iDirect and ip.access Complete Successful Interoperability Test of 3G Small-Cell Infrastructure and IP Satellite Technology

HERNDON, Va., Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/-- VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that it has successfully completed pilot tests with ip.access Ltd. to support 3G service over ip.access' nano3G^® small cell device and iDirect's Evolution^® X1 Outdoor satellite remote. The pilot simulated a live network that could support data rates of 10 Mbps on the outbound channel, 1.2 Mbps on the inbound channel and up to 24 simultaneous voice calls. The tests validated that mobile operators can affordably expand 3G services into remote or new areas, delivering broadband data rates and carrier-class voice quality using small cell technology. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

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The pilot addressed two persistent challenges for mobile operators – how to extend voice and data services to remote areas, where traditional macro cell towers are either too costly or simply not possible to install, and how to affordably backhaul mobile traffic. The pilot featured a nano3G small cell device from ip.access, a leading small cell solutions vendor for mobile operators around the world. The nano3G is a low-power wireless access point that provides hot-spot-like 3G coverage in a public area, private home or business. Small cell devices are a cost-effective alternative to macro cell deployments. They offer significantly lower cost points in purchase and backhaul and can be deployed quickly, with greatly reduced need for technical expertise.

The test also featured iDirect's Evolution X1 Outdoor satellite remote, which works in tandem with small cell devices to backhaul data from remote locations to the core network. Modern TDMA-based satellite systems deliver carrier-class, two-way, all-IP connectivity and can share bandwidth efficiently across multiple end user sites. Further, satellite backhaul has advantages over competing technologies in being quicker and more convenient to deploy and often more economical when extending service into territories that are otherwise difficult to reach.

The proof of concept highlights the opportunity for mobile operators to cost-effectively expand 3G and even 4G connectivity to underserved areas and markets. It's a critical business opportunity as smartphone adoption and data subscription plans are growing exponentially worldwide. Cisco predicts that mobile data traffic will increase 18-fold worldwide by 2016, compared to 2011 rates. And the number of mobile connected devices will surpass 10 billion.

"This joint test is an important validation that mobile operators can leverage small cell devices and satellite backhaul to cost effectively expand 3G service into new areas. This initiative builds on more than four years of successful 2G ip.access deployments in fixed rural and mobile environments using iDirect satellite backhaul. We can now enable mobile operators to capitalize on the global surge in demand for smartphone service."

~ Gavin RAY
VP Product and Marketing, ip.access

"Together, small cell technology and satellite communications are dramatically changing the economics of remote connectivity. Companies like ip.access are opening a gateway for mobile operators to capture millions of new subscribers and achieve significant profitable growth, while bringing high-speed connectivity to underserved populations and business markets."

~ Richard DEASINGTON
Director, Market Development, iDirect

To learn more about small cells and satellite connectivity, visit iDirect at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, February 25-28. iDirect personnel and equipment will be present in the small cell zone, stand 7G74, Hall 7. In addition, iDirect's mobile industry expert, Richard Deasington, will be presenting on Monday, February 25 at 3:30pm at the small cell zone.

ip.access is headquartered in Cambridge, UK and has been deploying small cell solutions for over 10 years providing more than 100 customers around the world with the capability to accelerate the introduction of small cell solutions into their networks irrespective of use case, technology or deployment model. The company's success is built upon its ability to provide its Service Provider customers with a range of small cell solutions across all technologies (2G, 3G, and 4G), alongside a deployment philosophy that integrates the small cell access points with converged access gateways and comprehensive network management and performance tools.

The methodology and solution capability provided by ip.access enables its customers to better manage the economic challenges of delivering against ever more demanding coverage and capacity requirements. This, along with the ease of integration to higher order management solutions and the robust and elegant macro network interaction reduces the 'cycle time' from installation to commercial service.In addition, ip.access has focussed diligently on providing the intelligence and application layers to enable its customers to deliver rapid monetisation of their small cell deployments, drive new and complimentary revenue streams to further enhance the small cells business case. ip.access counts Amadeus Capital Partners, Cisco, Intel Capital, Qualcomm, Rothschild, Scottish Equity Partners and TE Connectivity among its shareholders. For more information please visit www.ipaccess.com.

iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, is a global leader in IP-based satellite communications providing technology that enables our 350+partners to optimize their networks, differentiate and expand their businesses. The iDirect Intelligent Platform™ allows our partners to run their entire business operations more efficiently via a single, unified IP-based satellite architecture, whether it's providing core IP applications to the enterprise or specialized services to any number of diverse vertical markets. iDirect is the #1 name in global satellite communications in key industries including maritime, military/government, and oil and gas, with a 62% hub market share and more than a quarter million remotes installed worldwide. In 2007, iDirect Government Technologies (iGT) was formed to drive adoption of its IP-based solutions in the U.S. government market. In 2008, iDirect Asia Pte Ltd was established in Singapore to enhance its value-add and responsiveness to customers in the Asia Pacific region. For more information please visit www.idirect.net.

VT Systems is an engineering company providing integrated solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. VT Systems' innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering. Please visit www.vt-systems.com.

SOURCE iDirect