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Starhome Receives Patents in USA and Mexico for its Local Roaming Number Solution

Wed, 09 May 2012 13:32:47 GMT

Zurich, Switzerland; 8 May 2012 – Starhome®, the leading provider of solutions to enable multi-network mobility, announced today that the innovative core technology of its Local Roaming Number™ (LRN) solution has been granted a patent in the USA and Mexico. The solution provides frequent roamers with a local number preferentially priced for local use, in addition to their home number, on the same handset.

The Starhome® Local Roaming Number™ solution allows operators to provide a local mobile number (MSISDN) to their inbound roamers used concurrently with the subscriber’s original MSISDN on the same handset. With a Local Roaming Number, roamers do not have to swap SIMs or carry extra phones or manage a local prepaid SIM. The seamless service is activated upon arrival by SMS in the subscriber’s native language. Local numbers are dynamically allocated and reserved for future visits for subscribers visiting the network on a regular basis.

The Local Roaming Number solution puts an end to roamers trying to avoid the high cost of international roaming. With low-cost incoming and outgoing calls to other travelers and local numbers, subscribers only need to carry their primary phone, with their address book available for both numbers. In addition, the Local Roaming Number optimizes routing between colleagues or family members.

The visited network benefits by attracting and retaining inbound roamers when offering better tariffs and control over charges. The solution also encourages more local network traffic. The home network also benefits as the home SIM remains active and continues to generate revenues from incoming calls, SMS, GRPS and MMS etc. Benefits for roamers include cost savings when they make calls to local numbers or other roamers in the visited country via their local MSISDN. The local presence allows them to be reached via a local number as well as to make and receive calls via both the home and local numbers.

Integration is fast and simple, which means operators can begin generating revenues and attracting roamers almost immediately.

Shlomo Wolfman, COO and co-founder at Starhome commented: “These patents are yet another milestone in Starhome’s extensive intellectual property portfolio, ultimately focused on benefitting our customers and theirs.”

-ENDS-

Starhome Releases New Product Suites to meet the Complex Challenges of Multi-Network Mobility

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:29:47 GMT

Zurich, Switzerland; 01 February 2012 – Starhome®, the leading provider of solutions to enable multi-network mobility, unveils a new strategy designed to dynamically adapt and react to the complex multi-network environment.

The increased use of smart phones, mobile applications and M2M, along with growing demands for extra bandwidth, is fueling the development of LTE networks and creating new challenges and opportunities. Standard roaming solutions will no longer be sufficient, requiring mobile operators to adopt a fresh approach to roaming in order to meeting their business goals.

Starhome is uniquely positioned to provide all the necessary components to meet the multi-network challenges. The company’s new suites combine the best features of its field-proven roaming solutions to maximize every revenue opportunity within the operator’s network.

The Fearless Data suite encourages data roaming usage and enables operators to offer an unrivaled personalized service. The suite builds and promotes optimally priced tariff packages, customized to individual needs and usage patterns to prevent bill shock and increase revenue. The MobilityPac suite offers a similar solution for general roaming including voice and SMS.

The Wholesale Maximizer suite provides operators with the ability to steer outbound traffic to preferred networks in support of wholesale commitments. Other features include recommendations by the analytical layer to control and manage their daily roaming business.

The M2M suite optimizes and manages embedded mobile device traffic on the network and ensures correct SIM registration according to device profile. The suite also cuts expenses by reducing the amount of signaling messages sent to the home network.

Ensuring Quality of Service during handover between networks is a critical component of the operator’s business. Starhome’s Quality of User Experience suite employs an innovative approach to performance monitoring, ensuring subscribers receive the best possible service at all times. The Roam4LTE suite provides upgrades from standard roaming value-added services (VAS) to LTE-ready solutions, enabling seamless delivery of VAS services for prepaid/postpaid, and inbound/outbound roamers. Traffic steering to preferred LTE networks is also included in the suite.

Shlomo Wolfman, COO and Co-Founder at Starhome explains, “The roaming landscape is changing, and as we move into the new era of multi-network mobility, core network capabilities will be merged together, requiring new, customized solutions designed to solve the operators’ evolving challenges. Starhome’s expertise and industry knowledge has enabled us to upscale our offering beyond traditional off-the shelf products to ‘suites of solutions’ designed to address the mobile operator’s current and future market challenges”.

-ENDS-

Starhome Predicts the Beginning of Major Changes to the Traditional Roaming Environment in 2012

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:38:01 GMT

Zurich, Switzerland; 2 January 2012 – Starhome®, the leading provider and acknowledged driving force behind roaming profitability for mobile network operators, predicts the fast growing technological progress within the industry is creating a new multi-network environment that will change roaming as we know it.

