ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Verso Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRSO), a global provider of next-generation network solutions, and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), the global leader in broadband satellite services and solutions, today announced that they have successfully concluded inter-operability testing of the Verso NetPerformer(r) solution over the Hughes broadband satellite platform. As a result, Verso's optimized NetPerformer satellite solution is now being offered to wireless carriers worldwide for GSM and CDMA backhaul applications.
The combined Hughes and Verso solution has already resulted in new customer wins. To date, a major Mexican telecom carrier has received initial delivery of the integrated solution to connect remote base stations, and a customer in the Middle East has installed the solution at 25 locations for VoIP services. These networks are expected to grow significantly over the next 12 months.
Verso conducted the tests over satellite using a Hughes HX System and its NetPerformer solution. Successful interconnection was demonstrated between a remote GSM BTS (Base Transceiver Station) and a GSM BSC (Base Station Controller), and involved multiple simultaneous phone calls supporting various voice codec rates as well as different handsets. This successful interoperability is significant as satellite offers the best transport mechanism for rural and remote cell sites. As cellular operators expand their service infrastructures in rural areas, a combination of challenging geography and lightly loaded traffic density makes satellite the natural choice for connectivity to these remote cell sites.
The Verso NetPerformer GSM backhaul solution reduces the cost of the network infrastructure between cell towers, base station controllers, and mobile switching centers by optimizing bandwidth for several GSM interfaces such as A.bis, which enables a superior return on investment without sacrificing quality of service (QoS).
"As the cellular industry grows to the next billion subscribers, the challenge will be to economically reach rural and remote areas. With the Verso GSM backhaul solution over the Hughes satellite platform, we bring a cost-effective solution to cellular operators, enabling them to reach these hard-to-serve locations via satellite," said Ramesh Ramaswamy, assistant vice president at Hughes.
"Having successfully completed integration testing with Hughes, we can now offer an optimized NetPerformer cellular backhaul solution that addresses the critical challenges faced by wireless providers globally. In addition, opportunities exist to position the new joint solution with Hughes' significant installed base of broadband satellite service providers to help wireless operators reduce costs while maintaining QoS," said Tim Peyla, vice president, Verso Technologies. "We believe that this integrated solution presents a strong value proposition to all wireless operators, whether for fixed or mobile, voice or data applications."
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet(r) encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.2 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Its broadband satellite products are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com.
About Verso Technologies
Verso is a global provider of next generation network solutions offering a core-to-edge product portfolio primarily for telecommunications service providers. The company's products enable its customers to secure and optimize network bandwidth, generate additional revenue and reduce costs. Verso's applications and services are cost effective, deploy quickly and provide a superior return on investment. For more information, contact Verso at www.verso.com or call 678.589.3500.
Forward Looking Statements
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