NRS will make it easy to access a rich suite of communications services
13th February 2008, Barcelona, Spain: The GSM Association (GSMA), the global trade association for mobile operators, is preparing to pilot a service that will simplify the transmission of instant messages, MMS, emails, video and other Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications between mobile phones and between mobile and fixed-line phones.
Following a competitive evaluation process, the GSMA has selected the clearinghouse and directory services provider NeuStar to manage the service on the GSMA’s behalf.
Based on a Carrier ENUM approach, the GSMA, operators and NeuStar will pilot a Number Resolution Service (NRS) that automatically translates a phone number into an IP-based address, making it simple for users to initiate a wide range of IP-based communications via their existing phone numbers and contact books in their handsets. The system affords subscribers the same levels of control and privacy that they currently enjoy with existing telephone services.
The pilot will begin in the second quarter of 2008 as a forerunner to a commercial service to be launched later in the year. Participants in the pilot will include Bharti Airtel, mobilkom austria, Telekom Austria and Telenor. “Consumers are accustomed to making voice calls or sending text and picture messages using their existing phone numbers by simply selecting a contact from the menu in their handset,” said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer of the GSMA. “Our NRS service will enable operators to extend the universal reach and ease of use of phone numbers to a much wider range of IP-based services, such as Instant Messaging and Video Share.”
The GSMA’s NRS service is a so-called Private or Carrier ENUM solution and will include a global master root directory. This will enable operators to exchange ENUM data via a common commercial and technical framework, facilitating the rollout and interconnection of IP-services across network boundaries. Based on tried and trusted Domain Name Server (DNS) technology, this Carrier ENUM service will enable operators to route and exchange IP traffic of any kind using telephone numbers.
Supporting quotes:
“A proven global ENUM service is of vital importance for the whole mobile community, including Telenor’s mobile operators worldwide, when migrating to IP-based services on mobile,” said Stein Hansen, VP, Telenor.
“ENUM would help establish a convergent system of global communication. The IP and GSM technology convergence would create a revolution by opening the gates for a plethora of services and applications that are presently limited due to handset and network capabilities. ENUM would make the telephone number a universal means to link up with IP-based applications. Apart from a far richer variety of applications that ENUM would help enable, it can also be leveraged to create a collaborative ecosystem to route voice and data freely amongst operators.” said Dr Jai Menon, Director IT & Innovation, Bharti Airtel and Group CIO, Bharti Enterprises
Notes to Editors:
“Public” ENUM is an open Internet-based number translation directory where consumers can publish their addressing information.
“Private” or “Carrier” ENUM is an enabler used by operators to associate the phone numbers of subscribers with the IP addressing information of the subscriber’s IP-based services. This information is populated by the operator on behalf of the subscriber and is not made available to third parties except for the purposes of routing. The system enables IP-based calls and messages, addressed to a subscriber’s phone number, to be delivered.
The Number Resolution Service (NRS) is a managed service, based on Carrier ENUM, being piloted by the GSM Association.
The GSMA NRS service is designed to interwork with other Carrier ENUM services.
The GSMA NRS service is designed to co-exist with Public ENUM systems.
About the GSMA:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 700 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries and territories of the world. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association’s initiatives as key partners. The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers. The Association’s members serve more than 2.5 billion customers – 85% of the world’s mobile phone users.
For more information please contact:
Mark Smith or David Pringle
GSM Association
Email: [email protected]