New technologies and usage patterns have sky rocketed in the last few years, causing an unprecedented demand on networks. To accommodate these new demands, mobile network operators are turning their attention and resources to invest in Long Term Evolution (LTE) to cope with the demands of extra bandwidth. The increasing use of smart devices, mobile applications and content, as well as the snowballing development of M2M devices will all influence operators decisions to be a part of the expanding multi-network roaming environment.

Solutions and services will need to be LTE ready to enable subscribers to roam in ‘islands’ of LTE within 3G and WiFi networks. For instance, when a 3G roamer passes through an LTE network, a fall-back procedure for 3G phones is triggered to ensure service is maintained. To support this multi-network mobility, operators will require innovative, intelligent solutions that can dynamically adapt and react to the ever changing environment to raise the revenue bar and maintain subscriber satisfaction.

Shlomo Wolfman, Co-Founder & COO at Starhome explained, “Multi-network mobility will open new opportunities and new challenges for industry players. Legacy off-the-shelf products are no longer sufficient to meet the expanding mobile environment and increase operator revenues. Business management tools including decision-making solutions with massive integrated data analytics will become the tool of choice to combine with products already provided to the industry.”

Multi-network challenges are further complicated by the current industry trends: Regulations, data usage, bill shock and operator’s attempts to instil fearless roaming in their subscribers. Operators will need solutions for multi-networks that will work as they should when they should to gain the competitive edge in this emerging environment.

Starhome offers LTE ready solutions to tackle the new multi-network challenges as well as today’s trends, which will carry-over well into 2012. Our complete solutions enable operators to offer the best data packages, using segmentation for subscribers, as well as full support for wholesale and retail. M2M (Machine-to-Machine) solutions are also available to control embedded mobile devices and machines within the networks.

-ENDS-

Starhome is selected as one of this year's Red Herring Top 100 Global Winners

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:45:45 GMT

Zurich, Switzerland, 13th December, 2011 – Starhome®, the leading provider and acknowledged driving force of roaming services for mobile network operators, announced today that it has been awarded the honor for its innovation and technology in the roaming telecom industry.
Red Herring’s Global 100 list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising companies and entrepreneurs. Red Herring editors were among the first to recognize that companies such as Google, Skype, Baidu, Salesforce.com, YouTube, eBay and many others would change the way we live and work.

Eitan Achlow, CEO at Starhome commented: "We are extremely proud to have been given this award. It is our continuous efforts, innovation and vision, that brought us so far and will continue to take us much further in the future. Our employees’ exceptional team spirit and drive to develop the best possible solutions for the industry is a main ingredient behind Starhome”.

Red Herring’s editorial staff evaluated the companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, management quality, strategy, and market penetration. This assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the track record and standing of each company relative to their sector peers, allowing Red Herring to see past the “buzz” and make the list an invaluable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the greatest business opportunities from around the world.

“Choosing the best out of the previous two years was by no means a small feat,” said Alex Vieux, Chairman of Red Herring. “After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed down our list from 1,100 potential companies to 100 winners. It was an extremely difficult process. Starhome should be extremely proud of its achievement; the competition for the Top 100 was fierce. The Top 100 Global are truly the best of the best.”

Starhome Adds Three Powerful New Modules to its OMNYX Service

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:11:18 GMT

^{Zurich, Switzerland, 28 June 2011

–

Starhome®, the leading provider and acknowledged driving force of roaming services for mobile network operators, has announced that it has added a new suite of modules to its OMNYX™ service. The new modules further advance the service by providing across-the-board expansion into all areas of dynamic roaming activities.}

^{OMNYX, released at the end of 2010, was received with much enthusiasm by mobile operators. The holistic analytical tool, designed specifically for the roaming manager, is a virtual roaming business consultant offering real-time monitoring of revenues, profits and profitability, including analysis of revenue and usage effects, to name a few.}

^{Starhome's new OMNYX modules include:}

^{Quality Optimization

- A Global Roaming Quality compliant module that supports roaming quality of service for voice, SMS and data. Global Roaming Quality compliant guarantees that the new module meets the standards set within the GSM's Global Roaming Quality guidelines to assure roaming service quality, which means mobile operators benefit by being able to integrate quality of service into their roaming environment. Quality Optimization facilitates the simple correlation of service problems against revenue loss and then determines the appropriate course of action. Quality Optimization also tracks preferred networks to assure the best quality in upholding commitment agreements.}

^{Roaming Assurance

– Assures roaming revenue by making it easier to track and compare real-time traffic to billing records. The module efficiently identifies and plugs any possible revenue leakage. Roaming Assurance also ensures coordination of all current roaming agreement phases.}

^{Wholesale Maximizer

– Manages and optimizes the IOT (Inter Operator Tariff) discount agreement process and enables better advanced planning of IOT negotiations. In addition, the Wholesale Maximizer helps the roaming manager better track wholesale revenue, profit and credit notes.}

