also deployed Aptilo's Wi-Fi and mobile data offloading solution to the main 15 airports in Brazil, including Sao Paulo, Rio, Recife and Brasilia.

In advance of 2014 World Cup, TIM announced a partnership with Vasco da Gama, a major team in Rio de Janeiro, to provide, by the end of this year, Wi-Fi access for spectators in its private soccer arena.

TIM Brasil also innovated being the first operator in South America to utilize EAP-SIM Authentication.  Aptilo's SIM Authentication Server™ is highly scalable and optimized to deliver an automatic, secure and seamless mobile data offload experience. It authenticates users via the SIM card (utilizing EAP-SIM/AKA) in their mobile device as they move from TIM Brasil's 3G network to Wi-Fi, ensuring an "invisible" handoff as users move from 3G to the Wi-Fi network.  

The SIM Authentication Server also helps TIM Brasil monetize the network.  When customers are authenticated as they move from the 3G to the Wi-Fi network, they are brought to a portal page to approve the minimal daily charge for Wi-Fi access.

"With the Retis-Aptilo solution, TIM Brasil's customers enjoy an easy-to-use experience and TIM Brasil has opportunities to generate revenue.  Everyone benefits," said Paolo Di Loreto, Country Manager of Retis do Brasil.  

"Mobile data offloading delivers an exceptional customer experience by enabling a seamless flow from one network to another," said Torbjorn Ward, CEO, Aptilo Networks. "TIM Brasil and Retis are bringing Internet access to those who otherwise would not have the opportunity. We are proud to be working with them."  

About TIM Brasil

TIM Brasil (Telecom Italia Group) is the second-largest Brazilian mobile operator.  It offers national cellular coverage and serves more than with 64+ million subscribers. It also offers national and international distance services to all of Brazil.  For more information visit http://www.tim.com.br

About Retis Advanced Solutions

Retis advises and guides clients in the creation of innovative and imaginative solutions to create competitive advantage.  Retis provides high quality services to major TLC operators and mobile phone vendors, and also offers high-level technical solutions to enterprise and government agencies.  For more information visit http://www.retis.it.

About Aptilo Networks

Aptilo Networks is a leading provider of systems to manage mobile data services for Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3G/LTE networks, including mobile data offloading.  Aptilo's carrier-class solutions boast pre-integrated authentication, policy control and charging functions to maximize functionality and fast-track deployments while minimizing impact on existing systems. Aptilo's solutions are currently in operation in more than 60 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.aptilo.com.

For further information please contact:

Hillary Call, Public Relations Manager
Aptilo Networks AB
c/o Call Communications
P: +1-917-414-9262
[email protected]    

SOURCE Aptilo Networks and TIM Brasil