Neustar, TSSG and GSMA Collaborate to Simplify IP Routing

STERLING, Va., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Neustar, Inc., (NYSE: NSR), a provider of services that enable trusted, reliable and secure communication across networks, applications and enterprises around the world, today announced that the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG), Ireland's largest telecommunications software research center, has selected PathFinder, a GSMA-managed service operated by Neustar, to manage complex IP routing scenarios that will transpire in an "all-IP" / IP Multimedia Systems (IMS) network environment.

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"Neustar is honored to be working with Ireland's leading integration center on next generation communications technologies and the evolution to an all-IP network environment," said Steve Edwards, senior vice president, Carrier Services at Neustar.  "The ability to seamlessly deliver services across network boundaries is critical within any advanced communications environment. The future is about convergence, interconnectivity and interoperability – and Neustar is pleased to work closely with TSSG and GSMA to make our collective vision a reality."  

A critical element in any telephony network is the signaling and routing necessary to connect calls and provide services across network types. One of the TSSG's highest-priority initiatives has been the development of an IMS network that will allow TSSG research partners and customers to simulate advanced IMS calls and services. In an IMS network, operators require advanced signaling and routing capabilities to determine appropriate routing information, identify available IP interconnection points and gauge requirements for service-specific data and number portability. TSSG has selected PathFinder to manage the routing and signaling of these calls.

PathFinder is a managed carrier ENUM registry service operated by Neustar on behalf of the GSMA. The registry allows operators to share IP gateway information with their business partners, ensuring that the operators stay in full control of their published data. PathFinder also provides a global number portability service, covering over 80% of the telephone numbers worldwide that can be ported.

"The growth in mobile broadband has continued to accelerate the adoption of advanced communication services by consumers around the world," said Shane Dempsey, Test Centre Manager at the TSSG. "As the industry moves towards 'all-IP' networks, IMS and the GSMA's Rich Communication Suite will create revenue opportunities by combining voice, video, content sharing and presence while delivering the service across network boundaries. That interoperability would not be possible without the advanced signaling and routing solutions that a service like PathFinder delivers. We appreciate the continued support from our strategic partners at Neustar and the GSMA."

Currently, Neustar and the GSMA provide the TSSG with access to the PathFinder interoperability test environment, enabling the TSSG research community to provision routing information in a shared carrier ENUM database that can then be queried by all parties involved in the test environment. Any change in the interconnect information is immediately available to the whole community, which increases not only the efficiency of the test setup but also allows operators to prepare for future enhancements to their routing architectures.

"The potential for next generation services is enormous, but it will only be realized as operators discover ways to deliver the services to consumers regardless of their physical location, or network affiliation," said Adrian Dodd, Senior Director, Managed Services at the GSMA. "As next generation IP-based services proliferate, operators can utilize PathFinder to position new services behind the telephone number already used by subscribers. This is a necessary capability in an IMS network environment."

About Neustar, Inc.

Neustar, Inc. (NYSE: NSR) provides market-leading and innovative services that enable trusted communication across networks, applications, and enterprises around the world. To learn more about Neustar, visit www.neustar.biz.

About the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG)

The Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) at the Waterford Institute of Technology is a place where high quality research addresses the transformation of the telecommunications industry. Its core focus is on telecommunication network management, security and mobile services. It is Ireland's largest ICT research centre. For more information, visit www.tssg.org. For more information on the NGN test centre, visit http://www.ngntestcentre.com

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SOURCE Neustar, Inc.