Written by Jeff Owen | Feb 28, 2015 5:00:00 AM
Universal user directory will enable billions of consumers to connect with each other using instant messaging, voice and video
GENBAND™, a leading developer of real time communications software solutions, today announced its plans to form the
fring Alliance, a global Over-the-Top (OTT) platform enabling Communications Service Providers (CSPs) to provide instant messaging, voice and video services to their subscribers, who could number in the billions. The fring Alliance will enable service providers to expand and extend additional value to their customers via native messaging, voice and video OTT features and experiences, using their mobile number on any device, on any network while also fully interoperating with Rich Communications Services (RCS). All of this and more can be delivered in a matter of days, rather than months or years, while creating and leveraging a universal user directory. Members of the Alliance will gain ownership, and have a stake in the platform they are creating, benefitting financially from their investment in the community. For more than a decade, service providers have faced competition from OTT challengers like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, Line, WeChat and QQ, who built their business on the CSPs’ networks. According to Juniper Research, social media, IM and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) substitution are the primary culprits of lost revenue, estimated at $14 billion in 2014. “Service providers have been seeking ways to effectively compete against OTT players for quite some time now,” said Jim Patterson, Chief Executive Officer, Patterson Advisory Group. “The fring Alliance offers a very innovative way for the CSPs to not only compete, but also gain back market share, maintain consumer loyalty and reduce churn in the competitive OTT space. This is a very bold move by GENBAND and it couldn’t have come at a better time for service providers.” By federating its subscribers, the fring Alliance enables its members’ subscribers to reach friends and family on a shared directory. Multiple CSPs have expressed interest in the fring Alliance, to extend their network reach and gain distinct advantages compared to stand-alone OTT services, such as:
- Consumers can enjoy the convenience of a single phone number, even when roaming.
- CSPs can provide their subscribers with a single billing plan.
- Consumers enjoy access to the most intuitive and advanced user experience, such as multi-party video, one-touch photo sharing, co-browsing and collaboration, across any network via any device on any screen.
- CSPs can develop customized marketing business plans and bundled services to create the most business value and brand value since fring is fully white-label ready.
“By creating a universal user database, the fring Alliance brings together family and friends across carrier networks, while at the same time maintaining the subscriber relationship and building a social presence,” said David Walsh, GENBAND’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Additional Resources:
- The fring Alliance provides service providers (including fixed, cable, mobile and Mobile Virtual Network Operators and OEMs) a turn-key OTT service offering for texting, rich media messaging, voice and video real time communications to their subscriber base.
- An estimated 12 billion Internet-connected devices will be used worldwide by the end of the year – that is an average of 1.7 devices for every person on the planet. Strategy Analytics forecasts that number hitting 33 billion devices by 2020.
GENBAND AT
MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS 2015
: Hall 2, Booth 2I31.