Software radio developer Vanu, Inc. and Globecomm Systems Inc. has unwrapped a joint solution designed to bring a turnkey, multi-standard wireless offering to rural wireless operators. The Vanu/Globecomm solution will enable carriers to simultaneously support both GSM and CDMA from a hosted switch service so that operators don’t have to invest in a mobile switching center (MSC) nor will they have to replicate radio access network (RAN) hardware for each new technology they add to their service offering, said the developers. The Vanu/Globecomm solution makes this an affordable and highly flexible investment that optimizes the network today and for future expansion, according to Vanu.

The two companies are collaborating to provide rural operators with a solution that minimizes upfront capital expenditures by making Globecomm’s SatCell HST hosted switch solution available to each carrier. The economics of this offering are only further enhanced by Vanu’s Anywave software radio technology which enables new wireless standards and system capacity to be added via remote software downloads, thereby eliminating numerous, costly cell site field service visits. The combined solution also allows operators to accelerate time-to-market for new services while taking advantage of lower cost IP-based backhaul, decreased real estate and utility expense, and ongoing operating expense reductions associated with remote monitoring capabilities. The companies also deliver full turnkey implementation from system test to installation, commercial deployment and 24/7 support services for all hardware and software components.

“Through the combined efforts of Globecomm Systems and Vanu, we will provide rural carriers with an opportunity to expand their networks and customer base – as well as their revenues – without the tremendous costs associated with building new networks, or replacing existing networks, to support ever-changing communications standards,” said John Winn, executive VP of sales and marketing at Vanu.

“At Globecomm Systems, we will focus on the hardware and hosted switching service, while Vanu will continue to deliver ‘industry first’ advantages to the carrier through its software radio solution,” said Steve Yablonski, VP of sales and marketing with Globecomm. “Combined, our innovative technologies and philosophies for customer support, will give smaller carriers the edge in the ever-changing wireless marketplace. By offering multiple standards on a single platform with a cost-effective hosted MSC service, rural carriers can easily keep pace with new technology offerings, while increasing their roaming agreements to earn additional roaming revenues in the process. At the same time, running multiple software-based technologies in a single rack of equipment means a smaller footprint, fewer maintenance issues and an economic path to the future– all critical benefits for rural operators.”