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News
Issue #2002 - 06
(February 2002)
(Updated Feb.
13, 2002)
INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Be on the Look Out for Avian
Communications
One wireless start-up
company attracting considerable attention is Avian Communications of
Marlborough, Mass. The company is rooted in the belief that the
future of wireless networking lies in enabling the ongoing creation
of wireless data services that will be relevant and profitable for
operators, not just for this and the next-generation, but for
generations to come.
While operators are focused on the deployment of 2.5G and 3G
networks, they should not lose sight of "how to make money off
data," Jules Meunier, CEO of Avian Communications, told EE
Times.
Realizing the challenges facing operators, Avian has created a
new category of advanced intelligent mobile data infrastructure
equipment known as Mobile Services Switching Platform (MSSP), which
integrates existing wireless networking and intelligent networks
with next-generation IP networks. The company says MSSP will not
only protect and enhance existing 2.5G investment but also allow for
the migration to 3G and 4G networks.
This new category is analogous to Service Switching Points, or
SSPs, in traditional telephony networks which enabled advanced
intelligent network services such as 800 numbers, 900 numbers,
Caller ID and Caller Name.
Instead of looking to revenue models that are subscriber-based
with either a charge-per minute or a charge per-bit, Avian is
advocating for a new class of payment where content providers will
pay for the service, called Avian Intelligent Mobile Services
(AIMS). According to the company, AIMS is a hardware/software scheme
that is designed to generate profits from packets.
Avian Intelligent Mobile Services (AIMS)
Avian is proposing AIMS’ Packet800, in which a content
provider will pay for all of the wireless subscriber’s usage fees
and pay operators to sponsor its site. This would require the
implementation of real-time billing through a network component, or
a box, that sits next to the GPRS gateway service node to monitor
all the content passing between the customer and the content
provider.
"Our box is simply an add-on with all the connections
required and we’re not re-provisioning the customer," Meunier
told EE Times.
Other AIMS Revenue Models
- Packet FreePay, where the network operator is also the service
provider
- Packet Sponsor, which subsidizes user access to services or
content by third-parties
- Packet Prime 900, in which the operator bills a user for
services from a third party.
A privately held company, Avian Communications has secured a
total of $22-million from St. Paul Venture Capital, Argo Global
Capital, Nokia Venture Partners, Wasserstein Ventures, YankeeTek
Ventures and Clarity Capital.
For more information: http://www.aviancommunications.com
(Additional source EE Times)
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: Avian
may help the network operators in giving them better administration and
billing tools for third-party content that will sell. It does not help
in creating good content that consumers will like. It does not help the
enterprise. So it does not address fundamental problem of
value-proposition for wireless applications. It is a niche
administrative solution that network operators do need but will not help
them sell more traffic.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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