^{Shlomo Wolman, Co-Founder & COO at Starhome explained: "Our vast knowledge in the roaming market allows us to continually improve and enhance our products and services. Our in-house Global Services Operations Center (GSOC) plays a major role in assisting us in recognizing corners of the market that have not been completely utilized to the fullest extent. Today, the roaming industry is all about effortless roaming, for both the operator and the customer. Our additional suite of modules offers improved know-how to deal with dynamic roaming behavior and will bring into line the current differences between global roaming and domestic roaming to create the same user experience".}

Starhome's New Roaming Call Optimizer Solution Enables Optimal Rerouting of Outbound Calls

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:33:03 GMT

^{Zurich, Switzerland, 15 June 2011

–

Starhome®, the leading provider and acknowledged driving force of roaming services for mobile network operators, has announced the release of its Roaming Call Optimizer. The solution
transfers control of routing outbound calls to the home network operator
, for both prepaid and postpaid subscribers.}

^{Currently, mobile operators are missing an opportunity to increase their revenue margins as outbound roamers’ calls are routed directly by the visited network to international carriers and then on to their final destination. Standard routing of these calls entails high IOT (Inter Operator Tariff) charges, leaving the home operators with no choice but to charge higher rates to their subscribers.}

^{The Starhome® Roaming Call Optimizer™ solution enables home network operators to capitalize on existing interconnection tariffs by rerouting calls via the most commercially beneficial route reducing the cost of international dialing.}

^{Gilad Cohen, VP Products at Starhome explained: "The rerouting activity is completely transparent to both the subscriber and the visited network, resulting in uninterrupted service and a smooth user experience."}

^{The solution works by rerouting the calls made by outbound roamers to the local country gateway in the visited country and then onto its final destination via an alternative backbone provided by Starhome's international carrier partner. The rerouting logic is performed utilizing Starhome’s Roaming Call Optimizer CAMEL control platform. The solution also guarantees delivery of the CLI (Calling Line Identification) or phone number of the caller, which is often not available for international calls.}

Starhome selected as one of this year's Red Herring Top 100 Europe

Tue, 31 May 2011 13:53:55 GMT

Zurich, Switzerland, May 30, 2011 – Starhome®, the leading provider and acknowledged driving force of roaming services for mobile network operators, was selected for the award for its innovation and technology in the roaming telecom industry.

Eitan Achlow, CEO at Starhome commented: "We are extremely proud to have been given this award for the second time. There are several reasons we were chosen, one of which is our ability, diligence, and substantial investment in our R&D to make sure our customers are equipped with innovative market-driven solutions to maximizing their revenues. We will continue to grow to reach even greater heights in the industry"

Starhome's recent contributions to the roaming industry have included several new solutions and services developed to capitalize on new market trends. Solutions which include Local Roaming Data, provides lower-priced local roaming data packages - Sparx, is a dynamic interactive roamers’ marketing and relations management tool - and a new service, OMNYX, the integrative roaming management and innovation tool, developed exclusively for the roaming manager.

“Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat,” said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. “After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across Europe to the Top 100 Winners. We believe Starhome embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. Starhome should be proud of its accomplishment, as the competition was very strong.”

Red Herring’s lists of top private companies are an important part of the publication’s tradition of identifying new and innovative technology companies and entrepreneurs. Red Herring’s editorial staff rigorously evaluated several hundred private companies through a careful analysis of financial data and subjective criteria, including quality of management, execution of strategy, and dedication to research and development.

Starhome Selected as Finalist For The Red Herring 100 Europe 2011

Tue, 24 May 2011 13:42:00 GMT

Zurich, Switzerland, May 17, 2011 – Starhome®, the leading provider and acknowledged driving force of roaming services for mobile network operators, has today announced that it has been named a finalist of the Red Herring 100 Europe, an award given to the top 100 private technology companies each year.

Eitan Achlow, CEO at Starhome commented: "Starhome has built a strong reputation in the market for innovative products and services. We are constantly identifying new market trends which we use to create new offerings, aimed at helping our customers to maintain a dynamic and competitive edge in the industry.” Mr. Achlow continued: "From our small beginning as a startup and with the backing of our customers, Starhome has steadily grown and matured into a company that has become a roaming industry leader. We are proud to have had our efforts recognized and delighted to be announced as a Red Herring 100 Europe finalist."

Red Herring’s lists of top private companies are an important part of the publication’s tradition of identifying new and innovative technology companies and entrepreneurs.

"This year was very rewarding," said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. "The global economic situation has abated and there are many great companies producing really innovative and amazing products. We had a very difficult time narrowing the pool and selecting the finalists. Starhome shows great promise and therefore deserves to be among the Finalists. Now we’re faced with the difficult task of selecting the Top 100 winners of Red Herring Europe. We know that the 2011 crop will grow into some amazing companies that are sure to make an impact."

