By Telecom Lead Team: F5 Networks, a provider of
Application Delivery Networking, is set to acquire Traffix Systems, a provider
of 4G Diameter signaling products for mobile service providers.
The acquisition is significant as the Diameter protocol
has gained acceptance by the 3GPP and GSMA as the standard for network
signaling in all 4G/LTE networks. Service providers need deployment strategies
based on robust, telco-grade Diameter routing for the deluge of signaling
messages in their network.
The Diameter protocol plays a key role in the management
of 4G LTE and IMS networks and 3G charging and policy deployments. Diameter
control via routing, load balancing and gateway solutions are critical to
building and monetizing networks by enabling them to offer advanced 4G
services.
Leading industry experts and service providers recognize
the need for converged and unified IP solutions across carriers’ control, data,
and application planes, which scale, secure, and optimize 3G, 4G/LTE, and IMS
traffic,” said John McAdam, president and CEO of F5 Networks.
The result is a reduction of complexity and costs, making
service provider networks more agile. With this move, F5 continues to execute
on the company’s vision of delivering an adaptable architecture to enable its
customers to create a smart, converged carrier IP infrastructure.
Diameter traffic is mission critical for any carrier
moving to 4G/LTE and IMS architectures. It enables billing, subscriber
management, and interoperability between core IP systems and between carriers
themselves,” said John Byrne, research director Wireless and Mobile
Infrastructure service at IDC.
Bringing together F5’s superior expertise in IP for
applications and data with Traffix’s industry leadership in Diameter and
signaling for the control plane, F5 has the unique depth and breadth to make
the transition from 3G to 4G and IMS much simpler, cost effective, and
non-disruptive for carriers,” said Ben Volkow, CEO of Traffix Systems.
