Sandvine predicts World Cup 2014 enthusiasts need defense against bill shock

Audio and video streaming account for 28% of roaming data on tier-1 European mobile network

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Sandvine, (TSX:SVC; AIM:SAND) a leading provider of intelligent broadband network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, today announced that audio and video streaming account for 28-percent of roaming data as observed on a tier-1 European mobile network. Given the growing popularity of streamed sporting events such as the 2012 Olympics, Sandvine predicts World Cup 2014 in Brazil will be the most streamed event in history and without necessary roaming plans or notifications in place; it may also lead to the most widespread case of bill shock to date.

Bill shock is a negative reaction to unexpected charges on mobile phone bills and can be mitigated by communications service provider (CSP) efforts to educate and inform customers.  Typical roaming charges are accrued based on data usage and can quickly add up.  For example, a 3-minute YouTube video uses approximately 10MB of data which would cost a subscriber on average 7€ to watch while roaming in Europe.

"Controlling the risk for bill shock by tightening the connection between CSPs and subscribers is a win-win for everyone," said Dave Caputo, CEO, Sandvine.  "Mobile operators gain the loyalty of their subscribers and new revenue opportunities through tiered services and subscribers gain personalized tiers and roaming capabilities without the risk of unknown charges."

As demonstrated at O2 UK (April 2011), a Telefonica subsidiary, Sandvine's Usage Management product monitors subscriber roaming usage in real-time and proactively keeps subscribers informed of their usage through automated messages that notify subscribers when they are nearing and surpassing their data limit. The European Union was among the first regions to introduce bill shock notification regulations, back in 2007 and implementation occurred over several years.

Regulations aimed at mitigating bill shock have surfaced in Latin American, as the GSMA recently launched a roaming transparency initiative.  The initiative is supported by operator groups including América Móvil, Antel, Entel Chile, Millicom, Oi, Orange, Telecom Italia and Telefónica. Just in time for World Cup 2014.

For more information on Sandvine's subscriber communications, bill shock notifications and Usage Management products, visit Mobile World Congress booth 5B73 from February 25-28.

ABOUT SANDVINE
Sandvine's network policy control solutions add intelligence to fixed, mobile and converged communications service provider networks to enable services that can increase revenue and reduce network costs. Powered by Sandvine's Policy Engine and SandScript policy language, Sandvine's networking equipment performs end-to-end policy control functions including traffic classification, and policy decision and enforcement across the data, control and business planes.  Sandvine's products provide actionable business insight, the ability to deploy new subscriber services and tools to optimize traffic while enhancing subscriber Internet quality of experience.

Sandvine's network policy control solutions are deployed in more than 200 networks in over 85 countries, serving hundreds of millions of data subscribers worldwide, www.sandvine.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this release which are not historical facts constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") and are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of such laws. Statements related to the scope of deployment of Sandvine's products by a specific customer, the potential revenue opportunity with any particular customer or in any market segment, the benefit's of Sandvine's products and services to be realized by customers, Sandvine's market position, future opportunities, product development plans and demand for Sandvine's products and services are forward looking statements, as are any statements relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Sandvine to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.   These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes in internal deployment strategies or plans by specific customers; the growth of broadband internet usage and levels of capital spending on broadband network management systems; the timing of orders and manufacturing lead times; changes in customer order patterns or customer mix; insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; increased competition in the broadband network equipment industry; dependence on the timely development and market acceptance of new product offerings and standards; rapid technological and market change; manufacturing and sourcing risks including dependence on key suppliers and key technologies; dependence upon indirect channel sales and resellers;  factors such as business and economic conditions and growth trends in the broadband network equipment industry and in various geographic regions; global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment including the impact of regulation related to the internet and the delivery of internet services. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions, and Sandvine does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. 

SOURCE: Sandvine Incorporated