Finalists for the 2011 edition of the Red Herring 100 Europe award are selected based upon their technological innovation, management strength, market size, investor record, customer acquisition, and financial health. During the several months leading up to the announcement, hundreds of companies in the telecommunications, security, Web 2.0, software, hardware, biotech, mobile and other industries completed their submissions to qualify for the award.

Starhome sets new standard with the release of its Local Roaming Data solution

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:51:52 GMT

Zurich, Switzerland; 9 February, 2011 – Starhome®, the leading provider and acknowledged driving force behind roaming profitability for mobile network operators, is pleased to announce the release of its Local Data Roaming™ solution.
The current boom in global data usage has been fuelled by a shift in subscriber usage, where the need to stay connected while roaming is even more important than when in the home environment. Accessing data services to connect to email, favorite social networking sites and the Internet have become mainstream activities for today’s roamers. Roaming data usage has also been further empowered by new tablets and other large-screen mobile devices that enhance the experience of roamers on the move. Super data users are now more aware of the dangers of bill shock, and, in an effort to avoid sky-high bills on returning home, have opted to make extensive use of Wi-Fi and other such services, which are not always available and cannot be consumed while on the go.

To compete with the Wi-Fi challenge and protect subscribers from bill shock, VPMNs (Visited Public Mobile Network) need a solution that can combine low-cost access to data services and promote products and benefits to increase their inbound market share and create new revenue streams.

The Starhome® Local Roaming Data™ solution provides operators with the ability to offer lower-priced, local roaming data packages for inbound roamers to eliminate potential bill shock. The solution also enables the VPMN to offer attractive pricing packages, which are similar to local charges. One of the main advantages of the solution is that it allows roamers to roam with any mobile device, without having to replace SIM cards or switch devices.

The solution fills a niche in the roaming market for an alternative solution for communicating with inbound roamers. With the Local Roaming Data solution, visited networks are able to offer packages, promotions and location-based services together with discounted offerings of third-party vendors, encouraging opt-in by roamers. Seamless access to the roamer’s home portal is done in the usual way.

Initial registration for the service is quick and simple and is offered on the roamer’s first attempt to set up a roaming data connection, using a mobile phone, laptop, tablet etc. The solution is equipped with SMS notifications to warn subscribers if they inadvertently move to another network that does not provide the service and increases potential voice and SMS revenues from inbound roamers.

The service works by eliminating visited-to-home-network traffic while the GRX intermediary allows the VPMN to offer local data plans for inbound roamers, which improves the quality of service for subscriber data consumption.

”Communication with inbound roamers is a valuable method of attracting new roamers to the visited network, as it offers them additional new services as well as information,” said Amit Daniel, VP Marketing at Starhome. “The Local Roaming Data solution differentiates the visited network from the competition and enables the visited network to define which home networks are targeted for this offering. Home networks with which the visited network does not have any data roaming agreements in place are potential candidates to extend the existing the voice and SMS coverage.”

Starhome Predicts a Rise in Roaming Data Usage and Revenue-based Steering of Roaming for 2011-2012

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:21:58 GMT

Zurich, Switzerland; 5 January, 2011 – Starhome®, the leading provider and acknowledged driving force behind roaming profitability for mobile network operators, is predicting a further rise in roaming data usage together with an increase in revenue-based steering of roaming solutions throughout 2011 and 2012.

There are several reasons for the continued rise in roaming data usage. The first being that 3G smart phones allow for higher efficiency and network capabilities while roaming, the second is fuelled by the subscriber’s constant need to Tweet, Share, surf the net and check emails while roaming. However, even with this new lifestyle, bill shock remains a primary concern for subscribers.

Operators, in a bid to maintain the momentum of increased data usage, but also reduce bill shock, are offering expanded roaming data services bundled into packages based on the subscriber’s usage patterns or even their mobile handset model. Price elasticity can also reveal how responsive customers are to price changes - Europe has shown that if prices are set to match elasticity, data roaming revenues can increase without an overall increase in price.

The use of Steering of Roaming (SoR) solutions, in particular, revenue-based, is also set to increase in the coming years. Revenue-based solutions focus specifically on revenue goals in terms of voice, data and SMS. Starhome’s Next Generation Intelligent Preferred Network® (NG IPN) solution identifies data-oriented user patterns and dynamically steers inbound roamers to the operator’s preferred network.

Amit Daniel, VP of Marketing at Starhome, commented “Operators can cultivate the growing data roaming market and encourage data roaming usage by offering their roamers out-of-the-box data roaming bundles to alleviate the fear of bill shock. Steering data roamers to a preferred network has increased and is expected to continue, with the release of the revenue-based steering of roaming solution. The NG IPN ensures execution of set goals for data and voice during a set time and is also an excellent tool for better negotiating roaming and IOT (inter-operator tariff) agreements”.