Nokia is introducing a network solution that lets operators control the use of network resources by bandwidth-hungry applications such as file sharing and Voice over IP telephony — giving operators the tools to maintain better control over their networks.Â
The Peer-to-peer Traffic Control is the industry’s first integrated solution to allow mobile operators to profitably manage the bandwidth available for peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic, and thus balance the allocation of network resources. The centralized solution is implemented as a software upgrade to the Nokia Flexi Intelligent Service Node (ISN) and will be commercially available during the first half of 2007.Â
“With the explosion of affordable high-speed mobile data access, operators are now being challenged to make the best possible use of their networks, especially when peer-to-peer applications increase their traffic load and compete with their own services,” says Roberto Loiola, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Networks, Nokia. “The Peer-to-peer Traffic Control solution now gives operators the means to analyse and manage such traffic. It allows them to apply their business models by prioritizing the traffic of preferred services and partners, maximize their return on network investment, and avoid becoming only bit pipes for other content providers.”Â
The solution enhances the service, subscriber, and access awareness capabilities of the Flexi ISN to identify data traffic according to the type of service, for example file sharing, so that operators can treat that traffic in a way that best optimizes the use of network resources according to the operators’ business strategy.Â
The company will demonstrate the Peer-to-peer Traffic Control solution at Nokia World, the premier mobility event of the year in Amsterdam on November 29 and 30. It recently concluded its 50th commercial Flexi ISN deal, cementing its leadership in the Intelligent Packet Core market. The Flexi ISN, introduced in February 2004, is a high-availability, high-capacity connectivity and control element that offers service availability for mobile users independent of the access method. It acts as a centralized control point for data services, providing cellular network users with data connectivity. It also offers open interfaces to charging, provisioning subscription management systems.
